Checking on My Beautiful Canaries
So many of you ask for updates on my precious pets, including my colorful and melodious red factor canaries. I am happy to report they are all doing just great and are being well cared for while I am away at Skylands, my beloved home in Maine.
I have a couple dozen or so canaries that live with me inside my Winter House. They have a large wooden cage I designed after an antique one that came from France. It sits at one end of my enclosed porch. I greet them every morning and listen to their sweet song. The babies that hatched last spring are growing fast and thriving - they are all so gorgeous. I love their company, and their curious, active personalities.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here is one beautiful bright colored canary resting on this branch we collected from outside. I find canaries to be so photogenic no matter what they’re doing.
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- The canaries do not need special toys like some other birds, but they do need strong perches with multiple branches. We change these quite often.
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- Red factor canaries are prized for their color rather than their song, but they are also very melodious singers. My canaries love to listen to classical music, which I keep on for them during the day.
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- First bred in the 1920s, the red factor is the only color canary that has an element of red as part of its plumage. Red factor canaries were developed by crossing a Venezuelan Black-Hooded Red Siskin with a yellow canary.
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- The red factor, Serinus canaria domestica, is one of the most popular canary breeds. I am always looking for the best, most nutritious seeds I can find to keep mine healthy. I provide multiple feed bowls with a buffet of seeds along with all their fresh vegetables and fruits.
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- I fill bowls and long feeders like this one. They have several eating stations from which they can feast.
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- Red factor canaries need certain nutrients to maintain their bold, colorful plumage. Fresh foods containing beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and carotenoids along with the appropriate canary seed make up a good well-balanced diet.
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- I keep all our seeds in airtight containers in one drawer of my servery. I like to transfer seeds to these clear containers, so they are easy to store. Clear containers also indicate when the supply needs replenishing.
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- I offer a variety of seeds from Lady Gouldian Finch in Irvine, California. These blends are carefully selected to provide the widest range of micronutrients for resting, breeding and molting seasons. https://ladygouldianfinch.com/
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- Every morning, the birds are also given a fresh buffet leafy greens and fruits. The birds rush to their food right away.
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- Many of the birds also have their favorites.
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- A canary’s metabolism is very fast, so it’s important to be observant of their eating needs and habits. All the greens come from my gardens – picked fresh when needed.
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- When first hatched, canaries are pale yellow-peach or orange. As they grow, they develop more red coloring from the beta carotene in their foods. On this canary, you can see three pretty color shades – peach, red and orange.
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- In general, canaries don’t like lots of handling, but my canaries are used to all the activity around them, so they are never scared when visitors approach.
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- Canaries are generally good-natured, social creatures. Healthy canaries will always have clear, bright eyes, clean, smooth feathers and curious, active dispositions.
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- The red factor canary will grow to approximately five-and-a-half inches long, making them an easily manageable size.
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- Many birds fluff up their feathers when they relax for sleep – perhaps this one is ready for a mid-morning nap.
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- They are all so beautiful and striking in color. Healthy and well-cared for canaries can live at least 10 to 12 years.
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- If you choose to keep canaries, be sure to get the largest cage your budget allows, so they have ample room to exercise, spread their wings and perch on different levels and surfaces. These birds need to be able to fly in their environment.
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- My large canary cage with all my beautiful red factor canaries is one of the focal points at my Bedford, New York home. My canaries love this location – they can see so much from the big floor to ceiling windows and doors.
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- Canaries make wonderful companions and pets – easy to care for and full of personality. What pets share your home? Please comment below.
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