EXPERIENCE ROXY'S PET SHOP CARE SHEETS

• Cage Size: Canaries are small, but they are active and need space to move around. The minimum recommended cage size for one canary is 18 inches wide x 18 inches deep x 24 inches high. However, larger cages are always better, as they allow for more movement and exercise.
• Bar Spacing: The spacing between the bars should be ½ inch to ¾ inch to prevent your canary from escaping or getting stuck.
• Location: Place the cage in a well-lit area where your canary can see the outside world but not in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Avoid areas with drafts, extreme temperature fluctuations, or noisy environments. It’s best to keep the cage in a quiet, peaceful part of your home where your bird can feel safe.
• Perches: Provide a variety of perches to promote foot health and exercise. Use natural wood perches (such as from fruit trees like apple or pear), and avoid perches that are too smooth or plastic. The perches should be of varying sizes to allow your canary to stretch and exercise its feet.
• Toys & Enrichment: Canaries are active, and while they aren’t as playful as parrots, they still need enrichment to stay happy. Provide small toys, bells, swings, and shreddable items like untreated wood or paper. Canaries also enjoy foraging activities—you can hide their food in different parts of the cage to encourage natural behaviors.

• Seeds: Canaries primarily eat seed mixes designed specifically for small birds. A good seed mix will include a variety of millets, canary seed, and other small seeds. Avoid seed mixes that are too high in sunflower seeds, as they are fatty and nutritionally imbalanced.
• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables: Supplement their diet with fresh, safe fruits and vegetables. Good options include apples, carrots, spinach, kale, peas, cucumber, and berries. Avoid offering avocado, onions, and citrus fruits, as they can be toxic to birds.
• Egg Food: During breeding season or molting, canaries benefit from additional protein in their diet, such as egg food (which is made from egg, vegetables, and seeds). You can offer it occasionally, especially when your bird needs extra nutrients.
• Fresh Water: Always provide clean, fresh water. Change the water daily to ensure it remains free of bacteria.
• Cuttlebone & Minerals: Canaries benefit from cuttlebone or mineral blocks to provide essential calcium. This is especially important for females, particularly if they are breeding or laying eggs.

• Companionship: Canaries are typically solitary birds in the wild, and they don’t require another canary for companionship. However, some canaries can enjoy the company of other canaries if housed together, but be mindful of territorial behavior, especially during breeding season. They can live happily alone, especially if they receive regular attention from you.
• Bonding: Canaries are not typically known for being cuddly or affectionate, like parrots, but they can still recognize their owners. They may enjoy singing in the presence of their favorite human or sitting on a perch while you’re nearby. Many canaries enjoy human company, but they are generally more independent.
• Training: Unlike parrots, canaries are not typically trained to interact with humans in the same way (such as learning tricks or words). However, they can be trained to come to you if you regularly spend time with them and offer rewards, like treats. Training them to respond to your voice can be a bonding experience.
• Singing: One of the highlights of keeping a canary is their beautiful singing. Males are the primary singers, and they often sing to attract a mate. Canaries are known for their melodious songs, which can be soothing and joyful. You can encourage singing by providing a quiet, safe space with adequate lighting and by playing soft music or mimicking sounds to inspire them.

• Feather Care: Canaries are excellent self-groomers, but they still require some attention. Light misting or a shallow dish of water for bathing can help keep their feathers in good condition. Canaries often enjoy bathing, so providing a shallow dish or a gentle misting once a week can help them stay clean and healthy.
• Nail & Beak Care: Canaries naturally wear down their nails and beaks through normal activities. However, check their nails periodically, as they may need to be trimmed if they get too long. Beaks are usually worn down through seed consumption, but if you notice abnormal growth or damage, consult an avian vet.
• Health Monitoring: Canaries are generally hardy birds, but they can still suffer from health problems. Regularly check for any changes in behavior, droppings, or physical appearance. Signs of illness include fluffed feathers, lethargy, loss of appetite, or discharge from the eyes or nose. If you notice any of these signs, contact an avian vet immediately.
• Molting: Canaries molt once or twice a year, during which they shed old feathers and grow new ones. Molting can be stressful for your bird, so be sure to provide extra nutrition during this time, including more protein-rich foods. Be aware that your canary may become a bit more irritable or quiet during this period.

• Nesting: Canaries can breed in captivity, but it requires careful preparation. If you want to breed your canaries, provide a nesting box (about 8 inches x 8 inches x 8 inches) with soft materials like shredded paper or coconut fiber for nesting.
• Egg Laying: Female canaries may lay eggs even without a mate, especially if they feel a nesting instinct. You should remove the nesting materials if you don’t intend to breed them. If breeding, ensure that your female has access to extra calcium (via a cuttlebone or mineral block) to avoid egg-binding, a condition in which the bird is unable to pass an egg.
• Chicks: If you plan to breed canaries, be ready to care for the chicks once they hatch. The parents will generally care for the young until they are old enough to leave the nest, but you should monitor for any potential health problems or malnutrition.

• Affectionate & Independent: While not as cuddly as some other pet birds, canaries can still be friendly and enjoy human presence. They may sing when they see you, and many will interact with their owners by singing and responding to sounds.
• Vocalization: Canaries are known for their beautiful songs, and many people keep them primarily for their singing. The males are typically the primary singers, and their songs vary by breed. They sing to attract mates, so it’s not uncommon for them to sing loudly in the presence of other birds or people.
• Active & Curious: Canaries are very active and love to explore. They enjoy hopping around their cage, flying short distances, and climbing. Provide plenty of space and enrichment to satisfy their curiosity and energy. Although they are not as interactive as parrots, they still enjoy movement and exercise.

• Toxic Plants & Materials: Like all birds, canaries are susceptible to toxic substances. Avoid having toxic plants in their environment, such as pothos, lilies, azaleas, and chrysanthemums. Additionally, non-stick cookware (like Teflon) can release harmful fumes that are toxic to birds.
• Other Pets: Canaries are small and delicate, so it’s important to keep them safe from other pets, especially cats and dogs. Never leave your canary unsupervised around larger pets, as they may inadvertently harm the bird. Also, ensure that your canary’s cage is secure and placed somewhere that is out of reach of potential predators.

Canaries are delightful and relatively low-maintenance birds that make wonderful pets, particularly for people who enjoy the soothing sound of birdsong. By providing them with a proper diet, a spacious cage, plenty of enrichment, and regular socialization, you can enjoy the company of a happy and healthy canary for many years.

Whether you’re looking for a solo bird that will fill your home with beautiful songs or you want to breed them, canaries are easy to care for and bring joy with their lively personalities and melodious voices. Keep an eye on their health, ensure they have a safe and enriching environment, and your canary will thrive as a charming companion in your home.