My friend has a canary and he takes them into his basement to clean out their cages. Everytime he does this the canary falls to the bottom of the cage with his beak wide open. My friend quickly brings the bird back upstairs and the bird recovers quickly. What could be causing this to happen in my friend's basement?
2007-02-18 00:50:05 · 4 answers · asked by Mark L 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
I would be getting a carbon monoxide detector for the basement.
Canaries are very sensitive to lower oxygen level, that's why they were used for bad air detectors in mines. I think his furnace has a problem or if in a warmer climate there are gases from the soil leaking into the basement and should have this checked. If really concerned call the fire department they will come and check it or at least tell you who to call.
2007-02-18 01:09:43 · answer #1 · answered by Card Modeler 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could just be panicking, but canaries and other birds are sensitive to airborne toxins. These can include dust in the air, mildew, mold, carbon monoxide, natural gas, and many others.
As someone else mentioned, make sure your friend has a carbon monoxide detector in the basement. Clean out the basement and let it air out for a few days. And try doing the cleaning in a bathtub instead and see if your bird reacts the same.
Also, your friend would be well-advised to take the canary to an avian vet and make sure s/he isn't sick.
2007-02-18 13:08:56 · answer #2 · answered by zandyandi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
haven't you ever heard that miners used to bring caged canaries down into the mines because when the bird dropped it meant there were gases and they all needed to get out?
birds sense that kind of thing first
2007-02-18 13:27:03 · answer #3 · answered by tlex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He could be afraid of the basement or there could be fumes in the basement.Good luck with Him I hope I helped.
2007-02-18 08:55:28 · answer #4 · answered by ♥LuV my preppyness♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋