Should I buy a canary?

Question

We don't do indoor animals like dogs and cats- we have kids, we travel, I don't have time for the amount of attention a dog or cat needs in fairness to the animal, and really I just don't like animal hair in my home. So I'm not a candidate for 'hairy pet" ownership.
But first of all, my husband likes canaries. My oldest daughter is desperate for a pet. And I'm pretty sure one can still buy a pretty, ornate canary cage. I like the thought of adding a bird's singing to our busy home, but I don't recall much about individual species. (I am, however, willing to learn.)
What other bird might be appropriate for us? I don't want a big bird, like a parrot or anything...
Are any small breeds messier than others? What about germs? It seems like a bird would be okay when we are gone if we have someone to pop in and feed it and say hello every day or so. Am I correct?
I could look this up in my old bio texts but I'm looking for personal experience, too.
Thanks in advance.

Um, no coal mine. But I've got someone to clean the crap, I'm not so worried about that...so then, since crap is a non-issue, SHALL I BUY A CANARY?

Answer 1

I don't think that your lifestyle and sensibilities would be a good match for canary ownership.

Perhaps you can find someone who owns pet birds locally and visit them and discuss ownership issues and care concerns.

I would not advise getting any pet unless you are willing to spend the necessary time to make sure the pet not only has a clean home, but necessary socialization and attention for its mental health. Birds can become neurotic and self mutilate when stressed. You did not indicate how long you were gone on travels or how regular, but a canary would not adapt well to strangers taking care of it easily..


I hope that your consideration for a bird is more than just to provide something pretty to look at and nice to hear..birds are sentient beings. I don't know how old your children are, either. If they are young, most of the care will be up to you. Many of the decorative cages sold in pet stores are woefully inadequate to provide the necessary space requirements for a healthy bird. Even small birds need room to stretch their wings and hop about from perch to perch. Unfortunately, sometimes the perches are too large in diameter for the small bird when you get the cage large enough! Learn the special requirements of any bird species you decide to bring home. I think you need some hands on experience with birds before you decide.

You may not like this suggestion, but if you are looking for low maintenance and your child is looking for a clean, low mainteance pet, try a hamster. I think it would make a good first pet. It needs care of course, as all pets do, but as far as germs, they're much more at risk of getting human diseases than vice versa. They generally use only one corner of their cage for a "bathroom" and can be affectionate and playful and fine living solitary. the drawback is that they are nocturnal and will run all night long in their wheel and they don't live very long ( about 2 1/2 to 3 years) This may help ease you into the idea of other pets especially as your children get older. A hamster would take easier to occasional "stranger" care I think than a bird.

( I'm a former veterinary technician and have had birds, cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, snakes, mice, turtles, lizards, salamanders, newts, fish and even rehabbed a couple of wild critters )

EDIT..I always seem to do this! Forget something I think is important! You said you have a busy home. If you have many small noisy children, that too, is often a cause of concern for bird ownership. As a veterinary technician there were an amazing number of people that the clinic I worked for had contact them to try to find "quieter" homes for their overly stressed out bird who had become "mean" to a noisy child. While this happened primarily with the larger parrots, it was also a fairly frequent occurrence with budgies. A busy home, may be just too busy and stressful for a bird, depending on the noise level.

My best summation..learn much more about the bird species you find yourself attracted and find a reputable breeder/owner ( NOT a pet store) who lives at home with their birds and learn from them what living with a bird entails.

I still think it doesn't appear a good match at this point in time for you and your family. Pets may need to come later when you have more time for them.

Shalom :)

Answer 2

Canaries are generally not social birds. Meaning they can be pefectly happy as a single pet. Males sing better then females which I assume is why they cost more, but Im not sure. The canary's diet consists of canary seed and rape seed. In addition, you can supplement the bird's diet with any fruits or vegetables that you might have on hand, with the exception of avocado, which is toxic to birds. Canaries also enjoy sprouted seeds as a treat. As a FIRST pet I'd suggest the parakeet. Cheaper - easier to find and can be very friendly if handled.

As for your traveling. We travel a lot too and we have someone come in 1-2 times a day to check the birds, clean their water and feed them. But I have yet to come across a bird that was not messy. Especially during when they molt! Birds need time with you to, you cant just buy one and throw it in a cage walk by and look at it a few times a day it needs contact with you. What about germs? Do you plan on eating their stool? I'd personally opt for the largest cage I could afford over the "pretty ornate cage". If your oldest is so desperate for a pet get her a fish teach her how to care for it THEN consider a bird

Edit* blah blah blah you yourself said that you travel alot if thats the case dont get any animals regardless of if they have feathers or fur its not fair to them to be left alone

Answer 3

Birds are amazing pets! They are super easy to take care of and their waste and such doesn't smell! A canary would be a fine choice...if you can get a male, they sing. However, they are not an excellent candidate for training and handling, so if you are looking for something you can hold and teach I would go with something slightly bigger and smarter. Lovebirds are awesome pets, though a bit loud for their size and should really be kept as a single bird rather than in pairs if you would like them to be friendly and handleable. The do however come in great colors and are very entertaining little acrobats. Personally, I would get a cockatiel. They can learn all sorts of whistles and are very easy to tame. They do however, need quite a bit of attention if you do plan on training them. Despite what you may read about them, they can go a day or two without being handled and still be a best friend when you find time to take them out to play.

Answer 4

All birds are messy.
you cant get away from it. They Moult, so you get feathers everywhere, ok you can covered over seed containers, but you still get certain amount of seeds over your floor/carpet.
No such thing as a clean bird. Canaries are excellent singers more so the males. If you get a hen, she will start to lay eggs, so she will need that extra help with vitamins and calciumn ect.
Birds cant be left for long, you have to be 100% you know that the bird is going to be watered, fed and cleaned out, if you away for a few days. All animals even ourselve carry germs, just make sure you wash your hands after handling any pets and their bowls. Keep them separte from human things.

Answer 5

I really wouldn't -they're very expensive, and very fragile (many stories of them dropping dead of no apparent reason). I would really look into getting perhaps a pair of solid yellow (lutino) parakeets (color suggestion made only because you're looking at yellow canaries -parakeets come in many differant colors) -they're less fragile, less initial expense, and very wonderful, tameable pets.
A pair of keets sounds what you might be looking for.

Answer 6

im uncertain of this yet i might attempt ebay or amazon & if nto successfull on your seek i might merely google it im useful somebody interior the international has to do them? on account that u understand approximately tutor canarys ? can u answer my question i published ? its some gloster that develop into used for tutor's earlier! thank you mate

Answer 7

Go ahead. Parakeets and Zebra Finches are also nice.

Answer 8

If you live in a coal mine or near any other potential source of gas leakage, then I highly recommend it. Otherwise, it's just another mouth to feed and more crap to clean up.

Answer 9

if you buy one get a male.their great.

Answer 10

that would be great..