American Singer Canary - Asking for a friend

[christie99]

Hello all, I'm asking this for a friend since I don't have expierence with canaries. I'll Quote her first post, my reply, and her second reply. The biggest question is what would keep him from singing?

Anybody have any knowledge on American Singer Canaries? I bought one a few weeks ago, breeder said they sing "from morning to night". Well so far, Elvis (that's what I named him) ain't hound doggin'. Ah, I mean, he's not singing, he only peeps once in awhile. It's a nice peep but was hoping to have a singer, after all, that is why I chose "an american singer". Now wait a minute before you bash me for that last sentence. That wasn't the only reason, he is a very pretty little guy. He sort of looks like a wild finch, he's green and brown and a touch of yellow/white underneath.

Moving on with my next question for whoever wants to answer.... Can I put the canary in the same flight cage (24x18x18") with my female parakeet. She lost her mate last week and seems lonely. If I can, then should I remove the mirror toys? Would they keep the canary from singing? Eventually I will probably put him in with my other finches (Zebras, Gouldian, Shafttails). However right now that cage is a bit full as I am waiting for 4 new babies to be weaned so I can sell them. They are out of the nest now, but are still being fed by Mom & Dad AND Aunt and Uncle.

Anyway.. any helpful advise would be....well, helpful, I guess!
Thanks,
jan

My Reply:

I don't have any canaries, myself, but I have been learning about them.

First, I would not put the canary in the cage with the budgie. Not only are diets a bit different, it isn't safe to put a softbill with a hookbill.

Next, as for the singing. Is your canary molting? I do know that stops them from singing. They need to precieve themselves as looking for a mate to sing, sometimes a cd will help spur this along. Are you sure you have a male? From what I understand, only the males sing.

I'm not sure about placing a canary in with the finches. Unfortunately, this thread doesn't seem to get much action, so I will see if anyone on the NFSS boards knows the answer to your question, if you would like me to.

Her Reply:

Thanks for your reply, Christie. I was told by the breeder that this was a male and that they were great singers, and he is not molting. Maybe he's not settled in yet. Right now I have him in a smaller temporary cage, maybe once he's in a bigger flight cage he'll feel like singing. Today I played a canary song sample I found on the internet and he seemed very interested and chirpped but didn't sing. Maybe I did get a female.

I'd appreciate any other info you find. I'm pretty sure I will be able to put him in with the finches, I believe canaries are actually a type of finch. He's not much bigger than my Gouldians, he just has a longer tail. He doesn't look like the chubby yellow canaries, that people normally associate with being a canary.

My Last Reply:

I would DNA test the bird to see if the breeder was correct.

The reason I wasn't sure if you should put them together is if he is going to sing, they have to see themselves as alone. I also don't know how agressive canaries are. I do know that there are some species of finch you can't put together because they will fight.

Does anyone know anything beyond what I've told her??

[Powder]

It can take a while...weeks even before he feels the desire to sing in new surroundings. Treats, fresh water, cuttle bone all that stuff and music...mine loves bluegrass. It's beautiful when he sings. I know that canaries and finches can go together fine. I also know that having mirrors in the cage for canaries will keep them from singing. I don't know about a parakeet and canary, but for some reason that doesn't seem like a good idea, especially if your hoping to hear some songs. Mine loves the sunshine and that can also help w/ the singing. Molting should be over....mine molted around May - Aug. or so. He sounds very pretty, at least you can enjoy his colors....just hang in there, he may start any day now, especially w/ music...

[christie99]

Thank you Powder. I will relay the information.