Canaries are one of the most popular domestic birds. They are small birds that belong to the finch family. Their main peculiarities are their color and their peculiar song. But what happens when my canary no longer sings, what can this be due to and what should you do in such a case?
Canaries usually sing with their beaks closed. To emit the sounds they swell their throats, although sometimes they also open their beaks to emit a more metallic sound. The song of canaries may be due to various functions. Males, for example, often sing to attract females, but they also sing to mark their territory.
My canary no longer sings, why?
The problem arises when we realize that the canary has stopped singing. It is very important that the causes of this fact are taken care of. Not in vain, canaries can stop singing for multiple reasons. Some of them are very common and will not present any problem for the animal, but others should be taken into account. The main reasons why the canary does not sing are the following:
It is in molting season
Canaries molt their feathers once a year. This period usually begins in June and can last from one to three months.
During molting, canaries shed their feathers and new ones are born again. Most commonly, during this time, the canary stops singing. In fact, this is usually the most common reason why they stop making sounds.
The canary is sad
Another reason why the canary does not sing is because it is sad. This situation may be due to the fact that they are alone in the cage, but also because they are in a very small space with little natural light.
At the same time, it is very important that the canary never lacks water and quality food, as well as an adequate temperature. If the animal is not in a pleasant habitat, it is likely to become depressed and stop singing.
Presents any disease
If your canary no longer sings and is not sad or molting, it is probably suffering from some type of illness. If so, the bird will appear somewhat bloated, eat little or too much and spend a lot of time on the cage floor.
Respiratory and digestive diseases, gout and parasite problems or mycosis are among the most common diseases that cause canaries to stop singing. In all these cases it is important to go to the veterinarian to see what is really happening to the animal.
A female or baby canary
Finally, if the canary does not sing, it may be a female canary or a breeding canary.
Most female canaries do not sing. They just make a kind of whistling sound that is not as pleasant as the male’s song. On the other hand, if the canary is very small, it will not sing yet. These birds begin to emit their first songs when they are about 6 months old.
What to do if your canary has stopped singing?
It is very important to know first of all the cause of his silence. In case it is a possible disease, you must take him to the veterinarian quickly to diagnose his case. Once there, they will indicate you the treatment to follow.
Taking more care of your diet
It is very likely that the veterinarian will give a series of guidelines on the feeding of the canary. Seeds or birdseed are traditional foods for these birds. However, in case of sadness, illness or moulting season, it is necessary to boost the animal’s nutrition a little more.
In this case, a series of foods with high nutritional properties can be included 2-3 times a week. Fruits such as apples, oranges or bananas are highly appreciated by canaries. The vitamins in these foods will make the canary feel much better and have more joy to sing. You can also offer vegetables such as broccoli or corn on the cob.
The natural habitat of the canary
Sadness may be one of the reasons why your canary no longer sings. This situation may be due to not being at ease in the environment in which he lives. If it is in a cage with very little space and no natural light, it is more than likely that the animal feels depressed and does not sing.
Try taking your canary out in the sun every day to get some fresh air. If you repeat this habit and accompany it with a good diet and cleanliness of its space, the canary will not stop singing. However, you must also respect the bird’s rest. When the sun goes down, you can cover its cage with a cloth or blanket to let it rest.
Care during molting
During the moulting season, canaries need special care. It is very important that they not only have enough space, but also that they do not receive too much light. In this way, the moulting period will be shorter. In addition, nowadays there are a series of specific products to give to canaries during this period.
Moulting is a stressful time of the year for canaries. Providing them with a comfortable and relaxed habitat is the best way to make the animal feel much better.
There are many reasons why a canary may stop singing. By detecting the causes, you will be able to put into practice the necessary actions so that it can start making its characteristic sounds again. Here we leave you with all the keys to stimulate the singing of your canary, as well as the factors that influence and the reasons why these birds stop singing.
