Care guide
Canary and Finch Care Guide: Diet, Housing and Breeding
Avilumen editorial team ·
Canaries, zebra finches, Gouldian finches, munias and goldfinches are small birds you enjoy watching and listening to rather than handling. They don't seek human contact the way a parrot does, but they are ideal for anyone who wants active birds with a pleasant song and simple care.
At a glance
- Size
- 10–14 cm
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years; canaries can reach 15
- Noise level
- Low; male canaries sing
- Experience
- Beginner
- Space
- Long flight cage or aviary
Approximate values: they vary by species and individual bird.
Diet
They are seed eaters: a species-specific seed mix (for canaries or for exotic finches) is the right base. Round it out with leafy greens, sprouted seeds and, during breeding or molting, egg food.
They need calcium (cuttlebone or oyster shell grit) and minerals. Gouldian finches also appreciate grass seeds and sprouts.
- Fresh water every day; twice a day in summer.
- Never feed avocado, chocolate, salt or table scraps.
- A shallow bath several times a week.
Housing
Finches fly horizontally and don't climb like parrots, so the cage should be longer than it is tall: at least 60 cm long for a pair, and much more for a group. A sheltered outdoor aviary is ideal in mild climates.
Perches should leave open space to fly from end to end; don't fill the cage with toys. Finches are sensitive to drafts and cooking fumes.
Health
Red mites (Dermanyssus) live in cage crevices and bite the birds at night, causing anemia and itching. Check the cage with a flashlight at night and clean it thoroughly on a regular basis.
Gouldian finches are prone to air sac mites, which cause noisy breathing and clicking sounds. An avian vet can treat it.
Song and behavior
Only male canaries sing, and they sing most intensely in spring. Zebra finches keep up a constant, cheerful call. Finches do better in pairs or groups than alone, except for male song canaries, which are usually kept alone so they sing more.
Breeding
Canaries breed in a cup nest and lay 3 to 5 eggs; the hen incubates for about 13 days. Zebra finches breed so readily that it's best to remove the nest to prevent back-to-back clutches that exhaust the hen. Add egg food during breeding.
Legal status
Domestic canaries, zebra finches and Gouldian finches have been bred in captivity for generations. Trapping goldfinches and other wild birds, however, is illegal in many countries: only buy banded birds from breeders.
This guide is for information only and does not replace advice from an avian vet. Before getting a bird, check the law in your country and ask for CITES paperwork. This site does not sell or broker live animals.
Frequently asked questions
- What do canaries eat?
- Canaries eat a canary seed mix as the base of their diet, fresh leafy greens, sprouted seeds, a cuttlebone for calcium and egg food during breeding and molting.
- How long do canaries live?
- A canary usually lives 8 to 10 years and can reach 15 with good care. Zebra finches live 5 to 10 years.
- Do female canaries sing?
- No. In canaries, the elaborate song belongs to the male; the female canary only makes short calls. If a canary sings continuously, it is almost certainly a male.
- What size cage does a finch need?
- A finch needs a cage that is longer than it is tall so it can fly: at least 60 centimeters long for a pair of finches, and more for a group. An aviary is ideal for finches.
