Moving my canaries
My canaries have been living for several years in an amazing cage in a room that I call the 'bird room.' I designed this cage after one that came from France, built around 1900, probably to house doves or quails. As you can see, it is quite spacious and my canaries have been very happy. Last year, I decided to have another cage built, but with some modifications. One big improvement is a trough surrounding the bottom of the cage, which catches seed hulls, keeping the floor beneath much neater. The front of the trough is hinged and drops down for easy cleanup. I decided to give the birds entirely new surroundings and set up the new cage in my large 'brown room.'
Most of my birds are red factor canaries and I got my first ones eleven years ago from our pet expert, Marc Morrone. We were taping a Christmas special and Marc provided all the birds for a segment called The Twelve Days of Christmas. He brought four red canaries to represent the four calling birds and even trained them to fly and land on a wreath. Those four canaries stayed with me. Marc also acquired red factor canaries for me from a breeder in Belgium. The canaries were imported and quarantined and joined my brood. I really enjoy these birds and their singing adds so much to my home.
1 My canaries have been living in this grand cage for several years and I wanted to give them a new home in a different room.
2 Named after its beautiful plumage, the Red Factor Canary is one of the most popular canaries.
3 As you can see, the inside of the cage provides ample space for exercise.
4 Carlos reaching in to catch a canary
5 One ready for transport
6 Now it's Laura's turn.
7 So very delicate - the Red Factor Canary was developed in the early 1900s by crossing a male red siskin with yellow canary.
8 Oops! This one managed to get away, but was soon safely caught.
9 Carlos and Laura have successfully captured all the canaries for transport to another room.
10 They look so beautiful in this sun beam.
11 A view from above - I count only 12 canaries - they better get busy and lay some eggs!
12 This is their new home being assembled in, what I call, the brown room.
13 New branches were cut from my fruit trees.
14 Gyurme mounts the branches inside the cage for the canaries to use as perches.
15 The canaries love hopping from branch to branch.
16 Laura attaches the feeders and calcium rich cuttlebone.
17 Many feeders for many birds
18 I love the way the canaries sound and look in the brown room and they seem very happy here. Notice the seed catch trough around the bottom of the cage? A very good idea.
Oh, this is a dream of mine,this is delightful. I only wish I had space for something so beautiful..they must bring you such great joy...I know you appreciate them and must bring such life to your home. I am hoping to find first the perfect home then maybe a pair of birds to brighten the overcast skies of the long winter that is fast approaching our Wisconsin home. Thanks again for sharing this and giving my dream a boost..
Posted by: Dianna L.Neu | October 9th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Martha, I also love birds, I have a Senagal parrot and a Blue and Gold Macaw. At one time I had 6 parrots, a couple died from old age and I had to give up a couple, because they didn't get along with the birds that were already established in my home. I also have a room for them I call it "The Bird's room." I love Mark Marone, and love what he has done to get birds, guinea pigs, cats etc. to get along. I do have a problem though, I have recently gone back to college and find that I don't have the time for my birds that I used to have. I try to spend as much extra time I have with them but I don't think that it's enough. Can you and Mark help me. Just a note I have never paid anything for any of my birds, I take them in from people who can't take care of them and birds that have been abused, like my blue and gold macaw. When I first got him, I had to feed him peanuts in his cage with a tongs. Now he eats the peanuts out of my mouth. Please can you and mark help me with my birds before they start plucking?? thank you very much
Posted by: Laura Stewart | October 9th, 2009 at 12:48 am
Beautiful!
It is my fondest wish that someday I will have a bird or two in my home. Now it's kids!
Posted by: Clayvessel at Pie in the Sky | October 9th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Hi Martha!
Your canaries are so beautiful, and the new cage too! Thank you for sharing. Daniela from Italy
Posted by: Daniela | October 9th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Hi Martha! Beautiful canaries, love the color of the new cage. I am sure they will adapt nicely in the brown room.
Bonne chance!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | October 9th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Lovely! I think I prefer the brown to the white. Do the canaries have any color preference I wonder? Canary song is so lovely. I miss it here. Had canaries years ago (yellow) first a male, then a female. The female didn't really sing and poor thing would be routinely egg-bound but I loved her just the same. Keeping birds is labor intensive because they need to be kept clean and they can be such messy little lovelies. Thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: AuntChristine | October 9th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Exquisite cages!
A cage in the Tiffany color would be nice sitting next to the brown cage. You should have a line of bird cages added with your furniture line.
This post is interesting for me because recently I have been studying Manzanita trees so that I can learn to incorporate them into weddings and other events.
In my research I learned that Manzanita branches are a favorite for bird cages.
Have you used them in your cages?
I love the framed bird prints!
~Gloria
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | October 9th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Great new Canary house!
Please share the name of the color of paint you used on it. I have been looking for a bronze-colored paint to use on a bedroom suite. I think it's beautiful!
Thanks
Posted by: Jon | October 9th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I believe walking into a home with such a lively nice sounding addition would be the best. I imagine the daily background movement and sounds adds immensely to your pleasure.
Very, very pretty.
Posted by: Margie | October 9th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I like the brown much better - the birds really stand out in it and the room is beautiful too. No doubt they like that mirror on the wall as well as all the greenery outside. I guess you'll really know how happy they are when they start laying eggs! I don't know a thing about taking care of canaries but I do love to hear them sing and watch them in a cage. Our local hospice has a big cage in the lobby with little baskets inside for the birds to poke their heads out from. So cute! It was nice to see your birdies up close Martha. Thanks. Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 9th, 2009 at 10:14 am
I really enjoy your shows, books, blogs and website and I know you are an aminal lover but I have never understood why people cage birds. To me it seems like cutting off a person's legs, not letting a bird fly. I think birds should be free Martha, with all due respect. Admire them from afar in nature.
Posted by: Julie | October 9th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Martha, what will happen to the old cage?
What are your plans for the Birdroom now that little darlings have been moved?
We will be expecting a blog about that too!
I enjoy your and Kevin's blog every morning.
Posted by: Wanda | October 9th, 2009 at 10:52 am
The birdsong coming from your aviary each and every day MUST be music to your ears! - it would be to mine!
~
I learned something new again, Martha!...I didn't know that your canaries were a cross between (male red) siskins and canaries. Siskins (in the wild) like the same kind of food as goldfinches. Do you ever allow 'baths', there within their aviary? I have read where indoor birds enjoy a little birdiebath, just as much as ones out in the wild. The newly designed ledge on the new cage, I'm sure, is going to be very effective. I'm sure, too, that floor vacuuming takes place on a daily basis around the canaries' cage (but the payoffs are sooo worth it!)
~
Happy birding, my Martha friend!
=^..^=
~
"If we keep a green bough in our heart the singing bird will come."--Chinese Proverb
~
(...honest! This proverb was the very next one in my little easel-style calendar of 101 Thot's from the Garden! [pretty nifty, huh?!] )
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 9th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Some of the most beautiful birds!
Posted by: MSTV Twitter | October 9th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Martha, The home for your birds is beautiful - too wonderful to be called a bird "cage" - this is truly a home for them. There's nothing sweeter than hearing birds singing; it's very calming and relaxing. I'm sure you'll enjoy being in their presence.
Posted by: Mary | October 9th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
The cage is awesome! Wish I had the room for something so beautiful!
Posted by: donna | October 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
looks like a beautiful cage but do canaries like to be in an enclosed room? it would be good if that cage could be moved outside during the day and brought in at night I think if I was a canary this is what I would like
Posted by: zaffie | October 9th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I wonder if they like the mirror? I suspect they would. The more space the better!
The brown cage is pretty but the white one looked very magnificent though.
Posted by: Fan | October 9th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Beautiful made!
I can hardly wait to seeing your plans for the Birdroom as per commented by "Wanda" not the "Fish" ahaha!
Give wings
to your
imagination.
Luiz Silverio
Good Luck
Posted by: Luiz Silverio Barcellos Borges | October 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Very lovely! You've done a great job with the little aviary.
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | October 9th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I love the color scheme here but I wonder if the other cage had more space? This seems like enough though. Congrats!
Posted by: Patrick | October 9th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Martha ... I have two canaries, a male and a female. The female is yellow with some white feathers on her wings, and the male is grey and white with a hint of yellow feathers on his wings. I love your cage with the chicken wire look it has. I found a cream colored vintage parrot cage in a thrift store for $25.00 what a deal. It is octagon shaped with a rippled shaped pointed octagon dome. Was it expensive to make your cage? Also my male bird stopped singing since August. He sang alot during the mating season which went on for a while ... my female laid eleven eggs total. Is there a reason for the singing to cease? He also went through a molting session recently too.
Posted by: Irene | October 9th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
It's beautiful! And, probably bigger than my bedroom closet. You're a good pet mom.
Posted by: Deborah Allard | October 9th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I would love to have the old cage, if you are thinking of giving it away!
Posted by: Lisa Goldschmidt | October 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Your birds are beautiful. How nice to be able to house so many and have help taking care of them.
Posted by: Sandy Knecht | October 9th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I once had a great little singing canary , only problem was he never seem to grow feathers on his head or neck I tried all kinds of suppliments over the years finally I found something for molting birds that worked ,but then he died shortly after growing a full set of feathers,what asinger he was.
Posted by: Janet Mase | October 9th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Hi Martha,
Such a beautiful photos of the canaries and the bird cage.
I was inspired today by your post. I repurposed a beautiful piece of black leather to make this little bird shape ring.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32340512
I mentioned your blog post in my Etsy item description, I hope you don't mind.
But if it's a problem, just let me know please.
Thank you,
Marianna
Posted by: Marianna Mills | October 9th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I am so glad to finally know what kind of canaries you have. I always hear you mention them. I am a breeder of Gloster canaries. A breed I would think you'd like. Don't know if you have manzanita like us in CA but it makes great purches. P.S. can't drive by a "red barn" now. Hope that goes away lol
Posted by: Bridge' | October 9th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Both are so beautiful and my son and I were wondering what you will do with the old one. I would hate to see either beautiful cage go to waste. Knowing Martha though, she has a plan.
Posted by: Pamela Reuter | October 9th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Martha, I love your canaries. I have two canaries of my own and they are in the "bird room". They are so precious, I couldn't live without them. Thanks for sharing the photos of your beautiful birdies.
Posted by: Leah | October 9th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Just beautiful,such delicate birds. Brings back wonderful memories of my Ukrainian grandmother who always had canaries.
Posted by: Susan | October 9th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Beautiful birds and cages! I had a canary years ago, and always love his singing. 12 canaries must be just delightful!
Posted by: Pam | October 9th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Awesome!...the birds, the cage and the trough!
Posted by: Anna Marie | October 9th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Your new cage design is both beautiful and functional. I have shared my home with red factor and Gloucester canaries in the past and they are a joy.
You have inspired me to attempt to build a scaled down version of your design Martha. Thanks for tweeting this!
Posted by: David Carroll | October 10th, 2009 at 4:32 am
Hi Martha,
Can you tell us who made the cage for you? I have canaries and would love a smaller version.
Posted by: Genevieve Cremaldi | October 10th, 2009 at 7:19 am
If I were you..I.d remove the MIRROR from behind the cage...this will focus ALL the attention on the canaries...also won.t look soooo busy !!!!! otherwise divine !!!!!!
Posted by: judi nielsen | October 10th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Years ago you made available the plans to your canary home. Any chance of this again?
I read the book "Canary Red" in Jr. High and it was a favorite of mine for years. I still remember it well! Who would think a book about a canary breeder could capture the imagination and heart of a young teen!
Posted by: Carol in NC | October 10th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
wow !! i love this bird cage..it is exquisite.. i have a conyer that would die if he were left to fly on his own...but i sure would like to see him stretch his wings a bit. someone let him loose and he flew into our backyard...landed on my husband and came inside looking for food and water...now we feel most responsible for him. we have had him for at least 7 years and he hasn't stopped talking since......
Posted by: joanne nixon | October 10th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
What are your plans for the abandoned cage? It is so beautiful!
Posted by: lil | October 10th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I had a canary when I was 3. But that was all the family could endure that I reached into the cage with glee and squoze the poor thing to death. I couldn't figure out what was wrong that he stopped making that powerful chime in the ear!!
But NOW...My friend hath a bird room too! (Not as impressive with art on the walls...but a ton of birds and several large cages makes it an event any time one enters.
I smiled to see how darling that little tip of the bird cage is!!! Did you artsifry it there, or arrange someone with compassion on your schedule to bring it forthwith!!?
Your energy yet amazes me. I blew two fuses in my mind for any kind of entertaining humans (just the cat and me now) and a fellow lawnmower out front from time to time. THE C-Cat can't have my temperament til he's full and thrist quenched.
He's got no tail anymore.
Posted by: suzetoo | October 10th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
P.S. We had an english parakeet named Tarzan...he loved the sound of water and the 3 tenors. Really. He sang at their simple level to have not arrangement or accompaniments...just the accappella...he liked the sounds of some old RichardP. and the Mo-Tabs when they do heavy heavy choral thick harmony. That never kept him quite either.
He would bob his head up and down along to the music. My sister had an AfricanGrey as well that could actually accompany the noise with his great skill for mimmickry...
Had to sell when finances collapsed the family economy. But Cody (the african grey) could quote the sound of a popcan getting the top pealed back and finish with a characteristic glub & guplping noises!! No joke...he could make the metalic sound of the tip pealing back w a minor 'clunk'. We always loved the birds.
Posted by: suzetoo | October 10th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
What a lovely home for your birds! I hope the modifications suite you well~ Are the canaries bred to me colorful or are they 'born' that way?
Posted by: Susannah @ Art Nest | October 10th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
great bird cage and lovely birds. I have thought of keeping birds because I do love the singing. I like the design of the second cage and the idea of keeping floors clean
thanks for the share with visuals!
Posted by: Denise | October 10th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Where does one find such a large, nice aviary? It's beautiful. I notice they are both different. Did someone make these to your specifications? I can imagine the sounds are glorious! Thank you, Kris.
Posted by: Krista Long | October 11th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Hi Martha, I love both of these cages and I'm sure your beautiful canaries do, also. They look so relaxed and happy, especially in the sun. What are you going to do with the original cage?! I have never had any caged birds, but I thoroughly enjoy all of the different kinds of birds that visit my property. Then there are the sea gulls and bald eagles that fly way up above my house. I always know when the bald eagles are in the area, because the crows start squawking and and try to chase the eagles to no avail. Birds are so fascinating. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 11th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I love the cage you made for your canaries! Will you share the construction instructions?
Posted by: Angie | October 12th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I love your cage martha. I use to have red factor canaries many years ago when i was breeding zebra finches. Do you feed your red factors red food. I was told by breeders to do that to keep them red as sometimes they turn a orange when they molt and the red food keep them a real nice deep red. paprika is what we used and it worked fine. It was given daily along with their treats.
I also treated my birds to a bath every day and some sun everyday,it's good for their health. The cage i had was built into the wall and was 7 feet long by 8 feet high and 4 feet wide,so they could fly all they wanted to and like you i provided bunches of branches. When it came to breeding i would select a pair and take them out of the community cage and put them in their own little house to breed,it seems to keep the calm in the big house.
Maybe one day you could post more of a close up of your individual birds,sure would love to see them. If you can find a bird store that sells special made seeds for your canaries that's better than the store bought stuff at petsmart and most pet stores.
We have a place here called All Bird Stuff http://www.allbirdstuff.com/ many people from all over the country order her special made bird foods,even i did when i moved out of town for a year and none of my birds would eat anything else. They got spoiled lol.
So anyway enjoy your birds i know i would.
Posted by: Victoria | October 12th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Hi Martha!
What beautiful birds. You must be very blessed to have such beautiful birds. Have a good weekend.
Posted by: Gabby | October 16th, 2009 at 9:12 pm