Red Canaries

Canaries are small songbirds, around 12 to 14 cm long, kept for their song and their colour. Males sing, while females rarely do, so ask which one you are buying. Canaries are gentle but not cuddly, so they are birds to watch and listen to rather than handle. They need a wide cage that allows flying, and they are usually kept one per cage because males can fight.

Canaries are sensitive to heat and draughts. In the UAE, keep the cage indoors where the temperature is steady, away from direct sun and from the air conditioner’s blast, and never put it on a balcony in summer or leave it in a car. Fumes from non-stick pans, aerosol sprays and scented candles can harm small birds. If a canary looks fluffed up, stops singing or sits low on the perch, ask your vet, ideally an avian vet.

Birds are not vaccinated or registered in the same way as dogs and cats, so your checks are different. Ask to see the bird eating and singing, look for bright eyes and tidy feathers, and ask where it was bred and whether it carries a closed ring. A bird brought from abroad needs an import permit and health certificate, so check the current rules with MOCCAE or your municipality. On AnimalMarket24, prices vary a lot, so compare a few ads before you decide.