FINCHforum

I have a male zebra finch whose mate died. He has only one foot and is, I believe, unable to mate. I have been wanting to get a mate for my male canary (who has his own cage) and I was wondering if a canary hen could be kept in the same cage as the zebra. He's lonely and I don't want another cage with one bird in it. Thanks.

I personally wouldn't, though I'm sure some folks here would. The hen wouldn't really provide company for the zebra, which is a bird who likes to cuddle, plus I just don't trust canaries with finches unless you have a flight.

I think it would depend on the personalities of the canary and zebra. It may work...I don't know how violent a female canary can get, but if she is near enough to the male canary, she might start getting more territorial.

Zebras are pushy, but it sounds like yours is disabled, so it may be picked on by the canary.

i really dont like to be the one who always seems to be disagreeing with everyone but i dont think that it will harm anything as some canaries are extremely placid and i think it may recognise that the zerba is not very well and will sympathise with it they amy not be able to cuddle up as zebras like to do but provided they are not cramped together i think they will be ok

ken

You could at least put the cages next to each other, if you are afraid of putting them together. That would help them be less lonely.

Maybe you could try putting them in the same cage but keep your eyes on them to make sure? A "neutral" cage that neither have lived in might work best.

Bengalese get along with just about everyone

I agree with Kenny.....I've housed one very placid female red factor canary in with my small zebra finch group and it was successful. This was in a big flight cage and everyone got along.

There were six zebras and then the canary, Antiglia in the cage. Naturally you have to provide different foods for the two species.

I didn't have success in putting my male canary, Legolas Greenleaf, in with the finches. He was too aggressive and stressed everyone out.

It helps to have the cages next to each other before you put the "stranger" in. It also helps to have places were everyone can go to to get away if they have to.

depends on the indavidual nature of the birds. i once housed a couple of cock zebs with a cock canary and the zebs were very insistant on being cuddly with the canary and would force grooming upon him, the canary was very very tollerant and learned to seemingly enjoy the compan of the zebs, i did even see occasionaly him make an attempt at grooming the zebs, by very gently picking at the feathers on top of their head, it was vey sweet to see

I keep a Glouster Cock in one of my Zebra flights (30 x 18 x 36), and a Glouster hen across the aviary in the otheer Zebra flight (same size)...

You should hear him sing for her!

The canaries eat from the same feeders, and millet. They often perch betwenn Zebra', and they use the same bath....True, the canary takes a bath on their own. The Zebra's will try and ALL bath together!

I have never seen any aggressive activity.

Harry in Athens, GA USA

I never owned canaries but there is a petshop i've been to who keeps canaries with there zebras and gouldians and they seem to all be in one piece and getting along and the cages are not that big.

IME canaries get along well with most of the finches. For the most part, they ignore the finches entirely. I'd be more worried about zebras picking on canaries, but since you only have the one, you're probably ok.

I have 3 recently fledged Gouldian's, 4 young Zebra's, and, a female Canary with her last 2 chicks all in one flight cage together. They are offered their respective food choices as well as fresh corn on the cob, greens and millet spray. They all seem to be very compatable. Of course, all of them are quite young except the Canary hen. Things might change as they youngsters mature. But, so far, so good.