In very warm summer weather, the bird will enjoy a bath each day but in winter allow a bath only two or three mornings a week. Never force your bird to bathe. If he persists in bathing from his drinking cup, remove or empty the cup while the bathing dish is in the cage.
The bird’s feet should be examined to see that they are clean and healthy. The feet of birds inclined to shirk their bath often become caked. If this condition is found, the feet should be soaked in warm water, and the accumulations gently removed. It is then well to rub a little sweet oil into the bird’s feet.
ESCAPED BIRD
One day when you have the cage door open, or the floor of the cage removed for cleaning, your pet may escape and fly about the room. If this happens, do not chase or grab at the bird. He will become frightened, and if you catch him, you may grasp him too firmly.
If your pet escapes, remain calm. First shut all the doors and windows in the room, and turn off any open flames on the kitchen range if the bird is loose in the kitchen. Pull down the shades and turn off the lights. When the room is darkened, the bird will cease to fly about. Then you can easily approach it, take it gently in your cupped hand, and return it to the cage. If you cannot darken the room, just prop open the cage door. Left alone, most birds will fly back inside the cage for food and water in a short time.
If the bird gets out-of-doors it will not usually fly farther than a nearby shrub or tree. Again, tie the cage door open and set the cage where the bird can see it, and the canary will usually come “home” in short while. The main thing is to keep calm and avoid frightening or injuring the bird.
When the weather is warm, an escaped bird perching on a low shrub or branch is sometimes caught easily after his feathers have been dampened by a fine mist from the garden hose. This method should never be used in cold weather.
EXERCISE AND PLAY
Birds in small cages need exercise. Tie a few strands of worsted to the top of the cage for your canary to tug on, and sometimes dangle a small bright key or other metal object from the top of the cage. A small bell suspended in the cage will sometimes attract and hold the interest of the bird when nothing else will. Canaries like attention and excitement. Talk to them frequently. They are usually fond of music too, and will often try to drown it with their own notes.
Allowing the canary to have the freedom of the room provides it both pleasure and exercise. The dangers are that the bird may injure itself or that it will pick up something not good for it to eat. If you decide in favor, prop or tie the cage door open and let the bird return to the cage by itself. Have a regular time, such as when cleaning the cage.