How Long Do Canaries Live?

logo by Editorial Staff | Updated on December 17th, 2022

The canaries are well-known for their beauty and a wide range of feather colors. There are currently over 200 breeds of canaries, each with its look, feather color, and song.


The canaries thrive when maintained alone or in opposite-sex couples. They are finch relatives that originated in the Canary Islands.

canaries

Canary species come in three varieties:

  • Yellow canaries 
  • Red-factor canaries
  • Variegated canaries

Life Expectancy of Canaries

Despite their small size, domestic canaries have an average life expectancy of 9 to 10 years, with some birds living up to 15 years. The canaries in the wild may live even longer, provided they avoid predators and have a plentiful food source.

The canaries live in the wild for how long?

The canaries in the wild can live even longer than domesticated canaries as long as they can survive, escape from other wild creatures in the forest, and acquire enough food to eat. Wild canaries have been reported to live up to 18 years.

The canaries live in captivity for how long?

A pet canary has an average lifetime of 6 years. Canaries are one of the world’s most popular pets owing to their ability to mimic human speech and be trained to sing. These birds are also incredibly clever, making them excellent companions for youngsters.

Canaries’ Gender and life expectancy

To begin with, gender plays an important role. Male canaries, who are also far better vocalists, live longer. On the other hand, female canaries may live as long as male canaries if they are not bred. Female canaries, on the other hand, can live for 6-7 years if regularly bred.

How to Keep Your Canaries Healthy

Taking excellent care of your canary bird, like other animals or humans, can lengthen its longevity.

Make sure you choose the largest cage you can afford. The canaries must be permitted to fly to preserve their health and happiness, and a big flight cage gives them the necessary space and security.

Feed them high-quality commercial canary seeds and provide fresh, clean water. The canaries benefit from eating modest amounts of fresh, pesticide-free greens daily. Always keep the cage clean and away from drafty situations. Even while canaries enjoy the sunshine, they should not be exposed to it directly since excessive heat can cause illness. Remember, never clip their wings.

Diet of the Canaries

Feed your canary seeds or pellets to help it live a longer life. Make sure the seeds are vitamin-coated. The canaries consume fruits, vegetables, and egg biscuits as supplements. A calcium supply, like a cuttlebone, enables robust beak and eggshell growth.

It’s also a good idea to provide fresh fruits and vegetables. Here are some suggestions:

  • apples
  • oranges
  • Green peppers with bananas
  • corn in cans
  • cooked broccoli 
  • raw collard greens 
  • fresh corn on the cob
  • pears 
  • peaches
  • strawberries
  • cucumbers
  • Squash

Facts Of Interest

Male canaries sing more than females. However, they may not sing as much during molts.

The canaries are not gregarious birds. A solitary pet canary will be content on its own.

The canaries do not require much maintenance and are ideal for first-pet bird owners.

The Canaries are quite small, measuring about 4-5 inches in length, and may survive up to ten years.

Factors Affecting Canary Bird Lifespan

A few additional factors determine a canary bird’s longevity. These major causes may cause your cherished pet bird’s life to be cut short.

Genetics

Lifestyle and genetics both have a part in determining lifespan. Inbreeding between individuals of the same lineage, on the other hand, enhances the probability of generating children. This is a possible animal welfare issue that does not just harm canaries.

The technique affects genotype frequencies, leading to an inbreeding depression tendency. As a result, weaker offspring have unfulfilling and shorter lives.

Environment

Like other pet birds, canaries acquire their daily exercise by perching from one spot to another. As a result, please provide them with a large cage that allows them to exercise their natural tendency.

Birds typically sleep for about 12 hours. They require a lot of natural light when they are awake. The weather may prevent you from putting your birds outside at times.

Alternatively, keep the cage near a window to ensure that your birds get adequate sunshine. UV light deprivation causes color blindness in your bird pets and can lead to calcium and vitamin D deficits.

Food and Diet

Feed your canaries a well-balanced meal if you want them to live long and happy life. Canary birds live mostly on seeds. Feed them twice a day or more if needed.

Remember that canaries have diverse tastes and preferences. While some people adore lettuce, others may not even like it. As a result, please give them a range of foods to see which ones your birds favor.

Most importantly, ensure they get adequate amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. Overeating should be avoided because it can lead to obesity-related problems.

Diseases

Disease prevention begins with proper feeding and treating your canary. Even with proper precautions, a few illnesses might kill your pet.

An ill canary seems depressed, tired, and has transparent belly skin. They may occasionally dip their heads beneath their relaxed wings. Other typical symptoms include a lack of appetite, decreased movement, moist feces, and napping near the food dish.

Most canary infections are caused by contact with sick birds, parasites, and organic factors like eating filthy or spoiled seeds.

Stress

The canaries are low-maintenance pets, yet they are extremely sensitive and timid. As a result, repeated stress or shock might affect them.

As a result, don’t place them in the same cage as violent birds. Almost all other types of birds are too intimidating for the canaries.

Breeding 

The canaries live for around six years on average. This is a few years behind non-breeding counterparts and males. A non-breeding female canary, on the other hand, can live as long as a male canary.

The prolonged breeding process primarily exposes them to nutritional inadequacies, eventually reducing their lifetime.

FAQs

The canaries live for how long?

The canaries can live for up to ten years or longer, depending on the circumstances mentioned.

Can canaries communicate?

The canaries do not talk, although they are recognized for their operatic-like singing.

How much do canaries weigh?

Wingspan: 7.8-9 inches

The canaries dwell where?

The canaries can be found in the Canary Islands, the Azores, Madeira, and other South African species. The canaries like semi-open habitats such as groves and orchards. These birds make their nests among shrubs and tree branches.

 

Which has a longer lifespan, male or female canaries?

Male canaries often live considerably longer than female canaries because they produce younger birds, reducing their lifetime.

Female canaries that do not reproduce may live as long as male canaries. When reproducing, the female canary lasts 6-8 years.

Is it possible for a Canary Bird to die of loneliness?

Depression and loneliness are prevalent among pet birds. Several signs suggest illness, but they might also indicate loneliness. When a canary loses a partner due to death or other causes, most become depressed or refuse to eat.

Loneliness may not directly kill a canary bird, but the illnesses that result from it may.

Conclusion

The canaries, famous for their lovely singing cocks, are some of the simplest bird pets to care for. You may have the finest time of your life on a shoestring budget. Begin by giving them a large enclosure in which to play.

A nutritious diet and vitamins will keep them healthy and robust in the face of life-threatening illnesses. Aside from keeping their cages clean, take them to a skilled exotic vet for yearly exams.

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Editorial Staff

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