canary/finchs

[amalan11]

not a finch question but has anyone had a canary in with finchs? apparently only a single male will sing but im worried its cruel to have only one of a species..do you think its cruel? or would 2 males sing?

[Tintola]

Canaries will sing regardless, but will sing much more, and more often when no hens are around. The purpose of the song is to attract a mate. I have had canaries with several males and hens in the one aviary and there is some fighting but nothing too serious. Two males together will try to outdo each other but will squabble a bit. I find they mix with finches quite well but have the potential to cross breed with related species such as goldfinches and greenfinches and to a somewhat lesser extent with siskins and singers.

Cruel ?????? No more cruel than keeping a single bird in a small cage. They are a very domesticated species.

[djb78]

Hi amalan I keep canaries with finches,I don't have any problems. Keeping a male by itself is normal procedure as people like to keep a whistler so keeping it by its self is up to you. As for keeping two males together they may end up quarreling amongst themselves but they will whistle alot more.

[vettepilot_6]

I have kept Canaries with finches with no problems.....But then again I have kept Java Sparrows Budgies in with Finches also...but it was a very very big avairy

[amalan11]

ok thanks,guess I can discount 2 males if they may squabble.Guess I could get a pair then if he would still sing sometimes.I just remember years ago my old cocky who was on his own for a year he survived fine but when he got a female galah for company it just changed his life he was so happy and active ,they are always together even 17 years later..made me realise how boring his life must have been before she came

[danielnaylor]

i find a male with 2 females will sing alot more than with a single female

[amalan11]

lol think most males are a bit that way