January 28, 2022
Canary calms down in afternoon
Our new Red Factor canary is very active flying perch to perch from about 6:30 am to 3:00pm, where he gets real still and quiet. He sometimes breathes fast too. Is this mormal!
Question:
Answer:
Hi Brent,
I’m not sure how new is new, but could he be anxious about something? Is he near a window where he can see outside? There might be something that is making him feel threatened. Activity is good for him, but if he is just constantly jumping from perch to perch, as well as getting out of breath, this doesn’t sound right. Since canaries are a prey animal, they can be sensitive to feeling exposed. If there is a window he looks out of, try covering part of his cage to block that view. Make sure his cage has a wall behind it, or even a corner is good. But he needs at least one side where he can’t feel like something can approach him. It’s also best to have the cage located where he can see anyone before they get near the cage. Right next to a door isn’t ideal, because people suddenly appear next to his cage. And if you have other pets like cats or dogs, they can cause him anxiety since they are predators.
If he breathes heavily even when he hasn’t been exercising, then you might want to have him checked out by an avian vet. Canaries can have air sac mites. But the earlier he is diagnosed, the better his chances of being treated successfully. Air sac mites can cause heavy breathing when the bird is at rest, as well as tail bobbing and other symptoms.
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
