Why Did My Canary Stop Singing?

Canaries are a favorite among first time bird owners as they are easy to feed, train, and require minimal maintenance. These small pet birds are commonly known for the beautiful music they make, but can run into problems that silence their songs. There are several reasons for a canary to stop singing, including health and gender problems. As a canary owner, recognizing odd behavior or new symptoms from your pet bird is the first step to determining why your canary has stopped singing. The following reasons are the most common causes of a silent bird.

New Environment

If you've recently brought your new canary home after seeing it sing beautifully in a pet store cage, the new environment may be the reason for his absent singing. Allow two to three weeks for the canary to settle into his new cage and adjust to family members and his surroundings. Supply fresh food and water daily, as well as occasional treats. Place the cage into a well lit room that is out of direct sun light and drafts.

Gender

Female canaries, also known as hens, will typically stop singing after experiencing their first molt. Hens may try to sing by mimicking the sounds that she hears from a male canary. For this reason, a female canary may be mistaken for a male canary when sold to a new owner. Although a physical examination can be completed to determine a male from a female, it's difficult to tell which is which unless you are an expert in this field or contact an avian veterinarian. Purchase a canary from a breeder to reassure your bird is male.

Molting

Molting generally occurs during the summer season for a two month period. During this molting period when the canary loses old feathers and grows new ones, they tend to stop singing. Molting can occur once a year or several times per year. Commonly, molting is triggered by excess sun light. To keep your canary's molting schedule on tract, it's recommended that bird owners cover the cage with a breathable blanket from dusk to dawn.

Health Concerns

If you have eliminated all other possibilities, the cause of your canary's loss of song could be from poor health. Illnesses, injuries, or poor health can all lead to your canary's unusual behavior. Signs and symptoms of an ill or injured canary can include, but is not limited to, underweight, overweight, pain caused by long toenails, seizures, no or sluggish flying, not eating and/or drinking, and puffed feathers. If you see any of the mentioned signs of illness or injury, it's essential to bring your pet canary to the vet immediately.

References

- Why Doesn't My Canary Sing? -Canary Food to Aid Your Canary in Song