Join a Canary Club --- the benefits may surprise you!

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

WHERE I Buy Seed Mixes

When everything in my canaries' diet must be shipped into my state, COST EFFICIENCY becomes very important.... especially when the number of birds in my home is nearing 200!!!

It is a 200+ mile one way drive to the nearest feed store that would order large bags of canary seed.  But, UPS and FedEx come right to my door!  :)  So, of course, I have 'shopped around' for the online shops with the best prices and the freshest seed.  Besides seed, I also order oatmeal, rolled wheat flakes, poppy seeds, and powdered kelp for my soft food mix, as well as medications and vitamin/mineral supplements.

I am sharing my favorite suppliers. Prices on each item and on shipping costs vary week by week, but these are the ones I recommend.  :)

NOTE:  Quality depends upon the seed used and storage conditions. There will be good and bad of both manufactures and sellers.  Several of these I have used for 3 years or more; others I have only ordered for a year.  These have been the best FOR ME, at this time.

My favorite basic seed mix is a Royal Feeds Roller Canary Mix produced by Leach Grain and Feed. (large and small bags)  

In three years, I have not gotten a stale or dirty bag.  I have ordered from several places, but Wingz Store often has the best price including shipping.  They don't ship immediately every time, but do pack the bag well and it's always fresh.  They also sell other canary mixes as well as individual seeds.

I supplement the basic mix with the Sleek & Sassy Song Treat during molt and in pre-breeding conditioning.  It has a slightly different combination of seeds than the traditional song mix. (large and small bags)

I have used My Parrot Food for over three years.  It has been very clean and fresh, with no pests... also arrives quickly, and well packed.  They also produce Garden and Standard Canary mixes, as well as individual seeds.

Volkmann Science Diet for Canaries is a good mix... enjoyed by young chicks beginning to feed themselves... and seems to be a good one for any time of the year.  It is usually expensive, but I found Grange Co-op and New York Bird Supply carry it in small to large bags.  I have ordered from Grange Co-op for a year, and New York Bird Supply for about 8 months.  So far, it's been good seed from both retailers. (large and small bags)

Of course, I have other favorite suppliers for the bird room needs.  Below are a few that I have used at least once in the past.

Sources of Seed and Supplies

• My Parrot Food (Sleek & Sassy Canary Food)
• Kruse Feeds (Royal Feeds Roller Mix) 
• Wingz Avian Products (Royal Feeds Roller Mix, with cheaper shipping, to me at least)
• Herman-Bros Seed
• BirdSeed.Com 
• New York Bird Supply 

Medications, Supplements, Breeding Supplies:
(may also include seed and feed)

• http://ladygouldianfinch.com/
• https://ladygouldian.com/
• http://glamgouldians.com/index.php
• http://redbirdproducts.com/
• https://www.birdsupplynh.com/catalog/
• http://www.abbaseed.com/
• http://www.thefinchconnections.com/
• http://www.allbirdproducts.com/ 
• https://foyspetsupplies.com/ 
• https://usbirds.mercasystems.com/index.php/  
• https://winsomepetsupplies.com/ 

Book Review: A Vision of the Perfect Yorkshire

 It has been a few years since the publication of a new canary book for serious canary breeders.  2020 will be The Year, with one valuable book already released, and a second coming this fall.

A Vision of the Perfect Yorkshire, by Stephen R Dominey & Robert Pepper, is for sale NOW and I have read my copy three times!

First:  this book is not for a pet canary owner looking for soft food recipes.
Second:  the book is specifically concerned with the Yorkshire canary.  However, anyone with a standard model for their type/breed will find the Yorkie Supreme BREEDING PLAN helpful.  For someone seriously beginning breeding work, the section on FOUNDATION provides guidance for selecting and purchasing the birds which will become the basis of your future birds.

Although I had read the basics of their plan from Steve's website, and have researched similar opinions, somehow, in some way, after I closed the back cover of this book.... I UNDERSTOOD. 
Instead of  "methods of pairing, pedigree charts and genetic inheritance tendencies" floating around my head, I had a clear picture of MY breeding plan for MY goals!  (More on my personal goals in a future blog post.)

The book begins with an introduction, stating the authors' purpose for writing the book:

     "... Our intention is to cover our breeding methods through the creation of a stud, together with our selection process which we trust will be of interest to both the newcomer and the experienced breeder of Yorkshire canaries and indeed we consider that our words can be carried to cover all varieties of type canaries.
     We are also pleased to touch upon some of our personal experiences within the fancy and give respect to some of those who have influenced our thinking over past decades. ...
     The production of top quality Yorkshires is a challenge but a challenge that is worthy of your best attention.  You will need a degree of patience and you will need to develop an eye for the breed.  The remainder we trust we can provide within these chapters. ..."

The book's dedication is to three breeders.  Their biographies explain how they earned their place at the beginning of this book.  The authors also include 'Memoirs':  of The Great Men, which they thank for their friendships, and The Great Birds, which they thank for the memories.  I appreciated these respectful tributes, as PROOF that excellent stock can be obtained, and MOTIVATION that hard, proper work with our birds has benefit.

I must admit that I felt sadness as I closed the book and looked at it sitting in my hands.  The book contained wisdom of the men gone from the hobby, and of men currently at the top within the Yorkie world.  As I saw it, a great deal of their purpose for the book was to prod those in the hobby to 'strive for greatness'.  The biographies of their mentors painted pictures of kindness, patience and generosity toward newcomers.  The book also points out common courtesies and gracious behavior toward other exhibitors/breeders at shows and contests.  In this social media age when 'Joining An Online Bird Group' has replaced 'Going to a Club Meeting', there are many things celebrated in this book I will never experience.  May this be a reminder for everyone reading, that the canary itself is the proper goal, not rosettes, monetary awards, or how many comments can be made to Facebook posts!

The book may be purchased directly from the authors:  🕮  Book Sales  🕮 
Steve's website also contains information about the Yorkie Supreme partnership and the enduring friendship of these two 'stockmen'.

I am looking forward to re-reading the advice of other successful breeders, with my new-found understanding!
There are many good, accurate and respected articles available online... on various topics that serious canary breeders may find useful.  The authors of these articles are knowledgeable and respected breeders, exhibitors, or judges of all types of canaries. I have listed the articles I found most interesting on the Canary Seeds List of Links page.  I have listed some of my favorite Canary Books, here.

Matt Eld, of The Canary Room, is also working on a book, with plans for publication later this year.  I can not wait for it's release!

Canary Talk Videos!

After thinking about this idea for nearly a year, TWO Canary Talk videos are ready!
Every ten days to two weeks, I will upload a new CANARY TALK video
to my Savoy Singers Aviary YouTube channel!

I enjoy other breeders making canary videos, so I am sharing my joy in canaries, as well as some tips and tricks I have learned... and will be asking questions as well.
In each video's description, there will be timestamps/shortcuts to the various segments of each video... as well as links to webpages I think contain good information on the topic.

Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel,

as I may not announce each new video on this website.  :)

A Good Website With LOTS Of Information is back online!

Matt's Fife Canary Page is back online!
Great!
This site has lots of information

for anyone looking for guidance to serious breeding of canaries.

 

Matt also has eight episodes of Season Three

of The Canary Room on YouTube.

List of CANARY LINKS has been updated!

The list of CANARY LINKS has been updated.
Broken links have been deleted or corrected.
Several new links have been added!

https://www.sscanaries.com/p/info.html

"And the greatest of these is Love."

There are many reasons people own a canary ..... or two birds, or more!
I have talked with many 'canary people' over the past dozen or so years.
I may be looking for new birds, or someone is inquiring about any extras birds I may have.

Many are breeders:  some with half a dozen pairs, many with hundreds of birds in their flock.
Some are older people, who have found the comfort and pleasure of having a singing companion.
Others are young parents, wishing to introduce their children to bird keeping.

These people own a canary for many different reasons. 
Often is is to add yet another breed or species to their collection.
A few have dreams of being well-known in the bird show world.
A great many are thinking of the dollar value of the youngsters they will sell!

It is just my opinion, but the best reason to own a canary is because you love the beautiful little creatures. There is nothing wrong with all other possible reasons for keeping a canary, but

the greatest benefit you will gain
is the personal enjoyment you experience every day!

I know those who own canaries because they love to watch them --- are the most interesting to talk to!
If the second question a person asks is "How easy are they to sell?" OR most of their conversation is about taking birds to sell at a show, our conversations usually tail off into silence.
If the breeder is excited about training and exhibiting a bird, with breeding goals to work toward, our phone calls often become quite expensive! 😆

Please, keep canaries because you love them,
not because you dream of becoming rich and famous!

Below, I quote Matt Eld's words in Episode 3 of The Canary Room, which prompted this blog post! 

 

New Links To Good Canary Information

I keep adding new links to the list of good canary links!
I found several of the older links led to 'Page Not Found' errors. Sorry!
If the website had good information, I am looking for the website on the Internet Archive, and adding the link to the archived pages!  😍  I have MOST of the links updated!

Latest NEW link:

•  YouTube Playlist of My Favorite Canary Videos  

Here is one of my favorites,
the 2013 Gouden Ring Cage Bird Show!
Watch if you are unable to attend
the 2019 National Cage Bird Show in St. Charles, Illinois!

Don't forget these important topics:

• New Bird Quarantine
• The Cycle of Seasons
• The Role of Diet in Canary Colour Part 1 Yellow
• The Role of Diet in Canary Colour Part 2 Red  
• Canary/Bird Clubs 

List of Links to Pages of Canary Information

Archived Canary Classics Site of Interesting Canary Articles

This looks to have been a great list of interesting and informative Canary Articles!
I am happy to say it can be read as a Wayback Machine archive!

Required Reading List for Canary Owners

Archived copy of http://www.canaries.org.uk

I have not followed every link on the page, but the ones I did read were available!

Tips on Photographing Your Birds

We all love to share photos of our birds!  And there are many different types of photos:  some people like to catch their birds in their everyday activities, such as flying, eating or nesting.  Sometimes, we want to show off the shape or color of a particularly beautiful bird.

Of course, we want these photos to be perfect!  Considering how active birds are, our photographs often fall short of what we had hoped to capture! I have found good instructions on a few web pages, and have found a setup that works for me. There are other good methods, and I am always looking for ways to improve my canary photos.

Here are a few of my best tips
and I will add links to the informative webpages following the photos.

• A smartphone WILL take good canary photos, but there are differences between the camera on your phone and a good digital SLR camera.  If you experiment with your smartphone camera, you will find little tricks that give you good photos.
• Strong lighting and a clear or uncluttered background do make the photos more striking.
• I have found that a combination of both natural window light, not necessarily direct sunshine, with a small lamp works the best, for me. (Photo #4)
• Having the camera lens touching, or very close, to the cage wires forces the camera to focus on the birds inside.  My cellphone camera lens has a view that actually fits between the 1/2 inch spacing when I am very close to the cage wires.(Photo #7)
• If you cannot get very, very near the cage wires, it is better to move back one foot or more.  At that point, both the cage and the birds inside will be in focus. (Photo #5)  If you are close, but not close enough, to the wires, your camera will want to focus on the wires, and not the birds inside. (Photo #6)
• A single perch at the far end of the cage will encourage the bird to sit in one place.  Even a nervous bird will return to the perch.

Photo #4

Photo #5

Photo #6

Photo #7

Links to good informational webpages below......

Can Canaries Share a Cage? and No, He Won't Be Lonely!

You may think:  what a strange question!  Of course, canaries can share a cage!
Yes, they can share a cage... in fact, you can put many canaries in a cage.
Remember our grade school language lesson:  'Can' means you are physically able; 'May' means you have permission and it's a good idea!
In many situations, two or more canaries can co-exist in the same cage.  I've heard of two male canaries living peacefully in the same small cage for years.  Only one would sing at a time.. one did not sing much until the other one died.
My dad had a pair who lived happily side by side also for years.  Recently, my mom bought a pair, and they did not exist peacefully!  The hen was the Boss, and would not let the male eat until she had eaten her favorites and was full.
I've seen birds who died of a broken heart soon after their mate passed away.
One lady had a beautiful aviary and tried many times to set up a flock of multiple canaries.  Time after time, they fought and squabbled until all were dead but the strongest one.  How sad.

PLEASE watch your birds.... please separate any that have personality conflicts! 
Some canaries will peacefully share a cage.... others will not stop fighting, picking feathers, keeping others from eating... often times until one or more are dead!

Are you thinking:  won't a single bird be lonely?
Like other companion pets, such as cats, one bird alone will attach itself to you, if you give it any attention at all.  If you have more than one canary, they will be more interested and entertained by each other, and won't be as devoted to you!  Just like a two-cat household.... what trouble one doesn't think of, the other one will!
A cage that is in a room where people spend time, such as a kitchen or living room, is ideal for a single canary.  Make sure you feed him everyday, and that is all the time and attention he needs.  He will appreciate and respond to more time spent talking to him, feeding him treats, or having your chair close to his cage.  But if you have a busy schedule, throw away the cups that hold feed and water for a week... and simply give him seed, water, and treats every day.

Here are two interesting articles to read, and then make your decision of how many birds to buy, how many to put in a single cage, and how a canary or two will fit in your life and your house!

And read this article:

Canaries are particular about their Territorial Rights!

Watch your flights of youngsters....!!!!!

Please watch your young canaries, especially if they are in groups in flights.
There is always some noise as they flock to the seed dishes, with hens bickering.  Young males will often compete for a favorite perch. 
Some of these disagreements become out and out battles.  You notice tattered and broken feathers.
Other times, a weaker bird may simply be kept from eating and drinking.


I watch for a few minutes each morning for a couple of days, and can usually pick out the ones that are starting these conflicts... and they are moved to their own cages.


This advice comes from another breeder:  as you begin to see which are hens and which are males, separate them by sex.  She says this is one way to 'keep peace'.
http://canarytales.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-years-hatch-puffing-up-in-flight.html

Canary 'Seeds' of Information

It is a busy time of year in our bird rooms!
We may have questions or need answers to problems.
I just updated my list of great canary links:
'Seeds' of Canary Information
and, again, I am amazed by the wealth of canary information by solid breeders!
Take a look at the list of articles, and I'll bet you find much to learn!
Also, if your favorite link or website is not listed, please send me an email, or add a comment to this post!
I cannot guarantee to list every one, but I know there are many good articles that I have not yet found!
Thanks!

The Cycle of Seasons

Required Reading List for Canary Owners

This site has other articles of interest, but this is one of my favorites!
Some of it's pages are for finches, but canary lovers will find lots of good information here.

http://ladygouldianfinch.com/features_seasons.php

Check out the 'health programs' that follow the Seasons:

http://ladygouldianfinch.com/features_healthprograms.php

Quarantine new birds... I MEAN it!

I love to talk about how different breeders and pet bird owners house, feed and care for their canaries!  But there is one topic that everyone shifts away from... none wants to talk about it!

QUARANTINE all new birds!

I recommend quarantine of all new birds, and I mean putting the new birds in a separate room, with separate seed sacks, watering containers, and other supplies.  Take care of your birds first, then feed and water the new birds.  Look at the cage papers daily, and watch how the new birds look at various times during the day.  How do they look at noon?  Do they go to sleep early?  Are they drinking normal amounts of water?  Are they eating the proper amount of seed?

Please read this article, even though it seems long.  And give it serious consideration!

The most important question you will ever answer!
https://ladygouldian.com/content/why-quarantine-new-birds

CanaryTales.blogspot.com

Required Reading List for Canary Owners

This is a NICE, INFORMATIVE site;  you could spend all day reading!



http://canarytales.blogspot.com/

Breeding Better Looking Birds... five part series

Lots of topics here, discussed by an experienced canary breeder,
and illustrated with many photos in her birdroom!

Just type a subject in the search box,
or browse the posts.



Robirda.com

Required Reading List for Canary Owners

Sorry to say, but Robirda.com is no long an active domain!
You may still purchase her books,

or view the website on the Internet Archive:

https://web.archive.org/web/20111112191044/http://www.robirda.com/

A Place For Canaries
http://robirda.com

• Do you know you can hand-tame your canary?
• Do you know how to hold your bird, or trim his toenails?
• Looking for a list of toxic plants, houseplants, and foods?
• Ready to breed your canaries?

Lots of info on this website!
NOT only for novice pet owners!

Also by this author:

Canaries are Particular about their Territorial Rights

AriaFromABirdCage.com

To all my local Bird Friends:  I am beginning a list of interesting and informative canary sites.
I encourage everyone to read these from front page to last link!
I will be adding a new website or link to article on a regular basis.  Check back to learn all you can about this fascinating little companion.

Required Reading List for Canary Owners

Aria From A Bird Cage