Welcome to Part Eight of our blog series about the finches that call our Serenity Aviaries home!

Today, we’re diving into information about the colorful and wildly popular Zebra Finch!

Other Common Names

• Chestnut-eared Finch
• Spotted-sided Finch

Natural Habitat

The zebra finch is native to arid regions throughout Australia.

They’re found mainly in the center of the continent, usually in large flocks. You can also find them in dry regions in Indonesia and East Timor.

In their habitats, zebra finches prefer to feed on a variety of plant seeds and grasses.

In the seasons where seeds aren’t readily available, they will eat insects, berries, fruits, and other forms of vegetation.

Physical Characteristics

Zebra finches grow to about 4 inches from beak to tail, which is a common length among finches.

The common male’s colors consist of a white belly, grey on its back, a black and white barred tail, bright red beak, dark brown eyes with black teardrops, red/orange patches on its cheeks, and zebra-like stripes on its neck and chest.

A female zebra finch has a slightly duller color scheme.

Its main colors are a pale orange beak, dark brown eyes with a black teardrop, grey/creme back and chest, and a white belly.

Only the males have the ‘zebra stripes’ on their chest and the bright red/orange cheek patches.

The Zebra Finch Bird Song

The male zebra finch has a lot of personality and does most of the singing, while females’ ‘songs’ are more like quick chirps.

Ever heard a zebra finch sing before? Play the video below and listen to the delightful melody.

Play the video to hear this bird’s wonderful song, a song that enchants those in the facilities we service.

Behavior and Temperament

Zebra finches have bubbly personalities, but they aren’t very receptive to being handled by humans.

They may get scared of us if we approach them too aggressively, so we’re very careful when making bird cage cleaning visits.

Although they may not love humans, they’re very social with other zebra finches.

In their natural habitat, these finches travel in large flocks of around 20 in search of food and water.

Breeding Habits of Zebra Finches

Zebra finches don’t follow a specific breeding schedule.

If certain conditions are met, they can breed any time of year after a period of heavy rainfall.

They’re also monogamous, so they’ll find one mate and breed for life.

The Breeding Process

A hen will lay anywhere between four and six eggs per clutch, then she and the male will help incubate the eggs for roughly two weeks.

About five weeks after hatching, fledgling zebra finches become mostly independent.

After around one to two months, we displace the growing fledglings to a new cage so the parent finches can breed once more.

If the parents decide to mate again, they tend to be territorial and aggressive toward their growing fledglings.

So, for the sake of the birds, we safely remove them and place them in a different aviary.

Tips for Designing a Zebra Finch Enclosure

1) Size

We make sure our enclosures are large enough for zebra finches to roam comfortably.

Zebra finches like racing one another from branch to branch around their aviary. They’ll also want to establish their own territory, and a crowded cage won’t allow that.

If they feel crowded, zebra finches may experience stress, aggression, and could even get sick.

2) Shape

Because they enjoy flying back and forth, the length of their enclosure is more important than the height.

Also, avoid using rounded edges for the structure, as this removes some of their available space.

3) Materials

Chewing and ingesting materials can be an issue for finches in an aviary.

The structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, like solid oak, stainless steel wire, and high-grade laminate panels, Serenity Aviaries don’t allow for chewing or ingestion.

4) Features and Accessories

You need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal temperature, and lighting for a comfortable zebra finch.

Other accessories like nests, swings, and branches are also needed for their rest and stimulation.

NOTE: Finches feel safer when they’re higher up, especially in an aviary. We position their nests, branches, and swings as high up as possible.

Looking for Your Hassle-Free Aviary?

At Serenity, we handcraft spacious aviaries for business facilities in the US.

We also include the birds, feeders, decor, and provide routine services!

Next Up: The Parrot Finch!

Thank you for visiting our blog! We will continue our finch-focused blog series on Tuesday, September 30th, 2023, so check back in to learn about the Parrot Finch!

Also, keep an eye out for our other informative blog posts on birds, aviaries, fish, and aquariums!

The post The Zebra Finch appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Both materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for various setups.

In this brief post, we will explore some key differences between glass and acrylic fish tanks.

1) Material Composition

Glass Fish Tanks:

• Glass tanks are made from silica, which is a natural material.
• The manufacturing process involves melting silica sand at high temperatures and then cooling it to form solid sheets.
• Glass tanks have been a traditional choice in the aquarium hobby due to their clarity and scratch-resistance properties.

Acrylic Fish Tanks:

• Acrylic tanks are constructed from a type of plastic known as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
• Acrylic is manufactured by chemically bonding acrylic monomers, resulting in a lightweight and durable material.
• Acrylic tanks gained popularity for their lightweight design and optical clarity.

2) Weight

Glass Fish Tanks:

• Glass tanks are heavier compared to acrylic tanks, making them more challenging to move or transport.
• The weight can become a concern, especially for larger setups that require additional support and sturdy stands.

Acrylic Fish Tanks:

• Acrylic tanks are significantly lighter than glass tanks of the same size, making them easier to handle and install.
• Their lightweight nature allows for more flexible placement options and reduces the risk of structural damage to floors or furniture.

3) Clarity

Glass Fish Tanks:

• Glass tanks provide superior optical clarity, giving viewers a distortion-free and true-to-life glimpse of the aquatic world inside.
• They are less prone to scratching, ensuring that the view remains unblemished for years.

Acrylic Fish Tanks:

• Acrylic tanks are known for their exceptional transparency, offering a clear view of the underwater landscape.
• However, they are more susceptible to scratching, and over time, may develop fine lines that can impact the overall clarity.

4) Strength and Durability:

Glass Fish Tanks:

• Glass tanks are more robust and less prone to scratches compared to acrylic tanks.
• They are less likely to warp or yellow over time, providing a stable and long-lasting environment.

Acrylic Fish Tanks:

• Acrylic tanks are more impact-resistant than glass tanks, reducing the risk of cracks or shattering.
• However, acrylic is more susceptible to yellowing from UV light, which can affect the aesthetics of the tank.

5) Customization:

Glass Fish Tanks:

• Glass tanks offer limited customization options, with standard rectangular or cuboid shapes being the most common.
• Custom-built glass tanks are available, but they can be expensive and have longer lead times.

Acrylic Fish Tanks:

• Acrylic tanks are highly customizable, as they are easier to mold into various shapes and sizes.
• They are an excellent choice for creatively designed aquariums.

Conclusion: Glass vs Acrylic for Fish Tanks

Both glass and acrylic fish tanks have their unique advantages and drawbacks.

If you prioritize optical clarity, scratch resistance, and a traditional aesthetic, glass tanks may be the right choice for you.

On the other hand, if you seek lightweight, impact-resistant, and customizable options, acrylic tanks are worth considering.

Ultimately, the decision between glass and acrylic fish tanks will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and the specific needs of your fish.

We use glass in all of our Serenity Aquariums, but which material do you think is best?

The post Glass vs Acrylic Fish Tanks appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Welcome to Part Seven of our blog series about the finches that call our Serenity aviaries home.

Here, you’ll learn about the very colorful and very friendly Gouldian Finch!

Other Common Names

• Rainbow Finch
• Lady Gouldian Finch
• Gould’s Finch

Natural Habitat

You’ll find Lady Gouldian finches in the northern regions of Australia.

More specifically, they live in tropical climates in savannas, woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands.

Unfortunately, their natural habitats are dwindling due to frequent wildfires in those regions.

Physical Characteristics

The male Gouldian finch may be one of the most recognizable finches on Earth.

They grow to about 5 inches from beak to tail. They’re best known for their yellow-orange belly, purple chest, aqua blue and black around their neck and pointed tail, and green on their back and wings.

There are three main color morphs of Lady Gouldian finches. Their plumage colors stay generally consistent, but the color on their heads can be black, orange, or red.

Female Gouldian finches have similar color patterns, but the colors are slightly duller.

Fledglings, on the other hand, are completely dull green.

Bird Song

Male Gouldian finches are beautiful singers, enchanting anyone that comes in contact with them.

Female Gouldian finches, however, can only make simple calling or chirping noises.

Play the video to hear this bird’s wonderful song, a song that enchants those in the facilities we service.

Behavior and Temperament

Gouldian finches are generally social, docile, and gentle.

They love the company of other finches, but since they’re so calm and friendly, they need to be kept with other mild-mannered birds.

They are also not very receptive to being handled by humans.

When we deep clean our client’s bird cages, we give Gouldian finches their space and are very careful when conducting health checks.

Breeding Habits of Gouldian Finches

Gouldian finches lay around four to eight eggs per clutch.

Both parents will incubate them during the day, but the hen takes on full duties at night.

Three to four weeks after hatching, Gouldian fledglings will leave the nest.

And once Gouldians are around 40 days old, they are almost fully independent.

We offer breeding pairs for Lady Gouldians, if available. Their breeding process is more delicate than most finches, so we ensure they’re all safe and healthy.

And as a part of our continued services, we’ll move the fledglings to a new home once they’re too old for the current cage.

Tips for Designing a Gouldian Finch Enclosure

1) Size

For each pair of Lady Gouldians, you should have at least 3-4 square feet of space on the bottom.

These are very active finches so they need a large enclosure to be happy and healthy.

Otherwise, Gouldian finches may become obese, stressed, agitated, depressed, and aggressive.

2) Shape

Because they enjoy flying back and forth, the length of their enclosure is more important than the height.

Also, avoid using rounded edges for the structure, as this removes some of their available space.

3) Materials

Chewing and ingesting materials can be an issue for finches in an aviary.

The structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, like solid oak, stainless steel wire, and high-grade laminate panels, Serenity Aviaries don’t allow for chewing or ingestion.

4) Features and Accessories

You need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal temperature, and lighting for a comfortable Gouldian.

Additional accessories like nests, swings, and branches are also needed for their rest and entertainment.

NOTE: Finches feel safer when they’re higher up, especially in an aviary. We position their nests, branches, and swings as high up in the aviary as possible.

Looking for Your Hassle-Free Aviary?

At Serenity, we handcraft spacious aviaries for business facilities in the US.

We also include the birds, feeders, decor, and provide routine services!

Next Up: The Zebra Finch!

Thank you for visiting our blog!

We will continue our finch-focused blog series on Tuesday, August 29th, so check back in to learn about the Zebra Finch!

Also, keep an eye out for our other informative blog posts on birds, aviaries, fish, and aquariums!

The post The Gouldian Finch appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Welcome back to the 6th edition of our informational bird blog about the vibrant, budding finches in our Serenity Aviaries!

Today, we’ll cover the colorful and kindhearted Star Finch.

Common Names for a Star Finch

• Red-Tailed Finch
• Red-Faced Finch
• Rufous-Tailed Finch

Star Finch Natural Habitat

You’ll find star finches in the northern, southern, and western regions of Australia.

Their specific habitats consist mainly of savannas and grasslands with tall vegetation, usually near swamps and creeks.

Physical Characteristics of a Star Finch

Male star finches grow to around 4 inches long from beak to tail.

The females grow to about the same size, but they’re usually just a little smaller.

And although males and females are similar in size, their colors are quite different.

Male Plumage Colors

Males have a vibrant red face and beak, and dull brown on the top of their head, neck, back, and wings.

They also have white spots on their chest, flanks, and tail.

Finally, their underside is dark to light yellow.

Female Plumage Colors

The females have a yellow-orange colored head and beak.

Their flanks, wings, back, and top of the head are an olive-green color.

White spots span from her neck, down her flanks, and end at the start of her tail.

Her underside is a dull yellow color.

Colors of Sub-species

There are three main sub-species of the star finch that produce different colored feathers than the normal colors listed above.

Yellow Face

Overall color remains the same olive green, but their face is an orangish-yellow, as opposed to bright red.

Pied

These star finches have blotches with no color pigment.

Their overall body color is typically yellow-brown or olive-green.

They also have bright red heads and beaks.

Fawn

These finches have a yellow-brown color throughout, except for the head and beak which are bright red.

This subspecies also has white spots along its belly and flank.

Bird Song of the Star Finch

Male star finches can sing, while females will only make simple calling noises.

Both sexes are quiet compared to many other finches, but they still give off a pleasant tune.

Watch the video below for a better understanding of the different sounds they make.

Behavior and Temperament

Star finches are docile, gentle, and generally accepting of other finches.

In the wild, they travel in flocks of around 20 as they search for food and water.

Their passivity makes them excellent additions to mixed aviaries.

To ensure our star finches live peacefully in our enclosures, we mix them with birds of similar temperament.

Like any animal, they become more aggressive during the breeding season.

When housing them, the aviary must be spacious enough so all the finches can enjoy their space, without getting territorial.

Breeding Habits

Their breeding season can vary depending on location.

In northern Australia, breeding may start in December.

In western parts of Australia, breeding may start a month or two later.

This season continues through late August and into September.

In captivity, however, star finches can mate throughout the year if environmental requirements are met.

The hen will lay a clutch of around 3 to 6 eggs. Both parents will take time incubating the eggs.

After about two weeks, the eggs should hatch. They will remain in the nest until fledging, which takes about three weeks.

After one to two months, the fledglings will be independent of their parents.

In captivity, we remove the young birds at this time.

If the parents decide to mate again, conflict can arise between them, so we carefully move young star finches to a new aviary.

This allows the parent finches to safely breed once more.

Proper Care for Star Finches

Appropriate Aviary Features

Aviary Size

The first step in creating a comfortable home for Star Finches is to have the correct cage size.

When housing finches, the bigger the enclosure, the better.

More specifically, many believe that for each pair of finches, you should have at least 3-4 square feet of space on the bottom.

Aviary Shape

Star finches enjoy flying back and forth, but they can’t climb, so the length of their enclosure is more important than the height.

Also, avoid using rounded edges, as this removes some of their available space.

Aviary Materials

To avoid chewing and ingesting materials, the structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, our Serenity Aviaries prevent chewing and ingestion.

Our aviaries are made from:

• Solid oak
• Stainless steel wire
• Anodized aluminum
• High-grade laminate panels
• Acrylic or glass windows

Aviary Functionality

For a star finches’ aviary, you’ll need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal lighting, heating, and other accessories.

Each of our aviaries comes with these features and we’ll perform regular maintenance and food replenishment on each service visit.

We also offer many additional accessories for your finches’ benefit.

Customize your own Aviary

Our large enclosures provide the space and functionality for each bird to feel safe, comfortable, and entertained.

But before we build anything, we work with each client to find the right size and color for their interior.

Then, we determine the appropriate number of finches for that custom bird cage.

Below are some of our popular aviary colors.

White and black are our contemporary finishes, and if you’d like a different hardwood color, you can reach out to us today!

Keeping with Other Finches

Although Star Finches are very docile, they can’t be paired with all finches.

They need to be paired with other docile and passive birds for a happy home.

When we decide on the type of birds for a certain enclosure, we ensure all the birds will get along well.

For more information on pairing finches, check out this compatibility chart.

Food and Water Sources

Below are the most popular foods for a Star Finch:

• Finch seed mix
• Fresh greens
• Egg Food
• Sprouted Seeds
• Insects and mealworms
• Cuttlebone and grit

If your business gets a Serenity Aviary, we provide a surplus of nutrient-rich bird seed to keep your finches happily fed.

A few water sources should also be provided in an aviary: One for drinking and one for bathing.

Our patented Infinity Feeder makes this task simple and is the healthiest way to feed and water your finches.

Functional Aviary Decorations

Lastly, you’ll need some interior decor.

Some essential items to include are branches, perches, swings, and nests.

Swings and branches offer:

• Entertainment
• A spot to perch
• A way to establish territory
• Landing on them naturally trims the finches’ claws

It’s important to install these items in various spots towards the top of the aviary because finches prefer to perch as high up as possible.

As for nests, a Star Finch may use them for:

• Resting
• Hiding
• Breeding

Just like perches and swings, make the nests accessible, but position them as close to the top as possible.

Ongoing Aviary Cleaning and Maintenance

By leasing through Serenity, much of the maintenance will be taken care of for you. Your facility will get:

• An elegant bird enclosure
• A collection of finches
• A full suite of proprietary products
• Routine cleaning services
• All of this for no upfront cost and a low monthly fee!

Without Serenity Services, you have several things to do to keep your Star Finches happy and healthy:

• Sanitize and replenish food and water sources.
• Remove and replace bedding.
• Clean droppings tray.
• Wipe down all surfaces.
• Scrub all cracks and crevices.
• Sanitize and rotate accessories.
• Thoroughly rinse and dry the enclosure.

The post The Star Finch appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Welcome to our blog series about the wonderful finches of our Serenity Aviaries! Today we’ll tell you about the Owl Finch, whose friendly personality has made them one of the most popular finches that we have to offer!

Common Names for an Owl Finch

• Double-Barred Finch
• Double-Bar Finch
• Bicheno Finch

Owl Finch Natural Habitat

The owl finches natural habitat is widespread across Australia. In the wild, they typically live in small groups and forage in woodlands, scrublands, and grasslands throughout the content.

Their diet for most of the year consists of a variety of plant seeds, particularly grasses. During certain seasons when seeds aren’t as readily available, owl finches will eat fruits, berries, insects, and other forms of vegetation.

Urbanization has affected many of their habitats. Still, owl finches are very active flyers and are widespread across the continent. It’s not uncommon to see them in groups in city parks and other populated areas.

Physical Characteristics of an Owl Finch

Owl Finches grow between three and four inches from beak to tail. Their coloration is distinct from other finches, but it’s hard to tell the males and females apart.

As you may have guessed, an owl finch looks a lot like a miniature owl. Both sexes have a grey beak, white face, black eyes, and a black band that circles their face. Their chest is white with hints of brown, and a second black band sits directly below their chest, which is why some call them “double-barred finches”. Their bellies are white, the top of their head and back are brown, and their wings are dark brown with white spots. Finally, their tails are black and pointed.

Owl Finch Song

Since male and female owl finches are so similar in appearance, the best way to tell them apart is by their songs.

Male owl finches sing a distinctive tune, while females generally make short chirps. Below is a short video of a male owl finch singing his song.

Could this delightful finch enhance the acoustics in your facility? We’ll let you decide.

Behavior and Temperament of Owl Finches

Like most finches, owl finches are very active and get their exercise from flying around. Unlike most finches, they’re not very territorial. They have a very friendly and bubbly personality, which makes them popular pets and loved finches in our aviaries.

Owl finches are best suited in aviaries with plenty of space and accompanied by other finch friends. Since they’re so active, they need ample room to fly back and forth, land on different perches, and establish an area that’s their own. They are docile and friendly, but without adequate room, owl finches will get bored, frustrated, and aggressive toward other birds.

Also, they may be friendly, but they don’t enjoy human handling. So, when we visit our clients to deep clean their cages, we keep contact to a minimum.

Breeding Habits of Owl Finches

Owl finches are monogamous and breed with one mate for life. Hens will lay around three to seven eggs per clutch. After a two-week incubation period, their eggs will start hatching. Hatchlings will begin to fledge at around 25 days old. And at roughly five weeks old, they will be weaned from the nest. They will leave the nest but stay close to their parents for food purposes.

After the young are weaned from the nest, the parent owl finches may prepare for another brood. At this time, the young owl finches should be removed from the enclosure. We do this because when the parents want to breed again, they may become aggressive and territorial toward their young (males in particular).

We offer many mating pairs, but they don’t come standard with our aviaries. If you’d like a breeding pair at your facility, reach out and we’ll discuss your options!

Care Guide for an Owl Finch

Proper Aviary Design

Aviary Size

Because owl finches are so active, having a spacious aviary is necessary. Cages that are too small will cause a lot of stress and agitation. It may also cause conflicts between the birds inside.

So, when choosing an aviary or bird enclosure, remember that bigger is always better.

Serenity Aviaries, for example, are custom-made to fit in any facility and still give owl finches the space they need. We work with each client to design an aviary that fits in their company’s interior. Then, we’ll determine the appropriate number of finches for their spacious aviary.

Aviary Shape

Because they enjoy flying back and forth and can’t climb, the length of their enclosure is more important than the height. Also, avoid using rounded edges for the structure, as this removes some of their available space.

Aviary Materials

Chewing and ingesting materials can be an issue for finches in an aviary. To avoid this, the structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, our Serenity Aviaries don’t allow for chewing or ingestion. These structures are made from solid oak, stainless steel wire, anodized aluminum, high-grade laminate panels, and acrylic or glass windows.

Aviary Features

For an Owl Finch enclosure, you’ll need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal lighting and heating, among other accessories.

Each of our aviaries comes with these features, and we’ll perform regular maintenance and food replenishment on each service visit. We also offer many additional accessories for your and your finch’s benefit:

Customize Your Own Owl Finch Aviary

We work with each client to learn about their facility and its space requirements. Then we discuss the dimensions and overall aviary design. Finally, we’ll decide on the appropriate number of birds that best fit the enclosure.

Each bird aviary is custom-made in our state-of-the-art woodworking factory. Below are some of our popular aviary colors you can choose from. Black and white are our contemporary finishes, and if you’d like a different hardwood color than what you see below, just send us a message!

Keeping Owl Finches with Other Birds

Owl finches are very calm, friendly birds that’ll coexist with different species. However, we do take precautions when mixing them.

For example, one pair of owl finches (male and female) will be just fine together, but two pairs will cause conflicts. The males will be competitive and look to fight one another. However, if you have three pairs of owl finches, the birds will find their territory and be generally peaceful with one another.

As far as mixing other species in an aviary, we include a greater number of the other birds than the number of owl finches. If there are more owl finches, they may be territorial and bully the other birds.

Quality Food and Fresh Water

If you plan to house any kind of bird, you’ll need a constant supply of food and multiple sources of fresh water. An owner should provide a seed and pellet-based diet. You can find excellent food choices for finches on Chewy.com and at your local pet store.

You should also include a dish of water for drinking and another water source for bathing. It’s recommended that you clean and replenish these water sources daily to keep your owl finches as healthy as possible.

Hassle-Free Feeding and Watering with Serenity

Each of our Serenity Aviaries comes with our patent-pending Infinity Feeder. This innovative system has enough storage to hold food and water for up to 6 months. The water will stay fresh, too, as we’ve added a copper plug in the container. Copper continuously treats the water and keeps it cleaner than any product on the market!

Functional Décor

You will need some interior décor to offer entertainment and comfort for Owl Finches. Some important things to include are nests, branches, and swings.

Swings and Branches

Swings and branches offer entertainment, a spot to perch, and a way to establish territory. An added bonus is that by jumping and landing on these horizontal branches, they naturally trim their claws.

It’s also important to install these items toward the top of the aviary because finches prefer to perch as high up as possible.

Nests

As for nests, Owl Finches may use them for resting, hiding, and breeding if you have a breeding pair. Just like perches and swings, make the nests accessible, but position them as close to the top as possible.

Ongoing Aviary Cleaning and Maintenance

These finches are wonderful pets and we supply them to many office buildings, nursing homes, hotel lobbies, and more. The best part is, we take care of the aviary and these birds for each client.

With a bird cage cleaning service from Serenity, we’ll sanitize the Infinity Feeder and replenish it with fresh food and water. We’ll also deep clean the rest of your aviary, check the health of your owl finches, and replace any products or birds, if necessary.

The post The Owl Finch appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Welcome to Part Four of our blog series about the beautiful finches and canaries in our Serenity Aviaries! Here, we’ll discuss the wonderful songbird, the American Singer Canary.

Other Common Names for American Singer Canaries

• North American Canary
• Water Canary

In this post, you’ll learn about where they’re from, their physical appearance, behavior, breeding habitats, proper care for them, and more!

American Singer Canary Natural Habitat

As its name suggests, the American Singer Canary is widespread exclusively across North America. However, this cross-bred bird is a very common pet and they don’t live in a specific region or have a common wild habitat.

They’re very receptive to being housed in large bird cages and spacious aviaries. You will find American singer canaries as pets, at bird shows, and with specialty breeders and trainers, as opposed to out in the wild.

Physical Characteristics of American Singer Canaries

The American Singer Canary is the result of selective breeding between the Border Canary and the German Roller Canary. The Border Canary is known for its stunning appearance, while the Roller is known for its unique songs.

American singers will grow between four to eight inches from beak to tail, with the males growing a little larger than the females. Both sexes take on a few color mutations, all of which are vibrant and beautiful.

Their traditional colors are a solid yellow or red/orange with orange/pink legs, black eyes, and a pink/off-white colored beak. Other less common plumage colors are white, green, brown, blue, fawn, and bronze.

Some variations have subtle color patterns and gradient combinations, but their feathers are most often a solid color.

Bird Song of an American Singer Canary

The German Roller Canary has gifted these stunning birds with an equally delightful song. They emit drawn-out chirps with variations in pitch and frequency. It’s a very unique sound that’s enchanted people since the 1930s when these birds were first bred.

Like most birds, the male American Singer sings the songs, while the females make short chirping calls.

Play this short video and see if it lives up to the hype!

Behavior and Temperament of American Singer Canaries

This species is generally well-mannered and social with other birds, making them excellent pets in mixed aviaries. They are relatively timid as well, so when mixing birds in an aviary, they need to be housed with other passive birds.

They tend to sing the most when in an enclosure by themselves, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy to be alone. Finches and canaries like the company of other feathered friends, so if possible, add a friend or two to their enclosure.

Considerations for Housing Multiple Canaries

It is best to use caution when housing males with other males. Competition over territory is common with male American Singer Canaries, so aggression might ensue in a small enclosure. Having more females than males is a way to avoid aggression.

Regardless of the types of birds in an aviary, if the space is too small, they will become stressed, agitated, and aggressive. They are very active and playful birds, so it’s important that you provide an appropriately sized aviary.

Breeding Habits of American Singers

American Singer Canaries are relatively easy to breed. Their standard breeding season is between December and April, but they will readily breed under the right conditions.

The hen will lay three to six eggs per clutch. She will also need a nest for laying eggs, which we provide in our Serenity Aviaries. The mother and father canary will both assist in incubating the eggs until they hatch, which takes about two weeks. About 20 days after hatching, the fledglings will be weaned from the nest, but will stay close to their parents for feeding purposes.

Two to three months after hatching, it’s best to remove the young canaries from the enclosure. If the parent canaries want to mate again, they may get aggressive toward the young ones. So to avoid stress and aggression, fledglings should be placed in another aviary.

Serenity offers breeding pairs of American Singers on request, but they don’t come standard. We will handle the setup of the aviary, along with nests and accessories, and will also remove the young canaries when needed.

Care Guide for American Singer Canaries

Proper Aviary Design

Aviary Size

Although American Singer Canaries are sometimes found in smaller cages, a larger enclosure is always recommended. The limited room can cause stress, agitation, and aggression in any bird, and American Singers are no different.

How big should an aviary be? We recommend having 2 square feet of floor space per bird in an aviary.

We offer many aviary sizes and orientations that give birds ample room to fly and designate their own territory.

Before we build anything, we’ll determine the best size and dimensions for a company’s interior. Then, we’ll decide on the appropriate number of finches for that custom aviary.

Aviary Shape

Because canaries exercise by flying back and forth, the length of their enclosure is more important than the height.

You should also avoid using rounded edges for the aviary, as this removes some of their available space.

Aviary Materials

Chewing and ingesting materials is an issue for many birds in aviaries. To avoid this, the structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, our Serenity Aviaries don’t allow for chewing or ingestion. These structures are made from solid oak, stainless steel wire, anodized aluminum, high-grade laminate panels, and acrylic or glass windows.

Aviary Features

For an aviary housing American Singer Canaries, you’ll need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal lighting and heating, among other accessories.

Each of our aviaries comes with these features, and we’ll perform regular maintenance and food replenishment on each service visit. We also offer many additional accessories for your and your finch’s benefit.

Housing Compatible Bird Species

Always avoid pairing just two male American Singers together. Fighting is common with one another due to the males’ territorial nature.

It is acceptable to house a pair consisting of a male and a female. And if you want to house more than one male, we recommend having more females than males.

For a happy American Singer, mixed aviaries provide the best results. They will generally get along with other good-natured, or “passive” canaries, finches, and hardbills. Color diversity is also important, as many male birds get aggressive with species that resemble their plumage.

We offer a varied collection of birds for our clients. This gives our client’s some colorful diversity in their Serenity Aviary along with peaceful interactions between birds that delight guests at their businesses.

Fresh Food

American Singer Canaries will prefer a good mix of canary seed, small fruits, veggies, and egg food. Lafeber’s, for example, offers a nutrient-rich canary food great for American Singer Canaries.

If you lease an aviary through Serenity, we will stock your aviary with nutrient-rich bird food. We put the food in the Infinity Feeder for you, which is included in your enclosure. A benefit of our Infinity Feeder is that it holds more food than any feeder on the market.

Better yet, you won’t have to replace any food. The feeder will hold enough until our next service visit when we replenish it for you, free of charge.

Fresh Water

Fresh water should also be provided daily for drinking and bathing. For a personal enclosure, include at least two sources of water for these activities. Then, make sure to clean and replenish them every day.

Our innovative Infinity Feeder isn’t only for food, however. It’s also designed for drinking water and it keeps the water fresher for longer than any bird waterer on the market. We will also provide an additional water dish so your American Singers can bathe when they desire.

Functional Decor for Aviaries

We recommend including some decor in your American Singer cage. These canaries need little entertainment, but some important items to include are branches, swings, and nests.

Swings and Branches

Swings and branches offer exercise, entertainment, a spot to perch, and a spot for establishing territory. An added bonus is that by landing on these horizontal branches, they naturally trim their claws.

According to Animal-World, you should have at least one perch high up in the cage. American Singers like to roost on these high perches and will be more inclined to speak if they’re looking down at us.

Are you looking for accessories for your existing aviary? Visit our sister company, Custom Cages, for a list of decor ranging from perches to cage blinds, to ventilation attachments, to small and large hanging toys.

Nests

As for nests, canaries will use them for resting, hiding, and breeding (If you have a breeding pair). Again, these should be positioned higher in the enclosure where they prefer to sleep.

If you get an accessories package through Serenity, you will receive perches, swings, nests, and more! We’ll also install them for you and replace them for no extra cost if they’re damaged.

Ongoing Aviary Cleaning and Maintenance

For the health of your American Singer Canaries, their enclosure should be cleaned regularly. Food and water dishes should be cleaned and replenished daily.

You should also devise a schedule to replace bedding, sanitize decor and nests, and deep clean the entire aviary.

Serenity Aviary Cleaning Service

By leasing an aviary through Serenity, you’ll get a spacious bird enclosure, a collection of finches, a full suite of decor, and routine cleaning services all for no upfront cost and a low monthly fee.

Serenity has been servicing commercial aviaries for about 15 years, so if you lease an aviary through us, the activities above will be taken care of for you. We will also service existing aviaries even if they’re not provided by us!

For each aviary cleaning service, we’ll sanitize the feeder and replenish it with fresh food and water. We’ll also deep clean the rest of the aviary, check the health of your American Singers, and replace any products or birds, if necessary.

Wrapping Up

The American Singer Canary is a beautiful bird in both appearance and song, and it shows by its popularity in the USA.

Whether you’re looking to train your canary for bird shows, have a mixed aviary at your home, or get a spacious mixed aviary for your business, an American Singer is a great addition.

Their kind demeanor and aptitude for living in an aviary will make your life easier, and they will happily enchant you and your guests for years to come.

The post The American Singer Canary appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Welcome to Part Three of our blog series about the beautiful finches in our Serenity Aviaries! Here, we’ll discuss the colorful and friendly Strawberry Finch.

Other Common Names for Strawberry Finches

• Red Avadavat
• Red Munias
• Red Waxbill
• Scarlet Amandava
• Indian Strawberry
• Tiger Finch

In this post, you’ll learn about their natural habitat, physical appearance, behavior, breeding habitats, proper care for them, and more!

Strawberry Finch Natural Habitat

Where are Strawberry Finches found?

Strawberry Finches live in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Some populations have also been introduced in the tropical islands of Hawaii and Fiji.

As such, the Strawberry Finch’s ideal habitat is in tropical areas with tall grass, open meadows, and gardens, usually located near water.

Physical Characteristics of Strawberry Finches

Both male and female Strawberry Finches grow around three to four inches from beak to tail.

Outside of the mating season, the feathers of both sexes have a dull brown color on their back, wings, and tails. Their underside is a creamy, off-white color. Their eyes are bright red, with females having a black stripe from their eyes to their beaks.

For both sexes, beak color changes by the season. During the winter months, their beaks darken and turn black. In the summer, they become bright red.

Also for both sexes, their plumage becomes much more vibrant during the breeding months. What’s the Strawberry Finch male-female difference? Read on for more!

Male Strawberry Finch Characteristics (Breeding Season)

During mating season, male strawberry finches take on an intense color transformation.

Their feathers develop a deep scarlet color over a majority of their bodies. Their wings and tail turn dark brown, and they develop white spots along their sides, wings, and tails. This beautiful transformation is one reason the Strawberry Finch is so popular in our aviaries.

Female Strawberry Finch Characteristics (Breeding Season)

Hens will alter their appearance for the mating season, but it’s less profound than the males.

Most of their bodies remain brown, but their lower bellies change to a bright yellow-orange color. You may also see some white spots on their wings and a hint of red at the base of their tail.

Bird Song of a Strawberry Finch

Now you know what they look like, but do you know what a Strawberry Finch sounds like? Play this short video to find out!

Behavior and Temperament of a Strawberry Finch

Strawberry Finches are generally docile and have bubbly personalities, but they can show aggression in certain situations.

In the wild, they’re particularly calm for most of the year and travel in small groups of their own species. But, like most animals, they become more aggressive and territorial during the breeding season. They’re territorial of their nests and also known to show aggression towards species that are similar in appearance.

So in a mixed aviary, for example, they should only be paired with species of different physical appearances.

Breeding Habits of Strawberry Finches

The Strawberry Finch breeding season begins in October and lasts into February. The hen will lay about six eggs per clutch and undergo a 13-day incubation period. After hatching, fledglings will remain in the nest for at least 3 weeks.

After 1 to 2 months, the fledglings will be weaned out of the nest. At this stage, conflict can arise between the parents and their fledglings. If the parent finches decide to mate again, they become particularly aggressive towards their fledglings. So for the safety of all the birds, the young finches should be carefully removed and placed in another aviary. This allows the parent finches to breed once more.

We offer mating pairs for our clients, but they don’t come standard with a Serenity Aviary. If you’d like a breeding pair, contact us for more information.

Care Guide for a Strawberry Finch

Proper Aviary Design

Aviary Size

The first problem hobbyists make is getting a cage too small for Strawberry Finches. The limited room will cause stress, agitation, and aggression in Strawberry Finches.

How big should a finch aviary be? We recommend having 2 square feet of floor space per finch in an aviary.

We offer many aviary sizes and orientations that give birds ample room to fly and designate their own territory.

Before we build anything, we’ll determine the best size and dimensions for a company’s interior. Then, we’ll decide on the appropriate number of finches for that custom aviary.

Aviary Shape

Because Strawberry Finches exercise by flying back and forth, the length of their enclosure is more important than the height.

You should also avoid using rounded edges for the aviary, as this removes some of their available space.

Aviary Materials

Chewing and ingesting materials is an issue for many aviaries. To avoid this, the structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, our Serenity Aviaries don’t allow for chewing or ingestion. These structures are made from solid oak, stainless steel wire, anodized aluminum, high-grade laminate panels, and acrylic or glass windows.

Aviary Features

For an aviary housing Strawberry Finches, you’ll need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal lighting and heating, among other accessories.

Each of our aviaries comes with these features, and we’ll perform regular maintenance and food replenishment on each service visit. We also offer many additional accessories for your and your finch’s benefit.

Customize Your Own Strawberry Finch Aviary

We work with each client to learn about their facility and its space requirements. Then we discuss your preferred dimensions and overall aviary design. Finally, we’ll decide on the appropriate number of birds that best fit the enclosure.

Each bird aviary is custom-made in our state-of-the-art woodworking factory. Below are some of our popular aviary colors you can choose from.

Black and white are our contemporary finishes, and if you’d like a different hardwood color than what you see below, you can reach out to us here.

Keeping Strawberry Finches with Other Birds

Since Strawberry Finches get aggressive with similar-looking birds, we populate their space with a variety of species. Not only will it give your cage some diverse colors, but it’ll make life easier for all your finches. After all, finches are typically much happier in enclosures when they have some fellow bird companions.

If there are frequent quarrels between birds, adjustments may have to be made to the aviary. Below are some methods for reducing aggression among birds:

• Make sure your birds are not overcrowded
• Add visual barriers in the enclosure
• Remove the aggressors to a new aviary and pair them with more pushy finches
• Remove injured finches and pair them in a new aviary with compatible finches
• Place multiple perches and nests at the same height so birds don’t fight for the highest perch

If you have a Serenity Aviary, however, just give us a call, and we’ll help remedy the situation.

Fresh Food and Water

In the wild, Strawberry Finches will eat mostly grass seeds, but they may also feed on certain insects like termites. Insects are a good food source during the breeding season, as they offer extra nutrients like protein.

An adequate diet for a pet Strawberry Finch should consist of a small seed mixture of millets and grass seeds. You must also include a water source for bathing and another for drinking.

To keep your finches healthy, any food and water dishes should be cleaned and refilled each day.

Infinity Feeder and Watering System

Now, what if you could keep your birds fed and watered for weeks without the daily tasks?

Our Infinity Feeder makes this possible.

We include this feeding and watering system with each aviary. This system holds food longer and keeps water cleaner than any product in the industry.

And with an aviary lease through Serenity, you won’t even have to refill the system. We provide all the food for your birds, and the Infinity Feeder holds more than enough to last between service visits. Then we refill it for you.

How much time and money could that save you?

Functional Décor for Strawberry Finches

Lastly, you’ll need some decor for a happy Strawberry Finch. Birds don’t need a lot of accessories to be happy, but why not give them more than they asked for?

Whether you want to design an elaborate aviary or not, the most essential products to include are:

• Branches
• Swings
• Nests
• Toys

Branches and Swings

Swings and branches offer entertainment, exercise, a spot to perch, and a way to establish territory. An added bonus is that by landing on these horizontal branches, they naturally trim their claws.

Our finches love flying from wall to wall, racing their companions to different swings and branches. Spots for perching are an integral part of their natural habitat, so we recommend including as many as space allows.

Nests

As for nests, Strawberry Finches will use them for resting, hiding, establishing territory, and breeding (If you have a breeding pair).

Nests are needed 100% of the time in an aviary. And Strawberry Finches will find comfort in wicker nests, which you see in the image above. We offer these with our Serenity Aviaries, but you can also find inexpensive wicker nests online or at local pet stores.

Toys

Toys are not a requirement in an aviary, but they’re always recommended. Adding a hanging toy or two will only benefit the mental health of the finches.

Boredom can cause agitation, feather picking, and aggression among Strawberry Finches. A few toys in their space can prevent this behavior and improve their lives, both physically and mentally.

There are many toys available for Strawberry Finches, so if you have the space and budget, consider giving your birds a little extra entertainment.

Ongoing Aviary Cleaning and Maintenance

By leasing through Serenity, the installation and ongoing maintenance will be taken care of for you.

You’ll get an elegant bird enclosure, a collection of finches, a full suite of proprietary products, and routine cleaning services for no upfront cost and a low monthly fee.

Without Serenity Services, you have several things to do to keep your Strawberry Finches happy and healthy:

• Sanitize and replenish food and water sources.
• Remove and replace bedding.
• Clean droppings tray.
• Wipe down all surfaces.
• Scrub all cracks and crevices.
• Sanitize and rotate accessories.
• Thoroughly rinse and dry the enclosure.

If you have any questions about our aviaries or how to care for your Strawberry Finches, don’t hesitate to reach out today!

Next Up: The American Singing Canary

Thank you for visiting our blog! We will continue our finch-focused blog series on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, so check back in to learn about the American Singing Canary!

You can also check out our other informative blog posts on birds, aviaries, fish, and aquariums!

The post The Strawberry Finch appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Welcome to Part Two of our blog series about the many finches that call our Serenity Aviaries, home. Here you can learn about the vibrant and cheery Shaft-Tail Finch, commonly known as the Long Tailed Finch.

Common Names for a Shaft-Tail Finch

• Long Tail Finch
• Black Heart Finch
• Red Billed Long Tail
• Heck’s Grass Finch

Read further! We’ll discuss their physical appearance, behavior, breeding habitats, proper care for them, and more!

Shaft-Tail Finch Natural Habitat

The Shaft-Tail Finch, also known as the Long Tailed Finch, is native to the northern and northwestern regions of Australia. They live in groups and spend their time in woodlands, arid savannahs, and shrublands.

They are a flourishing species, as they have the second largest finch population behind the zebra finch. As far as their diet, they eat grass seeds, small leafy greens, and small insects and fruits.

Physical Characteristics of a Shaft-Tail Finch

A male Shaft-Tail Finch usually grows around 5 to 6 inches, while females are slightly smaller. Both sexes have attractive color combinations that make them popular pets.

The most notable colors for the males are a bright red beak, grey head, black streak from eye to beak, and a black bib. They also have a brownish-grey belly, back, and wings, white and black underside, and bright red legs. And finally, this finch has a long black tail (where it gets its name from).

A female Long Tailed Finch has almost identical features except for a difference in bib size (slightly smaller). Hens’ colors are also slightly duller in comparison to the males.

Juveniles are similar still, but they have a smaller bib than the adults, along with duller plumage and flesh-colored legs and feet.

Color Mutations of Shaft-Tail Finches

Some other common color mutations consist of the following:

White Shaft-Tail

• Completely white with small black markings throughout

Fawn Shaft-Tail

• Brownish body color, dark brown eyes, and a dark brown bib

Cream Shaft-Tail

• Off-white over almost their entire body except for a light brown bib, tail, and underside.

Shaft-Tail Finch Song

Now you know what they look like, but do you know what they sound like? Play the video below to find out!

Behavior and Temperament of a Shaft-Tail Finch

Long Tailed Finches are very active, docile birds, which is another reason for their popularity. They enjoy interacting with birds of their own and other species. In aviaries, they enjoy bobbing their heads at their owners and saying hello to those that pass by.

However, they are relatively pushy finches, so use caution when housing them with other birds.

If there are multiple Shaft-Tail pairs in a bird aviary, there may be some aggression between them. Male Shaft-Tails, especially, may get aggressive with other species that look like them. And in a mixed aviary with passive birds, they might bully the nicer finches.

So, it’s smart to include birds with similar temperaments but different physical features, like a Zebra Finch or a Strawberry Finch.

Breeding Habits of Long Tailed Finches

In their Australian natural habitat, Long Tailed Finches will breed from January to May, encompassing most of the wet season and the start of the dry season. In captivity, they can breed any time of year if the conditions are adequate.

The hen will lay a clutch size of around four to eight eggs. Both the male and female Shaft-Tail will help incubate them. They will incubate the eggs until they hatch at around two weeks. At 21 days old, the birds will begin fledging. And after about six weeks, the parents will wean the fledglings out of the nest.

At this weaning date, we recommend moving the young Shaft-Tails out of that aviary. If the parents decide to mate again, they may become territorial and aggressive toward their young. Removing them from the cage doesn’t make any birds sad or stressed. Instead, it reduces conflict and allows for further breeding.

In fact, a hen Shaft-Tail finch can produce three clutches per season, so keep this in mind if you’re housing your own breeding pair.

Care Guide for a Shaft-Tail Finch

Proper Aviary Design

Aviary Size

For each pair of Shaft-Tail finches, you should have at least 3-4 square feet of space on the bottom.

Shaft-tail finches are very active birds, so they need a large enclosure to be happy and healthy. Without adequate space and entertainment, this species is known to become obese in captivity.

An aviary that’s too small is also damaging to their mental state. They can become stressed, agitated, depressed, and aggressive. This will also encourage conflicts among birds in an enclosure, regardless of the species.

Aviary Shape

Because they enjoy flying back and forth and can’t climb, the length of their enclosure is more important than the height. Also, avoid using rounded edges for the structure, as this removes some of their available space.

Aviary Materials

Chewing and ingesting materials can be an issue for finches in an aviary. To avoid this, the structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, our Serenity Aviaries don’t allow for chewing or ingestion. These structures are made from solid oak, stainless steel wire, anodized aluminum, high-grade laminate panels, and acrylic or glass windows.

Aviary Features

For a Long Tailed Finch enclosure, you’ll need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal lighting and heating, among other accessories.

Each of our aviaries comes with these features, and we’ll perform regular maintenance and food replenishment on each service visit. We also offer many additional accessories for your and your finch’s benefit.

Customize Your Own Shaft-Tail Finch Aviary

We work with each client to learn about their facility and its space requirements. Then we discuss the dimensions and overall aviary design. Finally, we’ll decide on the appropriate number of birds that best fit the enclosure.

Each bird aviary is custom-made in our state-of-the-art woodworking factory. Below are some of our popular aviary colors you can choose from. Black and white are our contemporary finishes, and if you’d like a different hardwood color than what you see below, you can reach out to us here.

Keeping Long Tailed Finches with Other Birds

Shaft-Tail finches aren’t the most aggressive birds, but they’re not the nicest, either. They fall into the “pushy’ category, so we’re careful when adding birds to these aviaries. They get along well with birds of their species, but they can also get aggressive with them. This happens the most between males in cages with multiple mating pairs.

Mixed aviaries are acceptable with Shaft-Tail finches. But, they can be hostile to other species that resemble their physical appearance. So, in our Serenity Aviaries, we mix Shaft-Tails with birds that match their temperament but differ in appearance, like a society finch, a zebra finch, or a green singer finch.

Fresh Food and Water

When housing a Long Tailed Finch, supplying a mix of seeds, small leafy greens, and fruits will suffice for most of the year.

VCA Animal Hospitals recommends using “…a balanced diet of commercially available palleted food with smaller amounts of fresh produce and seed.” During the breeding season, however, they like to eat insects for extra nutritional value. Their favorite foods year-round consist of millet, egg food, sprouted seed, small mealworms, termites, and ant pupae.

As for water, you should offer fresh dishes of water every day. There should be one water source for bathing and one for drinking, and both should be cleaned with soap and water and replenished each day.

The Infinity Feeder

Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to worry about feeding or cleaning dishes every day? Well, Serenity makes this possible. Our proprietary bird feeder/waterer, the Infinity Feeder, holds plenty of bird seed and keeps their drinking water sanitized for months (or until our next service visit).

In fact, since implementing this product, significantly fewer birds are getting sick. Each time we visit a location, we provide health checks on the birds and replenish the feeder with fresh bird seed and water.

Functional Décor

You will need some interior décor to offer entertainment and comfort for Long Tailed Finches. Some vital objects to include are nests, branches, and swings.

Swings and Branches

Swings and branches offer entertainment, a spot to perch, and a way to establish territory. An added bonus is that by jumping and landing on these horizontal branches, they naturally trim their claws.

It’s also important to install these items toward the top of the aviary because finches prefer to perch as high up as possible.

Nests

As for nests, Long-Tailed finches may use them for resting, hiding, and breeding if you have a breeding pair. Just like perches and swings, make the nests accessible, but position them as close to the top as possible.

Ongoing Aviary Cleaning and Maintenance

By leasing through Serenity, much of the maintenance will be taken care of for you. You’ll get an elegant bird enclosure, a collection of finches, a full suite of proprietary products, and routine cleaning services for no upfront cost and a low monthly fee.

Without Serenity Services, you have several things to do to keep your Shaft-Tails happy and healthy:

• Sanitize and replenish food and water sources.
• Remove and replace bedding.
• Clean droppings tray.
• Wipe down all surfaces.
• Scrub all cracks and crevices.
• Sanitize and rotate accessories.
• Thoroughly rinse and dry the enclosure.

If you have any questions about our aviaries or how to care for your Shaft-Tail finches, don’t hesitate to reach out today!

Next Up: The Strawberry Finch

Thank you for visiting our blog! We will continue our finch-focused blog series on Tuesday, March 28th, 2023, so check back in to learn about the Strawberry Finch!

Also, keep an eye out for our other informative blog posts on birds, aviaries, fish, and aquariums!

The post The Shaft-Tail Finch appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Whether you notice it or not, you may actually feel better mentally when seeing or hearing birds.

New research from King’s College London has found that simple interactions with birds can positively impact our moods and mental wellbeing.

How the Study was Conducted

The researchers sought to isolate data from human-bird encounters and track those people’s moods.

By using a smartphone app called Urban Mind, they were able to study people’s moods 3 times per day for 14 days (42 total assessments).

On each assessment, around 1,300 participants recorded their mental state and briefly described their environment.

The question fields were as follows:

1. I am feeling happy.
2. I am feeling stressed.
3. Can you see trees right now?
4. Can you see or hear birds right now?

For fields (1) and (2), participants recorded their level of happiness and stress by choosing from a range of “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree”.

Fields (3) and (4) prompted simple yes/no responses.

Results from Bird Interactions

Do birds help mental health?

The study showed significant evidence that everyday encounters with birds improved participants’ moods, regardless of demographics like age or gender.

One could deduce that the findings are a result of being surrounded by nature, and not from bird encounters.

However, researchers found a possible causal link between seeing and hearing birds and participants’ mental well-being.

For those who reported hearing or seeing birds, higher levels of mental wellbeing were noted at the next assessment, even if they were not around birds at that time.

Meanwhile, mental wellbeing was generally lower in participants who had not seen or heard birds during their previous assessment.

In fact, the data showed that a simple bird encounter can improve someone’s mental wellbeing for up to eight hours after the interaction.

Why is this Data Important?

Insight into Treatment for Depression

Did you know nearly 30% of people in nursing homes have minor or major depression?

In fact, depression is the second most common psychiatric illness in the elderly, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic made matters much worse.

This new data on bird encounters may offer insight into better treatment.

For example, some participants in the study noted a previous diagnosis of depression and those who saw or heard birds reported a general uptick in their mental wellbeing.

Bird watching is a form of therapy that encourages us to redirect our focus and relax our mental state.

It’s also a pastime that doesn’t cost much, as opposed to expensive medications.

If you’d like to learn about the causes, signs, or treatments for depression, there are great online resources available, like the Eisenberg Family Depression Center.

Happiness is Important for Physical Health

Studies have shown that people who are generally happier have more effective immune systems.

In one such study, participants were given a nasal drop containing one of two types of the common cold.

Researchers found that members who reported as the happiest at the beginning of the study were the least likely to get sick.

Based on this data, do you think an indoor aviary could benefit residents in a nursing home? Or patients at a hospital?

Our clients say it has.

If you need more convincing, visit Positive Psychology’s website for a list of studies that found some physical benefits of having positive mental health.

The Data Shows How Crucial it is To Experience Nature

Going outside and surrounding oneself with nature is an excellent activity for our physical and mental states.

Unfortunately, some people, especially those in nursing homes, may not have that luxury.

This is a primary reason that nursing home aviaries have become so popular.

For over a decade, Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services has provided nursing home residents with an indoor aviary and a collection of vibrant, joyful finches.

Additional Data on Depression and Nature

Another study shows that people who live in areas with more birds, shrubs, and trees are less stressed and less likely to suffer from depression than those who don’t.

Going for walks, hikes, bird watching, picnics, and picking flowers are all plausible outdoor activities that can really brighten someone’s mood.

How We Bring Nature and Birds Indoors

We fabricate spacious bird aviaries for facilities across the US.

Not only do we build aviaries and provide finches for them, but we also offer comprehensive aviary services, so staff is never tied up with cleaning or maintaining an aviary.

Healthcare, hospitality, and small businesses are just a few of the industries that we work with.

Since adding an aviary to their space, our clients have noticed happier residents, delighted guests, and increased productivity, respectively.

Do you think a bird enclosure can benefit you and the people you work with?

We welcome you to learn more about Serenity and decide for yourself.

The post New Study on Bird Encounters and Mental Wellbeing appeared first on Serenity Aquarium & Aviary Services.

Welcome to the first post of our blog series about the wonderful finches in our aviaries! In part one, we’ll learn about the Green Singer Finch, also known as the Yellow Fronted Canary.

Our clients get excited about their new birds, but none were more excited than Irene, a resident at one of the nursing homes we service. Irene has always had a love for birds. In fact, in her early teens, she had a yellow finch of her own, Daisy.

She was happy when she heard her home was getting an aviary, but she was overjoyed when she saw the yellow plumage of the Green Singer finches. The sight of these birds brought back memories from her childhood and the little friend she used to care for.

Now, Irene starts every morning by the aviary. She talks with the birds as they sing and fly around, just like she did with Daisy.

Many of her friends join her to interact with the birds. The aviary sparked an engaging activity for residents, as they’re encouraged to meet and talk with one another.

They worked together to name their finches, too. And Irene gave her favorite Green Singer a very familiar one: Daisy.

This is why we love our birds, and it’s why we want people to learn about them. So, we’re dedicating a post to each of our finches.

Here, we’ll share with you some facts about Green Singer finches, finch care tips, and how Serenity provides them with safe and comfortable homes.

Natural Habitat

Green singer finches, also called yellow-fronted canaries, are native to savannahs and woodlands in central and southern Africa. They’ve also been introduced to parts of Hawaii, particularly Oahu and Molokai.

Humans are closing in on many of their habitats but these hardy birds stay resilient, coexisting in urbanized areas when adequate food is available.

Their diet in the wild consists mainly of grass seeds. They will also eat weeds, buds, and flowers year-round. During mating season, however, they become more insectivorous, eating worms, small locusts, and crickets for extra protein.

Physical Characteristics

The Green Singer finch grows to around 4 inches from beak to tail. These vibrant finches have yellow bellies with streaks of gray. Their wings and tail, however, can be light or dark gray with touches of yellow. A Green Singer’s head is also gray with yellow streaks around its dark brown eyes. And finally, they have a tan-colored beak.

Females have a nearly identical color pattern, except for a black band around their neck that resembles a necklace. The juveniles are similar still, but with a less defined “yellow color” and more gray features.

Bird Song

Like most finches, the male Green Singer is the one that sings, while the females make short chirping sounds. If you want to hear their tunes for yourself, play the short video below!

Behavior and Temperament

In the wild, you’ll find large flocks of Green Singer finches traveling together. This is common in the non-breeding season, but this behavior changes during the breeding season. Smaller groups of males will perch high up in trees, build nests, and sing to attract their mates.

For a peaceful bird cage, pair one male and one female. For a mixed aviary, we recommend including different species that have similar temperaments but don’t resemble their physical appearance. Regardless of the species you plan to mix, consider having more females than males, as this usually keeps peace in the enclosure.

Breeding Habits

The Green Singer’s breeding season in their natural habitat goes from September to January. In the Northern Hemisphere, they tend to breed anywhere between March and October. Green Singer finches will make strong bonds with their mates during the breeding season, but they tend to go their separate ways afterward.

The hen will lay two to four eggs per clutch and incubate them. The cock doesn’t help incubate the eggs. Instead, he contributes by feeding the hen during the incubation period. After about two weeks, the babies will hatch, and both parents will feed them. They will be full-fledglings at around 16-18 days old.

At this point, the cock continues weaning its young as the hen prepares for her next brood. About four weeks after their fledge date, they should be fully weaned from the nest.

Proper Care for Green Singer Finches

Appropriate Aviary Features

Aviary Size

The first step in creating a comfortable home for Green Singers is having the correct cage size. When it comes to housing Green Singer finches, the bigger the enclosure, the better. But, many believe that for each pair of finches, you should have at least 3-4 square feet of space on the bottom.

Aviary Shape

Green Singer finches enjoy flying back and forth, but they can’t climb, so the length of their enclosure is more important than the height. Also, avoid using rounded edges, as this removes some of their available space.

Aviary Materials

Chewing and ingesting materials can be an issue for finches in an aviary. To avoid this, the structure should be free of softwood, paint, untreated steel, and soft plastics.

By using high-grade materials, our Serenity Aviaries don’t allow for chewing or ingestion. These structures are made from solid oak, stainless steel wire, anodized aluminum, high-grade laminate panels, and acrylic or glass windows.

Aviary Functionality

For a Green Singer’s aviary, you’ll need food and water access, ventilation, adequate internal lighting and heating, among other accessories.

Each of our aviaries comes with these features and we’ll perform regular maintenance and food replenishment on each service visit. We also offer many additional accessories for your and your finch’s benefit.

Customize your own Aviary

Our large enclosures provide the space and functionality for each bird to feel safe, comfortable, and entertained. But before we build anything, we work with each client to find the right size and color for their interior. Then, we determine the appropriate number of finches for that custom bird cage.

Below are some of our popular aviary colors. White and black are our contemporary finishes, and if you’d like a different hardwood color, you can reach out to us today.

Keeping with Other Finches

Some Green Singer finches can be aggressive toward other birds, but all finches desire companionship in an enclosure. At Serenity, we understand what birds they should and shouldn’t be housed with. This results in a happy and healthy enclosure for all.

Since these finches are relatively pushy, we pair them with birds of a similar temperament but a much different plumage. Some common companions in our aviaries are the zebra finches, lavender finches, and the shaft-tail finch.

Food and Water Sources

Serenity provides a high-quality seed mix as well as treated water for the Green Singers in your aviary. If you would like to add food to the aviary as a treat, you can add some of the below items once or twice a week on a clean plate.

• Organic Greens – dandelion, clover, kale, all lettuce except iceberg
• Fruits – Apples, figs, pears
• Millet Sprays
• Minerals – crushed cuttlebone, egg shells,

They need to drink water and love to bathe, so you can add a small dish of warm water once a week – just make sure to remove this from the aviary after a couple of hours. Make it an activity so all the residents, visitors, or customers can watch them bathe!

Our proprietary bird feeder/waterer, the Infinity Feeder, holds plenty of bird seed and keeps the water sanitized for months or until our next service visit. In fact, since implementing this product, we’ve seen a sizeable drop in the number of birds getting sick. Each time we visit a location, we provide health checks on the birds and replenish the feeder with fresh bird seed and water.

Functional Aviary Decorations

Lastly, you’ll need some interior decor. Green Singers don’t need a significant amount of entertainment to be happy, but some important items to include are branches, perches, swings, and nests.

Swings and branches offer entertainment, a spot to perch, and a way to establish territory. An added bonus is that by jumping and landing on these horizontal branches; they naturally trim their claws. It’s also important to install these items in various spots towards the top of the aviary because finches prefer to perch as high up as possible.

As for nests, Green Singer Finches may use them for resting, hiding, and breeding, if you have a breeding pair. Just like perches and swings, make the nests accessible, but position them as close to the top as possible.

Ongoing Aviary Cleaning and Maintenance

By leasing through Serenity, much of the maintenance will be taken care of for you. So, your facility will get an elegant bird enclosure, a collection of finches, a full suite of proprietary products, and routine cleaning services for no upfront cost and a low monthly fee.

Without Serenity Services, you have several things to do to keep your Green Singers happy and healthy:

• Sanitize and replenish food and water sources.
• Remove and replace bedding.
• Clean droppings tray.
• Wipe down all surfaces.
• Scrub all cracks and crevices.
• Sanitize and rotate accessories.
• Thoroughly rinse and dry the enclosure.

We’ll See you Again Soon!

Thank you for visiting our blog! We will be continuing our finch-focused blog series on February 28th, 2023, so make sure to check back in to learn about the Shaft-Tail Finch!

In the meantime, keep an eye out for our other informative blog posts on birds, aviaries, fish, and aquariums!

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