Yellow Canary

Scientific Name Origin Food Life Span Size Housing Diet Feeding Recommended Supplies Normal Behavior & Interaction Habitat Maintenance Grooming & Hygiene Signs of a Healthy Animal Common Health Issues Red Flags

 

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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Serinus canarius domesticus

ORIGIN: The Canary Islands

FOOD: food

LIFE SPAN: 10+ years with proper care

SIZE: 3 to 4 inches long

 

HOUSING:

• Birds acclimate well to average household temperatures; be cautious of extreme temperature
  change; cage should be placed off the floor in an area that is well-lit and away from drafts
• A cage approximately 24" W x 14" D x 18" H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 3/8" apart, makes a good home for your canary as with all animals, it is best to provide the largest habitat possible; a flight cage is strongly recommended
  
• Perches should be at least 3" long and ½" in diameter; a variety of perch diameters and materials is recommended to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis
  
• A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with cage paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning; to avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches
• Bird owners should avoid non-stick cookware and appliances as they can release
  fumes hazardous to your birds health
  care menu

 

DIET:

• Specialized pelleted diets are highly recommended and should consist of 60–70% of the diet;
• use fortified seeds in moderation as they are higher in fat and less nutritious than pellets
  
• Assortment of soft foods such as shredded carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, and apple slices; clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water changed daily
  
• Do not feed birds fruit seeds, avocados, chocolate, alcohol, or caffeine; these can cause
  serious medical problems
  care menu

 

FEEDING:

• If your bird is used to a seed diet, convert to pellets gradually; fresh pellets or seeds and
  fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should always be available
• Fresh fruits and vegetables should be given daily and discarded when not eaten within 24
  hours;
• canaries appreciate quality and variety in their food
  care menu

 

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:

• Cage and cage cover
• Bird bath
• Vitamin supplements
  
• Cage paper or substrate
• Millet spray
• Variety of perches
  
• Pellets and fortified seed
• Cuttlebone
• Nail clippers and styptic gel
  
• Food and water dishes
• Treats and grit
• Book about canaries
  care menu

 

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION:

• Male canaries are known for their singing; females tend to chirp rather than sing; males may stop singing during their annual molt, this is normal.
• Need room to fly in their cages; a flight cage is good for this purpose
• Male canaries should not be housed together; males kept in cages with mirrors may not sing.
  care menu

 

HABITAT MAINTENANCE:

• Clean and disinfect the cage and perches regularly; replace substrate or cage liner weekly or more often if needed; replace food and water daily
• Replace perches, dishes, and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly
• Ensure that there are no cage parts or toys with lead, zinc or lead and lead-based paints or galvanized parts as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird
  care menu

 

GROOMING & HYGIENE:

• Provide filtered, chlorine-free, lukewarm water regularly for bathing, remove when done; as an alternative, mist the bird with water or a grooming spray
• Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird
  care menu

 

SIGNS OF A HEALTHY ANIMAL:

•• Active, alert, and sociable • Eats and drinks throughout the day • Dry nostrils and bright, dry eyes • Beak, legs, and feet normal in appearance • Clean, dry vent • Smooth, well-groomed feathers
care menu

 

COMMON HEALTH ISSUES:

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action

Diarrhea: Fecal portion of dropping is loose, weight loss, ruffled feathers. Variety of causes from diet change to
internal parasites. Seek treatment from veterinarian.

Lice or Feather Mites: Restlessness, scratching, feather
picking. Seek veterinary attention

Mites: (Scaly Face and Leg Disease)
White deposits on eyes, beak, legs, and feet.
Seek veterinary attention. Pox Mouth lesions, face scabs. Seek veterinary attention.
care menu

 

RED FLAGS:

•Beak swelling or accumulations • Fluffed, plucked, or soiled
feathers • Sitting on floor of habitat • Wheezing or coughing • Runny or discolored stools • Favoring one foot • Eye or nasal discharge • Red or swollen eyes • Loss of appetite
care menu

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