Ask Lafeber

Clipping nails on small birds

When clipping nails would you advise to restrain with a towel for small birds such as canaries?

What kind of cage would you recommend to take small birds into the vet?

Hi Sara,

If you are clipping nails on a small soft bill, it is best not to use a towel since the bird can’t bite you. The bird is more likely to become overheated if held in a towel, and it can be hard to know how much restraint is needed, so you might squeeze the bird too much or let it get loose. Generally it is best to have a professional clip your birds since there are risks of bleeding or stressing the bird out too much.

You can usually find very small cages that work well for a Vet visit. The plastic containers made for small pets, that have a ventilated top with a small door, also work well. A light towel over the cage, or a cloth wrapped around the plastic container, can keep the bird calm – make sure you don’t cover the air holes on the top of the plastic container and use a light towel on a cage to allow air flow. It is important to have a small cage or carrier with a small access door so the Vet can remove the bird without risk of it getting past a hand.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda