Canaries Bird Breed Pictures,Characteristics, & Facts

Ranking third on the list of best bird pets are canaries. These cheerful, good-natured songsters require low-key TLC-keep your canary's cage in a room where you hang out and they'll be happy, says Anne Staudenmaier, VMD, an associate veterinarian in the Avian and Exotic department at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. This is one reason why they are one of the best birds to have as pets.

You'll want to get a cage that's at least two- to three-feet tall, like the Vision II Model M01 Bird Cage, so your canary has room to fly, Dr. Staudenmaier says. Set up your perches at different heights and put a couple of water bowls (one for drinking and a larger, shallower one for bathing) and food bowls in the cage, she says. You can give your canary commercial pellets and vegetables like kale, spinach, and sweet potatoes to supplement, she says.

Also known as:

Simply canaries-though there are several breeds, including the Harz Roller and the Red Factor Canary.

Average lifespan:

10 to 15 years

Social needs:

Canaries don't need feathered companions, and they aren't the snuggliest of birds. Still, most outgoing canaries like being in the same room as their humans and being talked to, says Dr. Staudenmaier. And some can be trained to perch on your finger (again, take it slow).

Talking ability:

None-and the males are the ones with the gorgeous songs.

Medical concerns:

Respiratory illnesses: Canaries have very sensitive respiratory systems, which can be compromised easily. Don't smoke and keep candles and air fresheners far away from them, says Dr. Staudenmaier. Another thing that can poison them: Teflon-coated non-stick pans or anything that is coated with PTFE (like self-cleaning ovens), says Dr. Rolfe. Buy nonstick pans that don't contain Teflon or PTFE. If you use a self-cleaning oven or Teflon pans, make sure the kitchen is well-ventilated and keep your canary as far away from it as possible.

Obesity: Canaries, like so many pet birds, can get too fat from empty calories and spending too much time in a too-small cage. Avoid giving your bird too many sugary fruits (like bananas or grapes) or corn, which is also high in sugar, says Dr. Rolfe.