HARVARD UNIVERSITY. LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF ie eas ZOOLOGY 01, 90% Cichamgu. poly 10, 1923. 1327 ULTURE e fy O ae Zz. be 2 < A. [1] eS MANAGEMENT D. gor AGRIC FARMERS’ BULLETIN No. U ale MEET ‘the requests continually received for information on the care of canaries in sickness and health, this bulletin has been compiled from numerous sources, including personal experiences and observations of the author. It is intended for all who are interested in canaries. This bulletin is a revision of and supersedes Farm- ers’ Bulletin 770. Washington, D, C. Issued May, 1923. II CANARIES: THEIR CARE AND MANAGEMENT. By ALEXANDER WETMORE, Assistant Biologist, Division of Biological Investigations, Bureau of Biological Survey. CONTENTS. Page. Page Introduction 2225 US eka eee Lil BB receding 7s eis bee ee 13 TASH Ae a mee Pa) SEraehin Rik) oe eS eee 15 Warieties t= 262 nb hes 2 eee 3) AVS T Ty eS Sse Ses ee 16 Cs Ae rn eS 5. || sCare of, feet and, bill=s_ = 4222 = ley Care of cazest= oe eS (1 SDiseasesy andhinjuLies === ee 17 Indoor and outdoor aviaries_______ 8 BrokenWiimbs 2332s 5 Sse es 18 GiGi se eS ee ee 9 Loss of feathers about head__~ 18 BS Glin eye eats Rees ee Se 10 Respiratory troubles _____--_~_ 19 Cay Nek ee ON TN OE IE hea ee 11 Intestinal complaints _________ 19 Color: teedinie == Beers Se SE 12° Bibliography = Se 20 INTRODUCTION. ea THE BIRDS kept for household pets none is more common or better known than the canary. So simple are its requirements in the way of food and care that it needs little attention, and because of its pleasing songs and interesting habits it is a universal favorite. Readily adaptable to cage life, canaries dis- play little of the fear shown by wild birds in captivity, and the ease with which they may be induced to nest and rear young adds to their popularity. Canaries have been domesticated for several hundred years and, though more common in western Europe and the United States than elsewhere, have been carried over practically the entire civilized world. In England and Germany there are hundreds of canary breeders and many avicultural societies. Several periodicals deal- ing solely with cage birds are published there, and in the larger cities bird exhibitions are held annually. Similar activities in the United States, while of younger growth, are making considerable progress. During the 10-year period prior to 1915 more than 3,250,000 cana- ries were imported into the United States, mainly from Germany and England. With the continuance of the World War the number _ brought in decreased steadily, until it fell from an average of more than 1,000 birds per day in 1914 to about 10,000 for the year 1918. Importations from Germany practically ceased, and comparatively few birds were to be obtained from England, so that dealers were forced to look to the Orient, mainly to China, for the small number secured. This depression continued until 1920, but with return to more normal conditions in 1921, about 70,000 were imported, and in 1922 more than 150,000, largely from the former sources in Europe as well as the Orient. Canaries seem to thrive in any climate where not exposed to too severe weather conditions, and in spite of the long period they have 1 9 Farmers’ Bulletin 1327. been protected and held in captivity they are capable of enduring a surprising degree of cold when hardened to it. In England it is not unusual to find them in outdoor aviaries throughout the year, and in the comparatively mild climate of California they thrive under these conditions. They seem able to establish themselves again in a wild state under favorable circumstances. A brood of domestic canaries released in 1909 on Midway Island, a sandy islet in the Hawaiian group, had increased by 1914 until it was estimated that it numbered about 1,000. HISTORY. The origin of the canary as a cage bird is as obscure as is the early history of other domesticated animals. It seems probable that captive canaries were first secured from the Canary Islands, a group with which they have long been popularly associated. There are in the Old World, however, two closely allied forms from which — the domesticated ca- nary may have come. One of these, the bird now recognized as the “wild canary,” is found in the Canary Islands (with the exception of the islands of Fuer- teventura and Lanza- rote), Madeira, and the Azores. ‘This form is illustrated in Figure 1. The other form, the serin finch, ranges through southern Eu- \ rope and northern Fic. 1.—Wild canary. Africa, extending eastward into Pales- tine and Asia Minor. In a wild state these two forms are very similar in color and to a novice are hardly distinguishable. If, as is supposed, the original supply of canaries came from the Canary Islands, it may be considered doubtful that the stock thus secured has furnished the ancestors of all our canaries. The slight differences in color between the serin finch and the canary would probably have passed unnoticed by early ornithologists and bird lovers. With bird catching a widespread practice in middle and southern Europe, the serin would often be made captive and be accepted without question as a canary. In this way serins and wild canaries may have been interbred until all distinguishable differences were lost. The original canary, whether serin or true wild canary, in its native haunt was much different in color from its modern pure-bred descendant. The back of the wild bird is, in general, gray, tinged with olive-green, especially on the rump, with dark shaft streaks on 1 The scientific name of the serin is Serinus serinus serinus. The wild canary is known as Serinus s. canarius. Both were first described by Linnaeus. Canaries: Their Care and Management. 8 the feathers. Underneath it is yellowish, streaked on sides and flanks with dusky. Wild canaries from the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira differ from the Continental serins in being slightly grayer with less of yellowish green in the plumage above. In addition, the rump is duller yellow and the bill is distinctly larger. Al the wild birds have the feet and legs (tarsi) horn brown, the upper half of the bill dark brown or horn color, and the lower half paler. Both of the wild varieties inhabit vineyards, thickets, and more open country where bordered by trees. At times, during fall and winter, great flocks are found together. The birds feed upon various seeds and occasionally eat figs or other small fruits in season. In a wild state they nest early in spring and again later, rearing two broods. The nest, made of plant stems and grasses and lined with _ hair and plant downs, is placed in bushes or low trees. The eggs are clear green in color, spotted and clouded with deep wine red and red- dish brown. From three to five eggs are deposited. VARIETIES. Variation among domesticated canaries began early, as Hernandez, in 1587, speaks of the canary as wholly yellow in color save for the tips of the wings. The various forms have had their origin in dis- tinct geographic areas, and though some are almost extinct at present, all at one time or another have had a devoted following of fanciers. At present at least 14 distinct strains, with a large number of varie- ties, are known. The common canary is reared primarily for its song, and from it probably came the roller, or song canary, a great favorite in Germany and, more recently, in Engiand and the United States. In rearing song canaries attempt is made to produce males with clear, soft, pleasing songs with long rolls or trills, and no attention whatever is paid to other characters. These birds, therefore, may be nonde- script as regards color and appearance, and in mating care is taken guy te secure males that are good singers and females from good stock. The young birds when fledged are put in rooms with males noted for their soft song, and here, through imitation, they develop their own vocal powers. Careful watch is kept over them, and any bird that develops harsh notes is removed at once to prevent his corrupt- ing the purity of tone in the song of his brothers. A mechanical instrument known as a bird organ, that produces liquid trills, is frequently utilized in training, usually when the adult birds are silent during molt. Ordinarily the room where song canaries are being trained is darkened, and frequently the cages containing the young birds are screened with cloth to lessen a tendency to objection- able loudness of song. In six months or less, their education com- pleted, these songsters may be sold or in their turn utilized in train- ing others still younger. It is common to teach these birds some simple strain or air, through its constant repetition by whistling or by. means of an instrument. Well-trained birds are popular pets and frequently bring high prices. 4 Farmers’ Bulletin 1327. In the class of exhibition birds, perhaps none is more striking than the Belgian canary, pictured in Figure 2. Formerly known as the “ king of the fancy,” it was reared extensively in Belgium, but of late years its popularity has been on the decline, so that as late as 1911 it was said that few pure-bred Belgians were to be found. The typical Belgian canary is a large bird with a small head, long, slender neck, large shoulders, and a long, tapering body. It is pri- marily a bird of “position.” When assuming the peculiar and de- sired attitude the bird throws its shoulders up and brings the head down well beiow their level; the back and tail form a perpendicular line and the feet are held close together. Another bird of position is the Scotch fancy canary, illustrated in Figure 3. This variety resembles the Belgian, but when in position Fic. 2.—Belgian fancy canary. Fic. 3.—Scotch fancy canary. throws the tail in under the perch until its outline in profile is almost a semicircle. Another well-marked variety is the cinnamon canary, one of the earliest forms to appear, but one whose origin is wholly unknown. Its true color is a dun or dull brown that has been likened to cinnamon. In exhibition birds the color is usually intensified by color feeding (see p. 14). The cinnamon canary is peculiar also in possessing red or pink eyes, a character that denotes cinnamon blood even in a yellow or buff bird.. The cinnamon inheritance is trans- mitted only by the male; young reared from a cinnamon mother and a male of any other form lacking cinnamon blood never show signs of their cinnamon parentage. Among the old-established varieties that now are in decadence none is more striking than the lizard canary. Lizard canaries are known as “ gold” or “ silver,” according as the body color is yellow or silvery gray. The wings and tail are black and the back is spangled with numerous somewhat triangular black spots. The crown in pure-bred birds is unspotted and light in color, as shown in Figure 4. Canaries: Their Care and Management. 5 The crested canary, pictured in Figure 5, is another unusual form, with a long crest that extends down around the head below the level of the eyes. Another, the frill or Dutch frill canary, is a large bird with long curling feathers. The Lancashire is the largest of known varieties of the canary, standing head and shoulders above all others. These “giant” ca- naries may be crested or smooth headed. Other forms that may be mentioned are the Border Fancy, a small bird; and the Norwich, or Norwich plain-head, from which come many of the com- mon canaries. It must not be supposed that the varieties of canaries enumerated above Z cover the entire field. Fig. 4.—Lizard canary. For each of the main forms there are almost endless groups or divisions that have been developed on color peculiarities. To obtain pure-bred birds requires constant care and supervision, and with any slackness of method hosts of mongrels ap- pear. Interbreeding between various forms, even though they differ widely in color, results in re- version to the orig- inal type, which was a spotted or striped greenish bird, cer- tain proof of the common origin of all. CAGES. When choosing cages in which to keep canaries, the Fig. 5.—Crested canary. primary considera- tion should be the comfort of the birds, and this should not be sacrificed to any desire for ornate appearance. There are several types on the market, any of which may serve. So far as shape is concerned, a square cage is best, as it affords more room for exercise than one that is round. 6 Farmers’ Bulletin 1327. For one bird, the cage should not be less than 94 inches long, 64 inches wide, and 9 inches high. A larger size is to be preferred. The ordinary cages obtained from dealers in this country are made of wire and are open on all sides. Lach is fitted with receptacles for food and water, usually at opposite ends. A fine-mesh wire screen may be bought from the dealer and fastened around the lower half of the cage to prevent the scattering of seeds and seed hulls. A com- mon substitute for this is a simple muslin bag, held in place by a drawstring fastening tightly about the middle of the cage. In a cage of ordinary size three perches are sufficient. One may be placed at either end at a distance that will allow easy access to the food and water receptacles, and the third elevated above the middle of the cage at its center. Another convenient arrangement is to run one perch lengthwise of the cage, in such way that the bird may reach the feeding receptacles from it, and to place the two other perches transversely above it near either end. A bird confined in small quarters is dependent for exercise on hopping about from perch to perch, and this arrangement will give the maximum freedom of movement. In larger cages four perches may be advisable. These should not be placed so that they interfere with the free movement of the bird, and for reasons of cleanliness one perch should not be directly above another. In small wire cages, if the swing perch usually found suspended in the center is removed, the bird will have more room, and in hopping back and forth will not be continually striking head or wings. In larger cages this perch may remain. Perches should be large enough for the toes of the bird to grasp them readily and encircle them for three-fourths of their circum- ference. If they are too small they cramp the foot, while if too large they may cause malformed toes or claws, especially in young birds. Perches should be elliptical in shape, about three-eighths of an inch in the long diameter, which should be horizontal. If those furnished with the cage do not meet these requirements, others may be made from soft wood without much trouble. Cages in which canaries are to breed must be large and roomy in comparison with those intended for single occupants. An English authority gives the standard size for breeding cages as 22 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 16 inches high. Several types of open breeding cages made of wire may be obtained, or a box with a re- movable wire front may be made. If it is planned to use wooden cages for several seasons they should be enameled or whitewashed in- side to permit thorough cleaning. Such cages should be smooth in- side and any with cracked or warped boards should be avoided, as crevices may harbor dirt or mites. Though cages may be made of wire screen this is not advised, as cages so constructed become very dirty, and there is danger that birds may catch their claws in the wire and become injured. Where numbers of canaries are kept box cages with wire fronts are convenient, as they may be placed in racks one above another or ar- ranged on a series of shelves along the wall of the bird room. They are provided with a sand tray three-fourths of an inch deep that slides in and out from the front and facilitates cleaning. Perches for these cages may be adjusted in the following manner: One end is notched and the other has a brad driven in it filed to a sharp point. The sharpened brad is pressed against the back of the cage and a Canaries: Their Care and Management. 7 wire on the front is slipped into the notch. If made the right length the pressure of the wire will hold the perch in position. For shipping birds the small wicker cages in which canaries come to dealers are best. These are fitted with deep, narrow-necked food and water receptacles that do not readily spill, so that there is a minimum of waste during the journey. A small packet or sack of seed should be tied to the outside of the cage in order that the bird’s supply may be replenished en route. CARE OF CAGES. Though canaries when acclimated can endure a great degree of cold without discomfort, they are susceptible to sudden changes in | temperature, and cold drafts may soon prove fatal. This should be borne ih mind in choosing a place for the cage. Direct exposure to a strong draft of cold air must always be avoided. A cage may be placed on a small shelf along the wall or suspended from a bracket attached to the wall or window casing. Swinging brackets are inex- pensive and are convenient for use when it is impracticable to fasten hooks in the ceiling. When one or two canaries are kept as pets, it is usual to suspend their cages before a window, where the birds may enjoy light and sunshine, a good practice where the window is kept closed during cool or stormy weather and the joints are tight. It may be necessary to line the edges of the window frame and the junc- tion of the upper and lower halves of the window with weather strip- ping to prevent drafts, and it is best to suspend the cage so that it will hang opposite or below the junction of the two halves of the window frame. The room must remain at a fairly even temperature day and night, and in cold weather it is well to cover the cage with a towel or other light cloth at night. A cage should never be sus- pended directly above a radiator, and it is best to avoid keeping birds in small kitchens, as the fluctuations in heat are perhaps more marked there than in any other part of the house. Exposure to damp air may prove fatal, another reason for avoiding the steam-laden air of small kitchens. Wherever placed, the cage must be kept scrupulously clean if the canary is to remain in good health and free from vermin. The supply of water should be renewed daily, and the seed cup replen- ished at least every other day. The receptacles for these necessities should be cleaned and washed carefully at short intervals. Cages that have removable bases should have the tray in.the bottom coy- ered with several thicknesses of paper, or the heavy coarse-grained sandpaper, known as gravel paper, that may be secured from dealers in cage-bird supplies, may be used. This should be renewed when- ever the cage is cleaned, and in addition the pan should be washed in hot water from time to time. Lime on the perches may be re- moved by means of a scraper made of a bit of tin fastened to a wire or tacked at right angles to a stick small enough to pass easily be- tween the wires of the cage. Cages with bottom attached should be provided with a sand tray that slides in and out through a slot in the front. This serves to catch droppings, seed hulls, and other day and may be easily pulled out, cleaned, and refilled with fresh sand. 30312°—23——2 8 Farmers’ Bulletin 1327. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AVIARIES. Those who keep birds for pleasure, and who do not care to breed them for exhibition or to maintain any particular standard, may receive much enjoyment from aviaries in which numbers of canaries are kept in one inclosure. The size of the aviary or bird room will be governed wholly by circumstances, as it may range from an entire room to a small screened inclosure or part of a conservatory. A room large enough for the owner to enter without unduly frighten- ing the occupants makes an ideal indoor aviary, and where space permits it may be fitted up without great expense. The floor should be covered to the depth of half an inch to an inch with clean sand or sawdust. Small evergreen trees planted in large pots furnish suit- able decorations, and may be replaced from time to time as they are destroyed by the inmates of the aviary. A branching déad tree and one or two limbs nailed across corners at suitable heights fur- nish more artistic jperches than straight rods. In addition, pegs 4 or 5 inches long may be driven or nailed to the walls to furnish resting laces. . Seed should be supplied in self-regulating hoppers, preferably attached to the wall, and water given in self-feeding fountain con- tainers. These become less dirty than open dishes placed on the floor. Sand must be furnished in a box or dish where it is not used on the floor. Soft foods and green foods may be supplied on little shelves or a small table. At the proper season nesting boxes may be hung on the walls, and nesting material supplied in racks or in open-mesh bags hung to some support.