Canaries

Canaries are small songbirds that have been kept as pets for over 500 years. They are named after the Canary Islands near Africa, where they originally came from. Canaries are famous for their beautiful songs. Male canaries sing the most, especially in the spring.

Canary Songs

Male canaries sing to attract mates and mark their territory. Each canary has its own special song. Young canaries learn to sing by listening to older birds. Some canary owners play music for their birds to help them learn new tunes.

Caring for Canaries

Canaries need a clean cage with room to fly short distances. They eat seeds, fresh vegetables, and special canary food. Canaries enjoy bathing, so a small dish of water makes them very happy. They are independent birds that do not need as much handling as parakeets.

Fun Facts

• Canaries can come in yellow, orange, red, white, and even brown colors.
• Coal miners once brought canaries underground to detect dangerous gases.
• A healthy canary can sing up to 30 minutes without stopping.

Did You Know?

Canaries can hear sounds that humans cannot. They are so sensitive to air quality that they were used in coal mines for over 100 years to warn miners of danger!