How to Know if a Canary Is Right for You
To know if a canary is right for you, find out if your family or roommates will appreciate a bird who sings a lot, or if the'll find it annoying. Additionally, if you have cats, you might want to think about a different pet since canaries and cats typically don't get along. Unlike some other types of birds, canaries don't like to be handled or held, so if physically handing your pet is important to you, look for a different type of bird or pet. If you decide that a canary will make a nice addition to your home, make sure to have a large, well-ventilated cage, perches and toys, a covering for the cage at night, and access to veterinary care.
Appreciate a beautiful song. Canaries are a beloved pet bird, mostly due to their beautiful singing voices. If listening to a charming bird song is appealing to you, you may want a pet canary. The best singers will be male birds around 6 months of age. Female birds are capable of singing, but not as well and not as often. If possible, try to hear a bird sing before buying it. Enjoy bright colors. Another favorite feature of canaries is their vibrant color. If having a brightly colored bird around would brighten your home and bring joy to your day, a pet canary might be right for you. Some canaries are bred specifically for their bright colors, while others are bred for their singing voices. Canaries might be yellow (which is most popular), red, or green. Canaries may be fed pigmented food (both natural and artificial) to help enhance their colors. Respect that they don’t like to be held. Unlike some other types of pet birds (such as parrots), canaries do like to be handled or held. These birds will not not enjoy being petted or sitting on your shoulder. If physically handling your pet bird is not important to you, a canary might be a good choice. Consider your lifestyle. In general, the type of person who will enjoy a canary is someone who doesn't mind a little noise at home, and who appreciates the look and sound of small birds. Canaries are great pets for older people looking for some companionship. They are also good for families with older kids, who can learn about responsibility, but who will understand that they can't hold the bird. A canary might not be a good choice if you have cats (who may try to hunt the bird), if you have small children or babies (who are easily awakened by noise), or if you travel for long periods of time (and you don't have help with bird care). Appreciate that canaries are low-maintenance. Relatively speaking, canaries are easy birds to care for. They do not require interaction on your part, and they are not especially susceptible to disease. In order to keep your canary happy and healthy, you must provide: A healthy diet. A large, well-ventilated, and well-maintained cage. Perches and toys for entertainment. Darkness (by covering the cage) at night. Routine veterinary care. House canaries separately. Canaries are primarily solitary birds. If you plan to keep only one bird at home, then this may be a benefit. However, if you hope to keep other birds in your house (canaries or otherwise), understand that each canary will need its own individual cage. Be aware that your canary's cage will need to be cleaned regularly. Food bowls and cage liners should be maintained daily. The entire cage should be cleaned and sanitized once a month. Canaries like to fly from side to side, so they need a wide cage. Your cage should be at least 16 inches (40.6 cm) tall and 30 inches (76.2 cm) wide, but bigger is always better. Feed your canaries. The primary source of food for your pet canary should be specially formulated canary pellets and fresh water. In addition, your canary may enjoy a variety of treats. Including: Birdseed. Fruits and veggies (such as apricots, asparagus, blueberry, broccoli, corn, and dates). Protein (such as boiled egg). Avocado is poisonous to canaries. Add canary expenses to your budget. Like any pet, a canary will come with some expenses. Compared to more exotic birds (like parrots), the canary is rather affordable. Take the cost of owning a canary into consideration before purchasing a bird. A canary can cost anywhere from $50 to $125. Veterinary care and lab tests can range from $100 to $200 per year (or more in the case of serious illness or emergency). Feeding can range from $20 to $50 per year. Miscellaneous expenses (like cage, toys, other supplies) can cost anywhere from $50 to $500. Watch for mites. Canaries can be susceptible to different types of mites. Fortunately, mite infestation is treatable with help from your vet. It is easiest to cure infestations when detected early, so be proactive and seek the advice of your vet as soon as you suspect the presence of mites. Some common types of canary mites include: Air sac mites (which show up in the respiratory system). Scaly mites (which appear around the beak and eyes). Feather mites/red mites (nocturnal mites that are visible at night). Beware of canary pox. Canary pox is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, and can be quite serious for canaries. Birds who are housed outdoors are particularly susceptible, especially during the summer. For this reason, it's probably better to keep your canary indoors. There a two types of canary pox: wet or throat form and dry or skin form. Some symptoms of canary pox include: Thick mucus or plaque forming in the mouth, throat, and/or sinuses. Non-feathered areas turning white/yellow or becoming encrusted. Lesions around the face, eyes, beak, legs, and/or feet. Lethargy or listlessness. Weight loss or refusal to eat. Ruffled feathers. Rapid breathing. Difficulty breathing. Learn about other health problems. Although they are not terribly common, there are some other ailments that may affect your canary. Anytime your bird appears listless, refuses to eat, displays ruffled feathers, or has any difficulty breathing, contact your vet immediately. Some conditions that canaries may suffer from include: Psittacosis (parrot fever). Atoxoplasmosis. Trichomonas. Toxoplasmosis. Liver disease. Make sure you can commit to 14 years of companionship. A healthy, well-kept canary can live as long as 14 years. Before you purchase a canary, decide if you are ready for such a long term commitment. Canaries are beloved pets, and when are they well cared for, they can provide companionship for many happy years. 
Appreciate a beautiful song. Enjoy bright colors. Respect that they don’t like to be held. Consider your lifestyle. Appreciate that canaries are low-maintenance. House canaries separately. Feed your canaries. Add canary expenses to your budget. Watch for mites. Beware of canary pox. Learn about other health problems. Make sure you can commit to 14 years of companionship. 