Finches and canaries?

Question

please tell me your experience with these two types of birds,....

what you like about them,what their dietary needs are ,etc.

and does one or the other have more bird powder,or dust that is not good for people with allergies?

Answer 1

I have worked with both and they both make very pleasant noise(well for me that is). They are actually very good starting birds expeciially canaries as the male's songs are often very beautiful. All birds I belive make some sort of featherpowder but its just a matter of how much. Canaries and Finches i don't think make a lot and it has never bothered me and Im an astma sufferer:) so I think thats either one would be a good choice for someone with allergies. If you plan on getting either one I highly reccomend a nice book on the care and housing but ive offered some basic info to get you started.

Finches being very social require one or more finches to be housed together. Very social birds so If you want to only take on the responsibility of one I would definetly purchase a male(the singers) o female canary. They should be accomodated in cage usually one built especially for small society birds which allow thme flight which is great for respitory health. They should be fed a high quality canary or finch or small brd food depending on packaging and or product. I reccomend organic to any bird but someting with no colors and artificial smells would be fine as ovetime some birds develop health issues or allergies from the dyes in colored bird foods. Along with this basic staple diet you should offer fresh greens and veggies and fruit. More veggies than fruit is prefered as they are much mre nutrtious. Carrots, kale,chard,collard greens are good starting veggies. Here is a website for dietshttp://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/birds... just be wary of avocado, rhubarb, and caffeine as well as alchohol and sugrs and salts. NO sharing food with your bird!

Grit is not needed....

I offer vegies and fresh foods in a stainless steel bowls as these basically last forever sometime slonger than the bird itself :)

Canaries and finches can be perched trained. I have even heard of some being handfed from an early age but this was an emergency matter. Canaries often will live 8-10 years depending on care while finches live around 5 years but this can be shortened or extended dpending on how well you care for him ore her.

I really hope this helps and good luck with your birds!

P.s canry males will often be territorial and fight so just get a male and female or two females or a single male or a single female canary.

Links

Canaries

http://www.avianweb.com/canariesspecies....

http://www.avianweb.com/canaryinfo.html

http://www.birdbreeders.com/availability...

Finches

http://www.birdbreeders.com/availability...

http://www.efinch.com/varieties.htm

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/finches/

Answer 2

I like finches, and canaries, though I would say that they aren't easily socailized with people.  They can be though with lots of patience. You just need to buy normal bird food from the store, and have their food available for them at all times, because they eat when they feel like it.

Answer 3

Hello Creates A

Your concern is a valid one.Finches and canaries and all birds for a fact, do produce a white film of dust.I have about 200 canaries,inside of a bird room,with proper ventilation ,and that is not  a problem for me.

I doubt if a single canary,kept in most houses in Europe,and most across the Universe,makes that much difference on the alergic reaction it will cause.

May be a good trail for you would be in a Pet shop for a lenght of time and see if it produces a reaction on you.

If it does,birds are not to be considerate for you.On the other hand,if it does not,one single canary will not make a difference that will be visible .To minimize the possibility of dust,offer your bird a bath twice a week,inside a closed bird bath,and you will be fine.

Best wishes for your new feathered friend.

The Canaryman

Answer 4

I own and breed Gouldian finches and also have a pair of societies that I use for fostering when necessary.

Finches really do not have "dust" - this is something you see in Cockatoos mostly; SOME in other large parrots.

Otherwise, it's not really "dust" that birds produce - it's the sheathing that encases a newly grown feather shedding off that may create a "dander" but with smaller birds the amount is so negligible you wouldn't really notice it.

HOWEVER - smaller birds have smaller feathers, and smaller feathers may incite more allergic responses because they float around easier, and I know from experience can be an annoyance when you're trying to clean and they blow into your face.

That being said - if you have no allergies to birds, it shouldn't be a big deal.

I have about 22 birds, and I clean the room twice a day to minimize dust, allergens and bugs.  And I don't have any problems.. but to each his own.

In terms of what I like about them..

Canaries and (some) finches both have quiet, peaceful songs (not screeching or squawking like larger hookbills); they do require a special diet in terms of a wide array of foods (not just seed; they need seed, millet, egg food, sprouts, etc. to be really healthy) but because they're so small, a little goes a long way!

It's also nice that for the most part, they are an attraction.. an ornamental pet - you don't have to worry about them not "getting enough attention" from you.