Canary

About the species

The canary (Serinus canaria forma domestica) is the domesticated form of the Atlantic canary, a small songbird from the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. According to Meander Valley Veterinary Service, an adult domestic canary averages 12.5–14 cm in length and about 20–22 g in weight, and the Merck Veterinary Manual gives a lifespan of up to 15 years with good care. Unlike parrots, it does not seek to be handled – what it offers its keeper is song and lively movement around its space.

VCA Animal Hospitals states that birds from these islands were brought to Europe in the 15th century. Since then breeders have developed many varieties from the wild, mostly greenish, streaked bird; the yellow canary is the best known today, but by no means the only one.

Singing is mainly a male trait

If you want a canary for its song, choose a male. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that males often have a lovely song, which is how they are distinguished from females, and VCA describes males as generally the better singers. Females do call, but long, developed songs should not be expected from them.

Song is not constant: according to the vets at Meander Valley, stress, moulting, illness or simply a new environment can suppress it. A canary that falls silent for no such reason is worth a check-up with an avian vet.

Colour, type and song canaries

Domestic canaries are not one uniform bird. The Merck Veterinary Manual divides them into three main groups: colour-bred canaries, bred for their colours including yellow; type canaries, bred for their shape and feathering; and song canaries, bred for their song patterns. When choosing a bird, ask the breeder which group it comes from, as they differ in appearance and singing style; the measurements above describe an average canary, and some type breeds differ noticeably.

A bird to watch, not to cuddle

A canary suits a keeper who enjoys watching and listening to a bird rather than holding it. The Merck Veterinary Manual says canaries and finches like to be on their own, do not enjoy being held and are happy just singing in their cages. That sets it apart from a budgerigar or cockatiel, which often seek contact with people.

When a canary has to be caught, for example for a health check, the RSPCA recommends a small, soft, pale-coloured cloth rather than bare hands for canaries and other small birds. VCA notes that young and hand-raised birds adapt more readily to people and new surroundings.

Flight space matters more than cage décor

A canary exercises mainly by flying, so its cage should be as long as possible, not just tall. Meander Valley Veterinary Service gives a minimum cage size of 30 × 30 × 60 cm. The RSPCA advises that the height, width and depth of the cage should be at least twice the bird's wingspan if it spends most of its time in the cage (at least one and a half times if it spends most of its time outside); for birds under 50 g – canaries are named explicitly – the space should grow by 5% for each bird beyond the first two.

The RSPCA also recommends at least six hours a day outside the cage for pet birds, with room to fly freely and safely. For a canary that is not handled, a larger indoor aviary is often the easier way to provide this. Keep the room free of draughts and give the cage several natural wooden perches of different thicknesses.

Alone, in a pair or in an aviary

A canary can live alone, in a pair or in a group – the right choice depends on the space available and the sex of the birds. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes canaries as territorial and says they prefer to be housed alone or in mated pairs. The RSPCA, on the other hand, lists canaries among species that can live in social groups in a large aviary or a large cage adapted to the species.

For a mixed-species aviary, the RSPCA requires the birds to be compatible (able to get along without fighting) and all able to fly well.

Place the cage so that cats and dogs have no unsupervised access to it.

Diet: pellets and greens, not seed alone

An all-seed diet is not enough for a canary. VCA recommends pellets for about 75–80% of the diet and fruit, vegetables and leafy greens for about 20–25%; most canaries do well on 1–2 teaspoons of food per bird per day. The RSPCA adds fresh, washed greens such as dandelion, chickweed or groundsel.

According to VCA, canaries should not be offered grit or gravel, and avocado is potentially toxic to some birds and should never be fed. Fresh, clean water must always be available.

Health: mites, feather cysts and canarypox

Canaries can be affected by a few conditions that are worth knowing about. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that the mite Sternostoma tracheacolum most often parasitises the respiratory tract of canaries and Gouldian finches; heavy infections may cause audible laboured breathing with clicking, sneezing, tail bobbing and open-mouthed breathing. Knemidokoptes mites can cause crusts on the legs and toes of canaries.

According to the same manual, feather cysts are especially common in certain canaries and can be hereditary. Canarypox, a viral disease, is spread mainly by mosquitoes. Merck notes that mosquito control and indoor housing are vital to prevent outbreaks. Regular check-ups with an avian vet help pick up problems early.

How long a canary lives

With good care, a canary lives a relatively long time for such a small bird. Meander Valley Veterinary Service gives an average lifespan of 6–10 years with a maximum of 20, and the Merck Veterinary Manual lists up to 15 years for canaries. Plan for a decade or more of care before deciding.

Pros & cons