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pro`s & cons-getting 8yr daughter canary(bird) for christmas2007-11-24 17:25:25

any suggestions appreciated for other gifts.thanks!

Answers:

my sister in law has two canaries & all they do is sit in the cage, tweet a little . fly a little & make a mess. They are

a bit boring & you have to vacuum up after the seeds

every day, a hamster or guinea pig might be better.

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Make sure she is not alergic to bird feathers or droppings, and understands that it is a pet, not a toy.

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Hmmm what would a child want with a Canary.thought that was the sort of thing you bought your old Granny.

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cons are that canaries are very messy. we had a canary called jackpot quickly re-christened shitpot

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I agree with the person above. Make sure she understand that it is not a toy, it's a live animal. Other than the allergic reactions that could occur, I would say go for it if she really wants one. I think it's very good for a child to have a pet that is easy to care for. Just be careful.. if she starts liking the pet thing, get ready to get a dog soon!

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Canaries are not only expensive (for the males, they are the ones that sing) but also very delicate as far as diseases. Your daughter must be very diligent on cleaning their cage. Not only the bottom, but the perches too. They tend to rub their faces on them. If they are cacked with..well..doo-doo it can cause infections. I loved my canaries, but they were definately less hardy and more maintenence than hardier birds like parakeets and finches. But there is no better voice than theirs. It can stop you in your tracks..

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birds are very messy pets. canary's are pretty but only the male sings. the female just kind of hangs out would be pretty boring for a 8yr old. if she wants a bird i would suggest a parakeet, they can learn to talk a little, whistle and are playful. they can be taught to sit on your child's hand shoulder, and some can be taught to play simple games.

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Personally, I don't like the idea of giving a pet as a present. Why, because you are giving a present of work and responsibility (and at 8 yrs old this could easily become your work and responsibility) and a present that could die shortly after if you do any of a long list of do not do's, as many of the above have already mentioned, they are not very hardy birds.