How Long do Canary Birds Live?

Unlike fish or rodents, pet birds have a relatively long lifespan. Canaries are among those pet birds, that can live over a decade.

A well-kept canary bird can live and keep you company for close to 15 years. Unfortunately, not all canary birds enjoy such a long life. Their life existence depends on various factors such as genetics, food, environment and others.

Factors that Influence Canary Bird Lifespan

There are few other aspects that influence the lifespan of a canary bird. Keep reading to find out the six key factors that may shorten the life of your beloved pet bird.

– Genetics

Lifestyle and genetics play a significant role in determining longevity. However, inbreeding between members of the same lineage increases the likelihood of producing offspring affected by recessive traits. This is a potential animal wellbeing problem that does not affect the canaries only.

The practice alters genotype frequencies resulting in a trend known as inbreeding depression. As a result, weaker progeny lead an unfulfilling and shorter life.

– Environment

Unlike other pet birds, canaries get their daily exercise dose from perching from one location to another. Hence, get a wide enclosure that allows them to put their natural trait into practice.

Even if you hang or place the cage on a stand, ensure that the room is draft-free and away from air conditioning and heat vents.

Usually, birds sleep for approximately 12 hours. When awake, they require plenty of natural light on a daily basis. Sometimes, the weather may not allow you to place your birds outdoors.

As an alternative, keep the cage close to a window to expose your birds to enough sunlight. Depriving your bird pets from UV light makes them color blind and lead to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.

– Food & Diet

If you want your canaries to enjoy a long and contented life, feed them a balanced diet every day. Seeds are the staple food for canary birds. Feed them twice in a day or more if necessary.

Always empty and clean the dishes before refilling. For protein intake, give them egg food, rapeseed or canary grass. Experts recommend at least 12% of proteins per day. You can find such a combination in the formulated canary food.

Give fruits as treats and on short durations. Shred them in tiny pieces daily, but remove the leftovers after a maximum of two hours. Mash up a boiled egg and give it as a treat too. You can mix it with bread crumbs for easier consumption.

Remember canaries have different tastes and likes. While some may enjoy lettuce, others may not even come close to it. Therefore, give them a variety of food to observe what delicacies your birds prefer.

Most importantly, provide them with enough amino acid, minerals and vitamin-rich food. Avoid overfeeding as it may lead to obesity-related ailments. Although it rarely happens, obesity or nutrients deficiencies ailments may cut down canary’s lives.

– Diseases

Proper prevention of diseases starts from feeding and treating your canary well. Yet, even with appropriate measures, they are a couple of diseases that can strike your pet down. Start by differentiating the behaviors of a healthy bird from an ailing one.

A sickly canary bird appears sad, fatigued and with translucent belly skin. Sometimes, they may lower their heads below their relaxed wings. Low appetite, reduced mobility, wet feces and sleeping close to the food bowl are other common indications.

Most canary diseases originate from contact with other sick birds, parasites and organic reasons like eating dirty or spoilt seeds. Common life-threatening conditions include cholera, plague, tuberculosis, diarrhea, pneumonia, constipation and diphtheria.

– Stress

While canaries are low maintenance pets, they are overly sensitive and shy. Therefore, repeat stress or fright can affect the lifespan of your life. For that reason, avoid putting them in the same cage with aggressive birds like the parakeets. Almost all other kinds of birds are too overwhelming for the timid canaries.

Sometimes, you can keep them with selected species from the finch family. The most preferred companion is another canary of a similar sex. Restrain from placing two cocks in one cage as it can lead to fighting. Keep your birds in the most serene part of the house to avoid scaring them.

If possible, keep young children and other pets out of the room. When it gets too loud, cover the cage with a heavy blanket to prevent them from getting more stressed.

– Breeding

On average, breeding canaries lives for about six years. This is a couple of years short from non-breeding counterparts and the males. Amazingly, a non-breeding female canary can lead a longer life similar to the males.

Mainly, the enduring breeding process exposes them to nutrient deficiencies ailments which eventually reduce their lifespan.

Why did My Canary Bird Die?

Night fright remains one of the leading causes of sudden bird deaths. It is common for birds to become panic-stricken in the dark. In their terrified state, some get injuries that lead to death. Different fumes can also kill your canary in an instant.

Most common causes of death include extra heated non-stick pan fumes, matches, nail polish, perfumes, mothballs, scented candles, suntan lotions and so forth. Take your bird outdoors immediately they inhale any of the mentioned fumes.

Can Canary Bird Die of Loneliness?

Depression and loneliness in pet birds is a common occurrence. Several symptoms point out to sickness, but can also be a sign of loneliness. If a canary loses a companion to death or other factors, most fall into depression or refuse to eat.

Loneliness may not directly kill a canary bird, but ailments mushrooming from it may put them down.

Bottom Line

Famous for their melodious singing cocks, canaries are some of the easiest bird pets to keep. With a minimal budget, you can the birds the best time of their lives. Start by providing them with a spacious enclosure to play and link with others.

A healthy diet and supplements will keep them hale and hearty and strong against life-threatening ailments. Apart from keeping their cages clean, take them for yearly assessments to a qualified exotic vet.