lack of attention....

[mentoboy]

So we adopted a canary from a friend of ours, and he's looking better and singing now and all, but he still gets freaked out by people getting close to his cage. I was wondering if this was normal, or if it was a product of his being neglected for such a long time, and if there is any way to fix it. Like today, when I went to clean his cage and sterilize his perches and trays, he freaked out and started flying all around, and tried to squeeze through the bars of his cage, and got his head stuck between the food tray and the cage. I really don't want him to be afraid.

[Lori~D]

he will be afraid until he gets used to your routine. The best way I feel to clean around softbills who freak is to have two cages. Capturing them in the dark is pretty easy so if you have two cages same? You just transfer him to the new cage by catching him in the dark and putting him in the new cage. Take the old cage away and clean it for the next time. Or you can even put them door to door and shush him into the clean one and leave him alone while you take away the dirty one.

[budgzie]

Maybe put you're hand in his cage so he gets used to you being there or put your hand on the side of the cage.....it works with budgies..

[catschair]

It will just take some time. Sit near the cage and talk to him when you are not about to "invade his space". Move slowly when you are near the cage (I actually will tell a spooky bird what I am about to do -- not sure if they actually understand or are soothed by a calm, measured tone). My canaries are much calmer than my budgies or finches. Even the two that I adopted recently (who were very well socialized) are already used to the routine and actually come to the door of the flight to see what goodies are coming when they see me coming out of the house. It sounds like you are making a great start and I am so glad the little guy has found a home with you.