Canaries

The canary is a type of finch that is native to the Canary Islands. In the wild the canary is brownish green and looks like a sparrow.

Click here to find out about wild canaries.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/reallywild/features/holiday_guide/picpops/canaries_canary.shtml

Canaries have been popular pets since Spanish sailors brought them home from the Canary Islands in 1478. Today there are many breeds of pet canary. The male birds of the German Roller and the American Singer breeds are famous for their singing.

Housing your canary
A canary can be kept in an indoor cage which should be big enough to let the bird fly around. The cage should have a plastic or metal base tray covered with sand sheets or loose sand to collect the bird's droppings. Perches in the cage should be at at different levels so the canary will get plenty of exercise as it hops from perch to perch. The cage tray should be cleaned every day or two. The cage must be placed in a position away from strong sunlight and draughts.

Feeding your canary
Pet shops sell a seed mix specially prepared for canaries. The birds should also be fed fresh fruit and vegetables such as apple, broccoli and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and watercress. (Note: do not feed your canary cabbage or lettuce) The canary should always have fresh drinking water and lukewarm water in which to take a bath. Cuttlefish bone should also be placed in the cage. It is used by the bird to trim its beak.

Life cycle
Canaries can breed when they are one year old. In spring, the male canary sings and dances to attract the female for mating. During mating, sperm passes from his body into the female. The sperm will make the eggs inside her body grow.
The female begins to lay eggs in a nest about a week after mating. She lays one egg a day for about four or five days. The female incubates the eggs by keeping them warm with her body. The eggs hatch after about thirteen days.The young are born without feathers and are blind.
The female feeds her babies with partly digested food which she brings up from inside her body.
After three weeks the young canaries have feathers and can see. They can move about but cannot fly. As they grow, new feathers replace the old and the baby canaries learn to fly. A canary is fully grown after about 12 months. Pet canaries can live for 10 or more years.

Go here to read a heap of questions and answers about canaries
http://www2.upatsix.com/faq/canary.htm

Responsible pet ownership
Canaries, like most pets, enjoy the company of people and depend on their owners for food, protection and shelter. Before becoming a pet owner think carefully about all the things you will have to do to care for your pet responsibly.

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Canaries (2002). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au