A Short Guide to Starting With Canaries   -  by:  Mark Bange

     Canaries are one of the most familiar of our pet birds, well regarded for both their rewarding song (males) and appearance. Their needs as cage birds are fairly simple, and this small guide hopes to introduce and encourage beginners to keeping canaries as pets or exhibition birds.

Varieties of Canary ~

     Canaries come in several different shapes, sizes and colors - more than many people realize - and of course there are common mixes of the various breeds that are often referred in the U.S. as "kitchen" canaries. The three main groups of canary breeds can be divided into "Type", bred for their shape or conformation, "Song", bred specifically for their singing abilities and "Color-Bred" for their brightly colored varieties.

Type Canaries: As with many domesticated animals, canaries have been developed into a range of distinct breeds of different shapes and sizes. Think of the different types of dogs or cats that you may be familiar with - the equivalent of these diverse breeds exist in the canary world as well! As examples of the diversity of shapes and sizes, one of the larger breeds of canary is called the Yorkshire, an upright positioned variety that reaches almost 7 inches in length, while the small and popular Fife is bred not to exceed 4.5 inches. The shape of Type canaries also varies greatly with the breed, some have a fairly rounded appearance, while others are bred to have a half-moon posture, frilling body feathers or a crest atop their head.

Song Canaries: For many years various strains of canary have been selectively bred and trained for their distinctive singing qualities. While all male canaries will sing beautifully, song canaries such as the Roller, Waterslager, Spanish Timbrado and the very popular American Singer produce a wide range of rolling and warbling notes that are unlike the more regular "chopping" song of the typical male canary.

Color-Bred Canaries: While many picture a canary as being a small yellow bird, selective breeding for new color mutations and hybridization with the South American red siskin now means there is a wide range of canaries bred specifically for their colors. Red Factors carry the genes from the siskin for shades of bright orange or red, while other new colors include diluted greens, blues, browns and the recessive whites are the purest white.

How to Care for Your Canary ~

     While canaries are fairly easy to keep as pets, they still deserve to be treated well - as you would any living creature. Canary cages come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different budgets, and the main advice here would be to buy a cage of reasonable style that allows for the bird to fly back and forth for exercise. Ensure there are perches to hop back and forth, canaries do not climb. The floor can be covered with sand, pine shavings, or just plain newspaper. The important thing is to keep your bird healthy, the cage has to be cleaned regularly.

     Most canaries will thrive on a mix of dried seeds, often referred to as canary or finch mix which is usually a mixture of canary grass seed, red and black rape seed, niger, flax, hemp and millets. However, a little vegetation is greatly appreciated every couple days such as a slice of apple, leaf of spinach, kale, romaine, broccoli floret or a slice of hard boiled egg. The other key essential is fresh, clean water. Your bird will also appreciate a small dish of water to bathe in occasionally.

Where to Find a Canary ~

     Perhaps the best place to find a canary of specific Type, or breed is through a local breeder. Purchases through a breeder will also help get you started, give advice, birds gender - remember only males sing, females chirp. Breeders usually sell their birds at reasonable prices, but be prepared to pay more if you are looking for top, show quality birds. Your breeder will also be willing to help assist you in the future if you decide you want to breed and exhibit your canaries. Joining a club such as MACC will help you find out more on how to keep canaries and connection to people interested in keeping canaries.