Canary Care

Basic Pet Canary Care
by Ginger Wolnik

First published in the Pet Gazette, March 1992. Revised and updated July 1997 and November 1998.

Food
It is best to feed your bird the type of food it was raised on, so be sure to find out if that was seeds or pellets. Most breeders include a food sample when they sell a bird.

Pellets are more nutritionally complete than seeds and less mess because they do not have shells. However, if your bird was not raised on pellets, it might not recognize them as food and it can be difficult to get a bird to accept this artificial diet. There are several brands of bird pellets available, I recommend Kaytee Exact for Canaries and Finches. Pellets contain vitamins and more protein than seed, so no other supplements are needed.

If you feed your bird seeds, buy a seed mix just for canaries, not finches or parakeets. One bird eats about 1/2 tablespoon of seed each day. Spread the seed in a thin layer in a large dish so it does not get buried in empty seed shells. If you feed a small amount daily, the bird will eat all the types of seed in the mix for a balanced diet. However, it will not hurt the bird to have access to large quantities of seed if you are gone for a few days.

Get a vitamin-coated seed mix so you will not have to add vitamins in the water. If you want to give a vitamin supplement, the best is Nekton-S which is a water-soluble powder. You must mix it fresh every day and clean the water tube or dish each day if you give vitamins in the water.

The cage should always have a cuttle bone or a mineral block for calcium. Grit is not necessary for canaries because they shell their seed. (Claims that grit is needed for birds were based on studies of poultry and pigeons.)

If your bird eats seed, it is important to supplement this about once a week with higher protein food. A good source is egg biscuit, which you can buy at pet shops or at pet supply stands in stores. Soften the egg biscuit with water before serving and the bird should eat it right up.

Canaries like to eat greens and can have some every day. Lettuce is too watery, but a small piece of leaf lettuce is all right if nothing else is available (about 1" across). Broccoli is the best. A 2" piece of the top will keep a canary busy all day pecking the buds and chiseling at the stem. Dandelion leaves are good, and so is kale. Tiny pieces of fruit (apple, orange, melon, grape, papaya) are good too. Corn and peas can be fed fresh, or thawed from a frozen bag. Chocolate and avocado are toxic to birds.

Water
Clean drinking water must always be available. Do not use covered cups that are large enough for the bird to climb in, because it may get trapped and drown. Drinking tubes are the best way to provide water.

Bathing
Canaries love to take baths. A shallow bowl with about 1/4 inch of room-temperature water will do. You can let them take a bath every day, but in the winter, once a week is better. Early morning is the best time. After the bath, they like to preen and dry in a sunbeam, so setting the cage on a windowsill that gets morning sun is good. The window should be closed so the bird will not be in a draft.

Housing
Canaries need to fly to remain healthy. (Never clip the wings of a canary.) They do not climb like parrots and parakeets, so they only get exercise if they can fly, not just hop, between perches. A tall, narrow cage does not give them the correct type of flight. The proper canary cage is a long rectangle. HOIE makes a flight cage that is 24" long, 16" deep, and 18" tall, that I think is an ideal pet canary cage. A wire grill above the bottom of the cage will keep the bird from eating spoiled food that has fallen. It will also prevent a hen canary from tearing up the cage paper for nesting material. However, the grill itself can be hard to clean and I do not think they are necessary for pet canaries. The HOIE cages come with grills that can be removed. The cage should be set up with one perch at each end to maximize the flight distance. A swing near the top in the middle of the cage is good. Get the type of swing that hangs from one point in the middle. It is less stable, but canaries seem to prefer that and have a lot of fun hanging on.

Perches
Perches of different diameters 1/4 - 1/2 inch are best because the feet get more exercise. Get several perches and rotate them for variety. The easiest way to clean perches is to soak for a few minutes to an hour in hot, soapy water. Then scrub clean with a sponge, cloth, or nylon brush. Rinse well, and let air dry for at least a day, preferable two days. If you have at least four perches, then it is easy to keep a clean pair in the cage at all times. Do not cover the perches with sandpaper, it is bad for the soles of their feet.

Molting
Canaries normally molt once a year in the middle of the summer. All the feathers are replaced over a 2-3 month period. A molt can also occur if the bird is under a lot of stress, like moving to a new home. If the bird is used to a cool room, and then moved to a warmer room in the winter, that can trigger a molt. The most common cause of off-season molting is too much light. Canaries should not be kept up past sunset, especially in the winter. When molting, feed the bird extra egg biscuits because it needs extra protein to grow new feathers. Dark greens like kale or broccoli leaves are important for developing a deeper color in the feathers. Once formed, the feathers cannot change, so this is the only chance to give the bird the proper nutrition to grow them right. Male canaries usually don't sing much when they molt.

Cage Placement
The cage must never be in a draft, so do not put it in front of an open window. The bird can overheat in the sun, so make sure at least part of the cage is always shaded if it is at a window. Canary hormones are regulated by daylight length. If the bird is kept up late in the winter, it will go into a molt because its body will think it is summer (which is molting time). In the evening, it is best to keep a canary in a dark room, or else cover the cage with a blackout cover.

Canaries are very sensitive to chemical fumes. They should not be exposed to smoke, room deodorizers, scented candles, bug sprays, oven cleaners, or the fumes from any strong cleaning agents. Teflon and other non-stick polymers will break down if overheated and create toxic fumes that can kill birds anywhere in your home. Avoid using nonstick coated cookware, especially if you keep birds in your kitchen.

Toys
Canaries are not as playful as parakeets, but they will show interest in mirrors and bells. Generally, any toy that is safe for a parakeet will probably be OK for a canary. Be aware that a mirror in the cage may cause a male to stop singing.

Toenails
A couple of times a year, it may be necessary to trim their toenails. If the nails get too long, it is hard for the bird to perch and they can snag themselves and hurt their leg. Use fingernail clippers to remove the lower part of the nail below the vein inside. If you accidentally cut into the vein, you can stop the bleeding by applying steptic powder that you can buy at pet shops. You can also apply pressure by pinching the tip with your fingers until the bleeding stops.

Finch Care

Finches

Finches are small, active seed eating birds. Some species also require some insects in their diets. There are hundreds of species of finches and are found all over the world. They are kept for their activity level, their colorful plumage, and in some cases their song. Many species breed readily in captivity, and will do so in relatively small cages so they are ideal for hobbyists who have limited space.

Diet

Finches primarily are seed eaters. The basic seed mix for finches consists of various types of millet, niger thistle, rape, and canary grass seeds. Some species also require an eggfood, or insectivore food, and even mealworms or waxworms. Use of an avian daily multivitamin is recommended. These are usually water soluble and can be added to the drinking water or sprinkled over the food. If the vitamin is added to the water, the water container must be thoroughly washed each day.

Fresh water should always be available.

Housing

Finches are housed in cages. There are hundreds of shapes and sizes of cages available. Because of their activity level, finches do best in a rectangular cage that is longer than it is wide. Tall narrow columnar style cages are not at all suited for finches. They need room to fly. Perches should be placed across the cage at both ends so that the birds can fly back and forth.

The door opening must be large enough for you to reach in with your hand and possibly a small net so that you can remove a bird from the cage easily.


If you are planning on trying to breed your finches, consideration should also be given to nest location and access. Sometimes a separate opening is needed for the nest.

The wires should be spaced closely enough to keep the bird from putting it's head through the opening. Wire spacing of 3/8" to 1/2" is recommended.

A pull out tray at the bottom makes for easier cleaning.


Handling & Care

Finches have been domestically raised for generations. When purchasing finches look for active birds with clear bright eyes and sleek feathers. Never purchase a bird that is sitting still and puffed up.

Most finches do well when kept in pairs or groups. Watch for signs of aggression and bullying when the birds are introduced. It is usually a good practice to provide two different sources of food to avoid squabbling over the food dish.

Not all species are compatible with one another. Before mixing species in one cage, research whether or not the two species will get along.

Birds keep their plumage in peak condition by preening. Many finches enjoy bathing to help in the preening process. Providing a large shallow dish of room temperature water is a great way of offering them a bath.

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Budgerigar aka Parakeet care sheet

Budgerigar Basics:

Cage Size: Budgies require a bigger cage than you may think. Pet shops have sold deceptively small cages all too often, cages with only a square foot of space... barely large enough for the bird to turn around, much less fly from side to side. You should buy the largest cage you can afford. The minimum dimensions should be: 24in. x 24in. x 18in. And of course, since birds don't fly straight up and down, they prefer a wider cage. Some cages are very tall, but still only a foot in diameter, this is not enough room for a budgie. Although they can live in small cages, they can not thrive in small cages. If you can't afford at least the minimum cage, you shouldn't get a budgie.

Food: Another common myth with budgies is that they only need to eat seed. However, you should give your bird a mixture of pellets, seeds, veggies (grated usually), fruits, dried fruits, and a few healthy table scraps (like pasta without the sauce and if you eat meat, leave that out on your bird's portion). Budgies can also eat an occasional mealworm, although this is not necessary.

Water: I recommend that you give your bird it's water in a water bottle made for budgies. Of course, do not immediately switch your bird to this... most likely, when you get your budgie, it will not be accustomed to drinking from a water bottle. Offer it both the water dish and water bottle, until you actually see your bird drinking from the water bottle. Water bottles are preferable to water dishes because they stay cleaner, birds can not throw debris in them and cause bacterial growth which can lead to diseases.

Grooming: Your bird will preen it's own feathers, but you must offer it a bird bath occasionally. If your bird does not like it's bird bath at first, don't panic, keep trying. Or try a different type of bird bath. Buddy even likes to bathe under a faucet.

You also will need to clip their nails occasionally. I do not recommend sand paper perches as they irritate the bird's feet. However, if you'd like to help keep the nails short, get a cement perch. However, make sure that is not your bird's only perch.

The bird will also sharpen it's beak on the cement perch. You will also need a cuttlebone, to provide beak work and calcium for the bird. They also like wooden toys to chew up.

Lifespan: Budgies live about 7 to 12 years. However, they can live much longer with good care. The longest living budgie I've ever heard of lived to the ripe old age of 29. But they won't live as long as the larger parrots.

Size: Budgerigars are very small parrots, at only about 7 inches from head to tail.

Cost: People often state that budgies are the cheapest pets there are. However, even though they can be all the way from $15 and up into the hundreds for special varieties, I've found they are not the cheapest pets. Once you add in the cage, food, treats and toys it can be costly. To me though they are well worth the cost.

Time: Birds are not pets to be left alone in cages all day. If you want a pet like that, get a fish. Birds want to have fun for at least a few hours a day out of their cage (either on a play gym or with you).

Diseases: There are quite a few diseases that budgies can get, ask your vet for more info.

Allergies: If you or someone in your house is allergic to birds, it is not wise to get a budgie as a pet.

Where To Buy a Budgie: While you see budgies in newspaper ads, pet shops, and many other places, it is best to buy from a breeder, or at least a bird specialty store.
How to Pick a Healthy Budgie: A healthy budgie will be alert and active. A bird sitting on the bottom of the cage is not healthy. The vent should be clean and the eyes and cere (right above the beak, containing the nostrils) should be free of debris. It should enjoy interacting with the other budgies, and it is best to only buy from a cage where none of the animals are sick.

Male or Female?: I've found males to be louder and a bit more aggressive and I've found females to be calmer and quieter. However, I think there really isn't that great of a difference. With young birds, you can't tell if they are male or female. However, after their first molt, you can tell by looking at their cere. The cere on a male is blue, on a female it is brownish. Some people say that male budgies talk more, however, I do not think that is true.

Safety: Make sure to keep your house or the room you choose the bird to be in, safe. Do not put the bird in the kitchen or garage, because of the fumes and many dangers. If you do not choose to clip your bird's wings, make sure it cannot escape the room when it is flying free.

Taming and Training: For training, you may or may not choose to clip your bird's wings. I have found it best to clip the wings while teaching your bird basic commands, but then once they are well behaved, they can be allowed to fly around the room. One very necessary command is the step-up command. You can teach your bird the step-up command by pressing a perch against it's abdomen, and as it steps up, you say, "Step-up" and then give it a reward. Have it jump from perch to perch. Finally, you can simply say "Step-up" and it will jump onto your hand. Birds are very smart and can learn many things. With Buddy, I use clicker training, so that he knows that a click means he has done good. However, that is not the only way of training, as long as you are consistent, you should get the desired results.
Good Luck with your new pet!

Dog Treats

Tired of the same old doggie treats. Try some of these homemade treats for your favorite dog.

Cheesy Bites

* 1 cup wheat flour
* 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
* 1 tablespoon soft butter or margarine
* 1/2 cup milk

Mix flour and cheese together. Add the softened butter. Slowly add milk till you form a stiff dough. You may not need all of the milk. Knead on floured board for a few minutes.

Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees oven for 15 minutes. Let cool in oven with the door slightly open till cold and firm. Refrigerate to keep fresh.

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Bad Breath Banishers

* 2 cups brown rice flour
* 1 Tablespoon activated charcoal (find this at drugstores, not the briquets!)
* 3 Tablespoons canola oil
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 2/3 cup lowfat milk

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour and charcoal. Add all the other ingredients. Drop teaspoonfulls on oiled sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake 15-20 minutes. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Soft Doggie Cookies

* 3 (2 1/2 oz. each) jars of baby food; either beef or chicken
* 1/4 cup Dry milk powder
* 1/4 cup Wheat germ or cream of wheat

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Roll into small balls and place on well-greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake in preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes until brown. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate to keep fresh or freeze. Great for older dogs with teeth problems.

Pet Bird Recipes

Here are a couple more recipes my birds seem to enjoy. These are only fed to them as treats.

1 1/3 Cups raw brown rice
2 2/3 Cups hot water
1 Cup frozen green peas
1 Cup frozen corn
1/2 Cup dry split peas, cooked until just tender
1 Hard-Boiled Egg (optional)

Cook rice until almost all of liquid is absorbed. Stir in the frozen peas and corn, and cook about 3 minutes or until vegetables are warm. Don't overcook. Add the cooked split peas.

Remove the eggshell and puree (the eggshell) in blender. Chop remaining hardboiled egg. Add both to rice mixture, and stir until well mixed.

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In a 6 Quart pan, mix 3 cups of 12 bean soup, or a combination of any of the following beans:

* Black-eyed peas
* Green split peas
* Small white beans
* Navy beans
* Yellow split peas
* Barley beans
* Lentils

Soak one hour in water.
Add one teaspoon fresh garlic or garlic powder and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and let simmer about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, & adding water as needed to mixture.
Add two cups of brown rice and approximately 20 ounces of mixed vegetables. (This could include corn, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, squash, etc.)
Boil until the vegetables and rice are cooked and the beans are soft.
Strain and cool.
Mash and mix thoroughly.
Freeze daily servings in separate bags; defrost as needed.
Add one hard boiled egg, mashed, to room temperature mixture before serving.

Cockatiels

I have always loved birds. Over the years I have had a lot of different breeds, but one of my favorites have always been Cockatiels. They are lively, not to big and can be very loving. Kiwi, has no problems with me holding her and she loves to "preen" my hair. I have a few recipes that I make and freeze to give her as treats. These recipes can be given to other birds also.




Carrot-Squash Muffins

2 eggs
1/4 Cup peanut oil
1/4 pkg. protein powder
1 Jr. size baby fruit - any flavor
1 Cup yellow self-rising cornmeal
1 Cup self-rising whole wheat flour
1 Cup grated fresh carrots including tops when available
1 Cup grated fresh yellow squash

Beat eggs and peanut oil until well blended. Add all dry ingredients including protein powder. Add baby fruit and mix well; add grated vegetables.

Spoon into miniature size muffin pans using muffin cups to avoid greasing pans. May also be baked in high-sided cookie pan and cut into one inch squares after baking

DO NOT use Teflon coated cooking ware since odor will kill birds!!!!

Bake at 400°F for approximately 15 minutes.

Muffins freeze well.

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Bird Muffins

1 pkg. Jiffy cornbread mix
Milk as directed on box
6 eggs including the shells
1 cup Kaytee Exact Rainbow
2 cups mixed veggies
1/4 cup shelled, unsalted Sunflower Seeds
1 cup Nestling food
Anything else you may have on hand

Preheat oven to indicated temperature on Jiffy box. Mix according to the directions on the Jiffy box.

Add the remaining ingredients. Grease 9" x 13" pan. Spread evenly in the pan. Check the bread often, as it will not take long to cook (approximately 8-10 minutes). Cool completely. Cut into squares and freeze until needed. Defrost and serve.

Bird Watching

I love nature in general, but lately have I have been doing a lot more bird watching. Living in Florida gives me plenty of birds to view. Right now we have a pair of Burrowing Owls living in an old Gopher tortoise burrow. It is so cool to see these tiny owls. I keep the feeders full and make my own Woodpecker bars to keep all the birds coming back. This year we have seen so many different birds at the feeder it has been amazing. We also have a bird bath set away from the feeders that attracts the birds too.

We have our normal visitors such as, a family of Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, Blue Jays, Morning Dove, Brown Thrasher, Eurasian Collared Dove and Red Belly Woodpeckers. On top of those we have had some Indigo Buntings, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, Tufted Titmouse and Downey Woodpeckers. Every once in awhile we are lucky enough to see a Ruby Throated Hummingbird too!! I was just awestruck the first time I saw one!

I will post some of the recipes I have for home made suet cakes and what I find works best in my feeders in another post.