Canary Behavior/ Gender? Confused a bit (Long Description)

[theblackbird]

Hey,
I have a canary that is currently running an open beak along the bars of its cage. It hasn't really done this much before, but at the moment, it is constantly doing it. I was just wondering what this kind of behavior meant and if it may be that it is ready to breed.

Also, I have no idea if it is male or female as well, though I have a suspicion that it is male as its song/tweet is stronger than my other one. I have a definite female (has laid eggs) in there with him, but they are constantly fighting (not just opening beaks, but actually physical at times) It was not this bad before, but at the moment it has gotten worse. Over food, the nest, water, everything.

The female is slightly older than the other one too, although she is more submissive and usually backs off when it raises its beak at her, but I think her tolerance level is getting lower as she opens her wings and chases him away now.

I have a feeling space may be the issue a bit. My cage is (L) 45cm X (W) 35cm X (H) 35cm, but at the moment I am not able to get a bigger cage due to none in stock in the shops in town and I have to wait a little bit for them to come. But I let them out nearly every day so that they have the space. When I do, they never leave each others side, and rarely fight.

Would much appreciate it for any answers

[debbie276]

That is a tiny cage for two. Is it possible to put them in separate cages next to each other till you can get one big enough for the two of them? If the fighting is getting physical they really should not stay together.

[theblackbird]

I can get another cage of roughly the same size for the second one until I get a bigger one. Originally I had finches, and that size was perfect for them, but then I changed to what I have. I know space is a bit of an issue with them but I didn't know the standard size to keep them in :/ but I agree, I will separate them.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Not to insult your intelligence, but do you know the difference between canary chirps and trills and true canary song? A male canary will sing what is known as a tour, that goes on for several seconds (sometimes up to a minute) and is very specific to that individual bird or variety. If you're just hearing tweets and chirps and an occasional trill, you may have two females. Sometimes an exceptional hen will sing something that resembles a tour, but is still not as loud or impressive as the male's song. Two hens will argue amongst themselves - so will two males - so will a true pair. In either case, if the fighting gets serious, you should separate them. Bob

[Sam007]

I also think that you have two females. You can get very cheap good size canary breeding cages online or you can also try buying used cages from craigslist in your area.

[theblackbird]

30 Seconds to Bob I have only had zebra finches and budgies before these two, so my gender defining skills only go as far as the internet with Youtube and what I was told when I got them.

The one I'm not sure about used to sing a bit, but started to go through a moult and stopped doing it, so I haven't heard much that I can define as anything. :/

And thanks, I have just separated them for now until I can source one out. When given the space, they are inseparable, literally.

If they are two females (which you guys may all be right in thinking that) then what is the other one doing with its beak on the bars? Could this be stress then? Its just, I had a budgie that used to do something similar when he wanted to breed....

Cheers.

[debbie276]

I've never heard of the beak thing being a sign they want to breed but hey you just never know. I would have thought it was trying to find a break in the bars to get out especially if they are fighting.

[dan78]

Chewing on bars is what I have been lead to believe is a sign that there is something missing from the diet. What is it is still being debated by some canary breeders I know. What the main reason some believe is a metal missing such as zinc, iron, magnesium or others. What I would consider is giving 1/4 of a boiled egg everyday for a week or a good mineral supplement that contains these heavy metals and see how that goes.

Sexing of a canary isn't the easiest process and especially since your new, to me its more of an art form with the vent and the structure all playing its parts in the sexing of a canary. Bob is correct that females can sing and some very well too. A young male will have a song which isn't very good but progresses with time while a hen is usually short and not so many notes. The actions of your canaries to me is suggesting that 1- you have two hens both trying to establish a pecking order or territory 2- a male which isn't ready yet and isn't being pushed into breeding by the older hen.

If you do have a pair splitting them up is best for both. The male will come into season when he is ready while the hen can have a blank run of eggs to keep her in the mood. The male will let you know when he's ready by singing up a storm, standing at the end which gives him the best view of the hen and when or if he tries to feed her.

[theblackbird]

Okay, thank you all for helping out. Will try a diet change and see what happens. ;) Thanks once again everyone.