The canary
A singer, hardy, a bird to start with
All of today's canaries are descended from a small wild green bird caught in the Canary Islands, brought back by navigators from the 15th century onwards and much prized as a gift at the European courts. There are now more than 250 varieties, falling into three broad types: colour canaries, song canaries and posture canaries (chosen for their shape). Worth knowing: only the male sings.
Its living environment
The canary is happy with a well-proportioned cage, with perches and a water dish for bathing (it loves that). Clean out the droppings once or twice a week. It is a hardy bird, ideal for beginners.
Its diet
The basis is a seed mix for canaries (canary seed, millet, oats, linseed, hempseed, rapeseed). To this is added a little greenery (chickweed, dandelion, groundsel) and sweet apple. Egg food should be given only once or twice a week: in excess it makes the bird put on weight. A tip: the canary wastes a lot of seed by scattering it and not eating it again, so check that it really is feeding.
Its health — what to watch for
Like all birds, the canary hides illness until the very end: when it shows signs, you have to act. Be alerted if it stays fluffed up in a ball at the bottom of the cage, breathes with its tail bobbing, keeps a dull eye or stops singing. The main excess to avoid day to day is being overweight, linked to a diet that is too rich.
Based on Dr Boussarie, Le Point Vétérinaire — reworded for owners.
In Switzerland: no permit required No permit required, but keeping is subject to the TSchV requirements on living conditions: minimum space, social contact, and appropriate feeding and care. Legal framework in detail →
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