Thank you to everyone I've met this past sales season! Both Old and New Canaries Friends can be a good benefit of breeding and shipping birds across the USA! I wish everyone a good summer and may we meet again! 2026 sales may tentatively begin in October/November 2026.
Shipping and sales information may be found here:
montanacanaries.blogspot.com/p/sale-and-shipping-information.html
This is one of the most common questions I am asked. Just today three people messaged to ask if I fed pellets. One person said her vet recommended a pellet diet over an all seed diet.
I think the question should be: "Do I feed an exclusive pellet diet, or a pellet-supplemented diet, or no pellets at all?"
Many people like a pellet diet for less uneaten seeds and seed hulls. And there are many brands of pelleted feed designed for various types of season and birds. For example, don’t use a breeding pellet for a pet bird. Some are colored and scented; others are plain. Surprisingly, two friends who use pellets for either supplementing a seed diet or as a full diet of pet birds say the plain ones are preferred by the birds.
I realize the veterinarians recommend pellets. I do believe it is hard to find fresh seed and correct seed mixes for the average pet canary owner. Local pet shops never seem to have fresh seed and Big Box stores are also lacking. For the average bird owner, a good fresh seed may be unavailable. Several years ago, the more popular manufacturers have gone to finch/canary mixes which is an unhealthy choice for canaries. In that sense, it may be the best advice to recommend a pellet mix. However I think Amazon has broadened the options and offers more appropriate choices.
Personally I won’t use pellets as a regular part of my basic canary diet. For my own reasons. No judgement on anyone else!
First, the main drive for wild birds is foraging and for our cage birds also. Feeding an assortment of foods/seeds/grains gives my birds something to do that satisfies the instinct in them that says ‘find food to survive'. This foraging also provides a huge part of entertainment. I feel variety is the spice of life for birds as well as people.
Secondly, we strive to feed ourselves an assortment of ‘live food’, with various forms of enzymes, nutrients, fats and oils etc. In the case of us humans, no one has yet found a processed single food or supplement pill that delivers the health-giving nutrition as efficiently as a varied diet of minimally processed fresh foods. Why would it be any different for our birds?
I believe supplements are beneficial at various times in a human diet and I believe also helpful in the diet of our birds. I do feed various supplements to the birds. Several breeders I know feed pellets in this way.
While I do not believe pellets are in any way a necessary food item to feed our birds, I view them in the same way as any other part of a healthy diet. If there is a product that supplies some necessary nutrient, in a most efficient way, which I could buy at a reasonable price, I would at least give it a trial.
In the past year, I used pellets to supplement my soft food during breeding simply because I liked the texture of it. I soak them just 5 minutes and add to my dry mix with hard boiled eggs, in much the same manner as Perle Morbide or couscous. I did try four different brands/types of pellets before I found one that my birds will eat.
I do not offer pellets outside the breeding/molting season.
There have been a few improvements to my bird room!
Please take a look at the YouTube video I posted in Early May!
1/25/2025 update:
My Sales Birds are low in numbers.
Sales will be suspended in early 2025.
2025 youngsters will be available beginning
in October 2025.
If you are interested in a canary, please drop me a note.
I'd love to discover specifically what you are looking for!
The birds themselves are the reason I own canaries! But two things have given me great JOY since I began keeping canaries.
NUMBER ONE is finding a mentor.... an experienced bird keeper who has wisdom to share and patience to keep helping you for several or many years. A Huge THANK YOU goes to Bruce Thompson, of Canary One Aviary, Tom Cubbage, of Bird Connection, and Susan Bergel, of Susan's Canaries.
NUMBER TWO is JOINING A CLUB!
There is not a local bird club within driving distance here in Montana, so I chose several out of state clubs to join. I chose several breed-specific clubs, and a 'local-but-not-local-to-me' club, based outside my state of Montana, in the Portland OR to Vancouver WA area.
I HIGHLY recommend joining this, or other club, even if you are unable to attend physical meetings. Do a little homework, email or call a few members, and ask if they have a regular newsletter. You will get a feel for their attitude by their responses.
LOCAL or REGIONAL CLUBS:
The Columbia Canary Club has members outside their immediate area, with most members sharing the 'bond that binds them' in their November Show and several Sales throughout the year. I was encouraged to join by Lori who owns Yellowstone Finches, after she told of her trips to the CCC show with a car load of caged birds! :)
The club made a decision to continue their monthly meetings even through Covid restrictions and began Zoom meetings. This was great for me as I was able to join in their Zoom meetings! I have been so fortunate to learn a little about the members that attended. They are a group with genuine friendships among the group. They are a large group of people who celebrate their common love of birds. They are interested in YOU and YOUR birds, and listen to YOU. I have found them welcoming! :)
They are dedicated to their show, and exhibiting their birds. Many members attend the National Bird Show as a group, with many also exhibiting their birds... and winning. They are serious, knowledgeable bird owners, willing to learn about your birds and to help with questions or problems you may have.
On a 'normal' year, I would not be attending meetings since there are many, many miles between Montana and Oregon! And, in the foreseeable future, I will not be able to exhibit or attend a CCC show. But, I am so enjoying being a member of the Columbia Canary Club!
I volunteered to help 'from a distance' and was given an opportunity to help with their Facebook group.
They have an amazing monthly newsletter that is worth the price of membership.
There are interesting articles, many written by club member.
There are cartoons, humorous tidbits, and ads of birds for sale.
The club has an active Facebook group.
The obvious membership benefit of club leg bands is also available.
BREED-SPECIFIC CLUBS:
I am finding help, advice and encouragement from members of the International Fife Fancy Club of America. This is a 'specialty club' with members from across the USA, who share a common love for the Fife Fancy canary. Their annual meeting is in person at the National Bird Show. This is my third year as member, and am currently serving as Secretary and Director on their Board. Thanks to the supportive and encouraging members who have answered my questions, I am planning to attend a national show in 2023 with birds to exhibit!
The club traces it's first meetings back to the early 1960's and is dedicated to providing valuable information about care, breeding, and exhibiting Fife Fancy canaries. Both experienced breeders and first time pet owners are on the membership list. There is a Facebook group, newsletter, and current website to provide good information to both champion and novice breeders as well as addicted pet owners. Breed specific leg bands are sold to members.
I am involved in the Facebook group of this club as well as helping with the newsletter. This group amazes me with the list of ideas/activities they are hoping to begin over the next year. Wow, there is energy to spare in this club! In the recent past, the club has hosted the Fife Fancy Division at the NBS. I am so happy to be involved in their new goals.
OTHER CLUBS of which I am a member:
The American Singer breed-specific club I joined is the only source for bands of this specific breed, and maintains a breeder registry. I have found members with show cages to sell (which are no longer being manufactured and impossible to find new). I feel I would be able to find help with specific problems if I asked. There are affiliated local chapters around the USA, and these clubs may be an appropriate place to find a mentor, advisor, or fellowship at local meetings. I have been a long-distance member for seven years, and unable to attend a song contest, but all members are welcome to attend with birds or just to watch/learn. Dragon Chapter 22 of the ASC is one regional club located in Michigan.
I am also a member of the Florida Canary Fanciers Club, just for the opportunity to attend their virtual meetings and to be aware of the news of shows and various activities they may be planning. They also have a Facebook group for members to ask questions.
A club that may seem unusual for me to join is the London Fancy Club. It is a UK based breed specific club. I am a member for two reasons: 1) I love the look of the London Fancy canary. I have one family line that has 'matched variegation' although not of the type as the London Fancy. 2) I would love to own a few London Fancy canaries, and I am anxiously watching the breeders' efforts and results. Maybe someday, there will be London Fancies in Montana, USA!
If you are able to attend a club near you, please do so!
If you cannot find a local club, please consider joining a regional or national club!
Here is a list of clubs, most within the USA, both national and regional. Some clubs are cage bird associations, not limited to canaries. Others are dedicated to a single breed.
https://www.sscanaries.com/p/clubs.html
