Canary vs. Parakeet: Vet-Reviewed Differences (With Pictures)
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
Canaries and parakeets are both amazing birds that make great pets. They each have unique charms that make them popular with pet owners, so it can be difficult to choose between them, especially if this is your first pet bird. If you need help deciding, keep reading for comparisons of size, temperament, grooming needs, and lifespan so you can determine which bird would be best for your home.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
- Average height (adult): 4-5 inches
- Average weight (adult): <1 ounce
- Lifespan: 7–10 years
- Exercise: Short periods of supervised flight time
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: Often
- Trainability: Basic behaviors and tricks
- Average height (adult): 6–8 inches
- Average weight (adult): 1–1.5 ounces
- Lifespan: 5–10 years
- Exercise: 2+ hours a day
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: Often
- Trainability: Many behaviors and tricks
Canary Overview
Personality / Character
Canaries are small, vibrant songbirds with distinct personalities and charming behaviors. They are famous for their melodic songs, and singing is a significant part of their daily routine. They often sing to express their contentment, establish territory, or attract a mate, and each canary has its unique singing style and repertoire. They are playful and curious by nature and enjoy exploring their environment and playing with toys. They are non-aggressive and docile birds but they may not enjoy the company of other canaries. Before getting more than one, speak to your vet to make sure this is a good idea.
Appearance
Canaries are small birds that you can find in many colors, including yellow, orange, white, green, and various shades in between. Some canaries have distinct color patterns, such as a mottled or variegated appearance. Their well-groomed feathers give them an attractive appearance, and some breeds, like the Crested Canary, have distinctive crowns of feathers on the tops of their heads.
Training
Training canaries can be a rewarding experience, though it’s important to remember that they may not be as trainable as some other bird species, like parrots. Canaries have unique personalities, and while they can learn basic behaviors and tricks, it often requires patience and consistency. Work on developing a strong bond and trust with your canary before you start trying to train it, and use positive reinforcement when it does something right, just like you would for a dog or a cat. Use the same words and gestures consistently when giving commands to avoid confusion, and be patient, as it can take quite a while for the bird to catch on.
Suitable For:
Canaries are great for beginners in the world of bird ownership. They are relatively low-maintenance compared to many other bird species and can be an excellent introduction to bird care. They are also good for seniors, bird enthusiasts, and apartment dwellers, as they don’t need much space.
Parakeet Overview
Personality / Character
The parakeet, or budgie, is a small parrot species with a lively and charming personality. They enjoy the company of their human caregivers and other budgies and are often happier and more content when kept in pairs or small groups. They are quite talkative and can mimic sounds, whistles, and even words with practice. They can form strong bonds with their human caregivers and may enjoy perching on shoulders and nuzzling and preening their favorite people.
Appearance
Parakeets are small birds with vibrant plumage, making them popular as pets and aviary birds. Common colors include green, blue, yellow, white, and combinations of these colors. Their feathers have intricate patterns and markings, including bars and spots. They have long, pointed wings and long tails.
Training
Parakeets are intelligent and can learn various tricks and commands with patience and positive reinforcement. They can also learn to mimic sounds and may even learn a few words and other behaviors, like getting up and down from your finger. To train them, start by building trust, then use positive reinforcement to encourage the desired behavior. Be patient. While a parakeet may be able to learn faster than a canary, it can still take several weeks for it to commit a new trick to memory.
Suitable For:
Many experts recommend parakeets for those new to bird ownership. They can be wonderful companions for kids and provide opportunities for learning about pet care and responsibility. They are also ideal for seniors and companion seekers.
Which Breed Is Right for You?
Choosing between a canary and a parakeet as a pet depends on your preferences, lifestyle, and what you are looking for in a companion bird. Canaries will spend much of their time singing and can improve the atmosphere of your home without requiring much hands-on interaction, while parakeets are more intelligent and can mimic sounds and even words. Both are friendly toward humans, including children and other birds, but parakeets tend to form a stronger bond with their people than canaries do. Both birds are available in various colors. Both also make great first pets.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Left (Canary) Fernando Zamora Vega, Shutterstock, Right (Parakeet) Delpixel, Shutterstock
