How to House a Canary

Canaries are sweet little singers who need big homes to make sure that they get enough exercise. If you’re getting a canary, make sure that their home is a good one by giving them a roomy cage filled with food, perches, and toys. Weekly cleaning and care will ensure that your canary loves their home as much as they love you.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Choosing the Right Cage

  1. Step 1 Get a large cage.
    Canaries love to fly, and they need a cage big enough to keep them active and happy. A canary cage should be at least 16 inches (41 cm) tall and 30 inches (76 cm) wide. Ideally, however, you should buy the largest cage that you have room for.
    • For canaries, the distance between bars should be no more than 1⁄2 inch (13 mm) wide. This will prevent them from getting their heads stuck.[1]
  2. Step 2 Pick a metal cage.
    A cage made out of iron or powder-coated steel provides a secure home for your canary. Canaries aren’t aggressive chewers, so they should be fine in a wooden or plastic cage, but metal cages tend to be the more secure choice overall.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Select a cage that is wide rather than tall.
    When canaries fly, they prefer long flight paths over height. This means that you should choose a wide, horizontal cage, not a tall and skinny cage.[3]
    • Good cages should be rectangular in shape, not round. Round cages prevent perches from hanging properly and reduce the amount of flying space.
  4. Step 4 Check that the cage is safe.
    Inspect the cage to make sure that the bird cannot injure themselves. A well-made cage should have no sharp or jutting points on it. Test the lock on the door to make sure it is sturdy.[4]
  5. Step 5 Buy separate cages for each canary.
    Canaries can become territorial over small spaces like cages. If kept together, they may fight or injure one another. If you are planning on having more than one canary, you should keep a separate cage for each.[5]
    • While you may be able to keep a male and female pair together during the breeding season, they will still need to be separated throughout the rest of the year.
    Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Setting Up the Cage

  1. Step 1 Set the cage high above the ground.
    The cage should be elevated so that it is at your eye level. You can set the cage on a stand or a piece of furniture. Alternatively, you can try hanging the cage off the ground using a wall bracket.
  2. Step 2 Place the cage in an active part of the household.
    A living room or home office is a great place for a canary cage. These rooms give the canary things to watch and look at during the day.[6]
    • There should be plenty of light in this room, but avoid putting the cage in direct sunlight.
    • Do not put the cage in the kitchen. Fumes from cooking can be lethal to a canary.
  3. Step 3 Put it against the wall.
    Your canary will feel more secure if they have at least one wall against their cage. Placing the cage in a corner may help the canary feel even more safe. Do not set the cage out in the open or in the middle of a room.
  4. Step 4 Spread newspaper or cob litter on the bottom of the cage.
    The bottom of the cage should be lined so that you can easily clean it. Newspaper works best since it is cheap and readily available, and cob litter works well too. Avoid using cat litter or wood shavings on the floor, as these can give the canary breathing problems.
    • You will need to replace the newspaper daily.
  5. Step 5 Adjust the temperature.
    The temperature of the room should be between 60–70 °F (16–21 °C), although temperatures can be as low as 40 °F (4 °C) at night. Place the cage away from windows, doors, or vents where drafts can come in, and avoid placing the cage in direct sunlight.
    Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Providing the Necessities

  1. Step 1 Make food and water available.
    Put separate dishes in the cage for food and water. Avoid putting these under perches to prevent the bird from defecating in them. Your canary will need to have their food and water replaced every day. Alternative to food bowls, you can put feeders that hang from the top of the cage for birds to perch on whilst they eat.
    • Canaries need a varied diet of pellets, fresh fruit, and leafy vegetables.[7]
  2. Step 2 Give them two or three perches.
    Canaries need lots of room to fly, and perches let them zoom between two points in their cage. You should have at least two or three perches placed at different ends of the cage.
    • Perches should be between 3⁄8 inch (9.5 mm) and 3⁄4 inch (19 mm) in diameter. Vary the diameter used for each perch.
    • Try to keep around 16 inches (41 cm) between perches so that the canary has plenty of room to fly between them.[8]
  3. Step 3 Put in a few toys.
    Canaries don’t need many toys to stay entertained, but they do appreciate two or three items that they can poke, pull, or play with. Good canary toys include:[9]
    • Plastic balls.
    • Swings.
    • Branches from outside.
    • Bells.
    • Vine balls.
  4. Step 4 Set a bird bath inside.
    Canaries love to splash and bathe. You can buy a bird bath that attaches to the bars of their cage, or you can simply place a bowl of cold water inside of the cage. Leave the bath bowl in the cage for only short periods of time, and change the water every day.[10]
    Advertisement
Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Maintaining the Cage

  1. Step 1 Clean the cage weekly.
    Place the canary in a bird carrier while you scrub down the cage. Throw away any old liner. Use warm, soapy water to wash the cage, food and water dishes, bath, and perches. As you clean, check the cage for any defects. Let it dry completely before replacing the liner, and move your bird back into their cage.
    • If the cage needs a deep clean, use a power washer and hot water.
  2. Step 2 Don't use strong scents near the cage.
    Canaries have very delicate respiratory tracts. Air fresheners, scented candles, aerosol sprays, and cigarette smoke can be lethal to the canary. Keep these out of the room with the cage.[11]
  3. Step 3 Cover the cage at night.
    At sunset, place a blanket or covering over the cage so that any artificial light from the room is blocked out. This will help the bird sleep at night and ensure that they get plenty of rest.
    Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Why has my canary lost the feathers on his head?
    Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
    Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
    Certified Veterinary Technician
    Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University.
    Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
    Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
    Certified Veterinary Technician
    Expert Answer
    Your canary might be experiencing an abnormal molt, which can cause it to lose all the feathers on its head. However, it could also be caused by feather mites or lice. Take your canary to the veterinarian to confirm the cause and get treatment for your canary.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
     Thank you for your feedback.
     If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 8
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit

Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Prepare a Cat for Air Travel
How to
Prepare a Cat for Air Travel
Diagnose Bone Diseases in Growing Dogs
How to
Diagnose Bone Diseases in Growing Dogs
Tame a Feral Cat
How to
Tame a Feral Cat
Tell if a Dog Is a Girl or Boy
How to
Tell if a Dog Is a Girl or Boy
Care for Baby Guppies
How to
Care for Baby Guppies
Take Care of a Dog
How to
Take Care of a Dog
Remove a Tick from a Cat
How to
Remove a Tick from a Cat
Diagnose Heartworms in Dogs
How to
Diagnose Heartworms in Dogs
Treat Diarrhea in Cockatiels
How to
Treat Diarrhea in Cockatiels
Treat a Sprain on a Dog
How to
Treat a Sprain on a Dog
Tell if Your Cat Is Constipated
How to
Tell if Your Cat Is Constipated
Prevent a Cat from Spraying
How to
Prevent a Cat from Spraying
Train a Kitten
How to
Train a Kitten
Build an Indoor Aquatic Turtle Pond
How to
Build an Indoor Aquatic Turtle Pond
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.americansingercanary.com/housing.html
  2. ↑ http://www.petuniversity.com/birds/canaries-finches/canaries.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.petuniversity.com/birds/canaries-finches/canaries.htm
  4. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/cagesafety.html
  5. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/canaryinfo.html
  6. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/canaryinfo.html
  7. ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1840&aid=1706
  8. ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1840&aid=1706
  9. ↑ https://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/finches_and_canaries/finch_accessories/toys
  1. ↑ http://www.petsworld.co.uk/canaries.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/canaryinfo.html

About this article

Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
Co-authored by:
Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
Certified Veterinary Technician
This article was co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA. Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University. This article has been viewed 25,769 times.
43 votes - 83%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: January 5, 2021
Views: 25,769
Article SummaryX

To house a canary, buy the largest cage you have room for, since canaries love to fly and stay active. Make sure the cage has no sharp points that could injure the bird. You should also check that the lock is sturdy so your bird can't escape. Then, place the cage high off the ground in an active part of the house so your bird has plenty of things to look at. However, make sure the cage is not in direct sunlight or too close to doors and windows, since cold drafts can harm your bird. Additionally, line the bottom of the cage with newspaper so you have an easier time cleaning the cage. For advice from our Veterinary co-author on how to feed your canary, read on!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,769 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Hoshang Hersh

    Hoshang Hersh

    Sep 5, 2018

    "I'm getting a bird, and these articles helped a lot. Thanks for helping me, this is a good website!"

Did this article help you?

Advertisement