Odd Canary Behavior

[Beaker'sMom]

...or maybe it's normal, but I haven't seen it before. My canary Beaker has been behaving in a way that I consider aggressive. I am still trying to figure out if Beaker is a male or female. His/her singing has gone from being sweet and pleasant (like a hen's) to LOUD and incessant. It's still very beautiful but oh wow, it's loud. It begins at sunrise and is pretty much an all day thing. Also, I occasionally like to whistle at Beaker through the cage and today I decided to sit next to the cage with some canary song playing on my phone. Beaker began spreading his/her wings away from his/her body and glaring at me with an open beak...getting very close to my face in the process. Can anyone tell me what this behavior means?
I think it's pretty obvious, but I want to check with the experts to be sure...
Thanks!

[Zebrafincher]

Hello Beaker's Mom,

I'd say its pretty much agreed that Beaker is a boy! My canary Kevin behaves in much the same way! He sings very loud and starts at about 6-7am each morning. His behavior is telling you off or telling you watch out, I'm here, this is MY territory! Birds tend to puff themselves up and throw out their wings to make themselves appear bigger. It might be Beaker is now a young male bird, and is feeling his hormones. Kevin goes very quiet for several months whilst he moults, and peeps only. He starts whistling again however. He sounds like a sweet bird

[Beaker'sMom]

Thank you, Zebrafincher! I figured as much, but I needed the opinion of another canary owner to be sure. All this time, Beaker has been puffing up his feathers at me, and I thought it was a friendly reaction...kind of like, "Oh hey mum, you make me feel all warm and fuzzy." Then when I saw the gaping beak today, I began to think twice. Either way, I love my Beaker...what a funny little bird. The best part about having him around is that I don't have to set my back-up alarm anymore.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Loud, incessant singing from sunrise to sunset would also suggest to me that he is a he. Although I have seen the "wings spread and dropped, beak open, aggressive, territorial behavior" exhibited between two hens housed in the same cage. Especially between the more aggressive species such as timbrados or german rollers. Any new videos of the louder song? Bob

[Zebrafincher]

Canaries really get into your heart! I've had Kevin, my canary for 12 years, his cranky nature very much endears him to me..

[Beaker'sMom]

@ Bob...no new videos yet, but I will definitely post one this weekend since I'll finally be home during the day to catch some of the singing action. I kind of miss Beaker's innocent chirping...now he just glares at me when he's not singing his heart out. Must be feeling hormonal, I suppose.

@ Zebrafincher...Kevin sounds hilarious! 12 years is amazing! I hope to have my Beaker around for many years too. My husband is also crazy about the bird. Having just lost our dog to an autoimmune disorder, and not quite feeling ready for another one, this little bird brought a much-needed dose of sunshine into our lives.