Broody Male Canary?

[Sweetie Pie]

I'm new here but have a question about my canary, Larry, that I cannot find it addressed anywhere. I've had Larry since the spring and he is less then one year old. He's been very active in his cage and is very sociable for a canary. Over time he has displayed gathering nest materials and even tries to feed and give nest materials to the little bird in the mirror. Now this week he has decided to sit and "nest" on the bottom of his cage the whole day. He gets up to eat his seeds, greens and apple slice, drink water, take a bath and poop. He doesn't sing anymore and even though it's July he doesn't appear to be molting either. He gets his 12 hours of sleep in a covered cage and occasionally he gets to fly outside of his flight cage and comes in and out of it without any problems. So everything appears fine except that he's nesting on the bottom of his cage. This is not normal for a male canary. Should I discourage him? Or should I ignore him? Originally I had a bottom grate on the cage but since he would sit on it with his legs between the bars trying to creep around to get comfortable (with a bar between his legs? Ouch!) I removed the grate and now he is sitting in the bedding of criss-cross shredded paper. I didn't want to take the chance that he might break a leg. Any suggestions? Anyone ever have a broody male canary?

[MiaCarter]

This isn't entirely unheard of.

Males are actually the more prolific nest builders in many species, including canaries.
And it's not at all uncommon for a male to "incubate". Males and females tend to share the load pretty equally when it comes to incubating and raising babies.

In cases where they don't have a mate, they will often go through the motions, just like Larry's doing.

I don't discourage this behavior because it's totally normal and healthy. Plus, the nest building gives them something to do! (Many will construct, deconstruct, then re-construct nests over and over.)

I might consider giving him a little canary nest and some nesting materials (little bits of paper towel, timothy hay, etc.) There's no risk of babies since he's alone and it will give him something to do; occupy his mind.

[lovezebs]

Sweetie Pie

With it being July, Larry might be starting into his molting period. All my guys are either molting at the moment, or getting there.

Tell me a little bit about his diet, his cage, and his daily routine. Does he actually build a bit of a nest? How long has this behavior been going on?

A bird (any bird) spending all of it's time sitting at the bottom of it's cage, sets off little warning bells in the back of my mind. How much time does he actually spend sitting down there, and is he able to perch normally when he attempts to do so? Canaries, by the way, are not ground nesters. Even if not offered a nest, they will attempt to build one in a seed cup, rather than on the bottom of the cage.

I would check his feet, his nails, his legs, to see if all is well. I would also offer him a warm lamp beside or over one corner of his cage.

Good luck.

Elana

[MiaCarter]

lovezebs -- all good points.

I did want to note that since I switched to 30x18x18 cages, my guys spend a lot of time on the floor.

This is not the case for those in some of the taller cages, but the ones in the shorter cages seem to be more comfy on the floor. (Whereas in the taller cages, the floor is for eating or for being sick.)

So anyways, just wanted to note that it seems the cage does have an impact on how much time they spend on the floor.

[lovezebs]

MiaCarter

My Canaries, do spend time bouncing around on the floor, as in eating, playing, etc. However, I haven't seen them actually sitting in one spot or corner for any period of time.

Other than my Goldbreasts, none of my birds spend any time 'sitting' at the bottom of the cage, no matter what size cage or flight they are in. The Goldbreasts, are an exception, as they do seem to enjoy sitting in a row on the floor.

Regarding Larry, the fact that he's not singing, is another factor that has me a little concerned (unless he's molting).

Elana

[MiaCarter]

lovezebs - It's funny; a month ago, I'd totally concur.

But my newest bunch of lovelies - 2 zebras and 2 crested societies - are big floor sitters. They love sitting in the corners, with the foliage overhanging them.
One of the societies even started collecting the fallen flowers that popped off the foliage and putting them in her corner.

It's curious because as you're right - most do use the food bowl instead of the floor.

I was thinking Larry may be quieter than normal because he's in nesting mode. I know all species tend to be quieter and more subdued when they're nesting.
But you're absolutely right. It could be that he's feeling unwell.

[Sweetie Pie]

I hope that I am doing this reply correctly, like I said, I'm brand new to this forum. I got an email from a woman who also raises canary's and she told me to remove the mirror from Larry's cage and he would quit being broody. I removed the mirror and can you believe it, Larry got up and spent the next 2 hours tweeting so pitifully. I hope that he's better tomorrow. Anyway Larry gets escarole, apple slices and broccoli. I've offered grapes, blueberries and carrots but he hasn't been interested in them. He gets birdseed too but nothing special because the mainstay of his diet is leafy greens, veggies and fruit. He has a nice big flight cage so he's not cramped. Someone else suggested that I give him a canary nest and some nesting materials. I had done that in the past too but he ignored it for the most part. I've found him sitting in his seed cup also (when the cover is off of it). I'm not sure he's a she or she's a he but either way I'll be happy with Larry as long as he's happy too. If anyone has anymore advice I'm always willing to hear and take note of it. I've only had Larry since April. By the way, I love the canary stories and pictures from other folks. Thanks everyone, Camille

[finchmix22]

Sweetie Pie
Canaries are similar in behavior to Green Singers. They will sing when they don't have a mate, which is fine. He is probably going through the natural mating cycle, which is usually in summer for my Green Singers. They tend to get interested in nests and mates and sing for them more mid summer to fall. Do you have any paper towel on the bottom of the cage, over the grate? That way, you can see his droppings better and make sure he is not sick. Welcome to the forum!

[MiaCarter]

Ah, so the mirror was the culprit.
That's what I was thinking since you said he was trying to feed it and share nesting with it.

He may be a bit mopey as he viewed the mirror bird as a friend.

Male canaries are tough. They tend to break my heart when they seem lonely and I always break down and get a female (which means they don't always sing as much, but they seem happier which makes me happier!)

Notably, though, you can pair them with a finch for company and they'll still sing because they don't have a canary mate.

[lovezebs]

Sweetie Pie

Hi Camille.

If Larry was singing, than he is a he (although there are some girls who will sing, it is rare, and never quite the same song as a male).

Regarding diet:
My Canary kids also enjoy a variety of greens and fruits, along with a good quality finch/canary seed mix, spray millet, and they love hard boiled eggs (which is a very important source of protein for good health and feather growth).

Among the veggies and fruits that they love, are cucumbers, carrot greens, spinach, beet greens, red swiss chard, romaine, baby spring greens, parsley, grated carrots, corn on the cob, and kale. Fruits include, apples, mandarine oranges, water melon, banana, cantaloupe, and red grapes.

Regarding the mirror... that's a tough one....
If that's the only 'companion' Larry has, then I would be inclined to leave it in the cage, but that's just my opinion.

Have you considered adding a Society Finch, as a real live companion? They are sweet natured, happy, compnionable litte finches, that get along well with any other species as a rule.

Anyway, goodluck with Larry. Sending some pictures of my Canary kids.

Elana