Dave J. Rupiper DVM, Dipl. ABVP East Petaluma Animal Hospital 1420-B South McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94954 Phone: (707) 765-9098 Fax: (707) 765-2984 Web: EPAH.net CANARY/FINCH DIET Canaries and finches usually accept a large variety of food items. In general, most all species will require some form of seed, a pelleted diet, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a calcium source. Specialty foods such as egg food or live foods may be offered during breeding and molting seasons. Fruits and vegetables Feed apples, oranges, mangos, grapes, peas, pears, etc. cut into wedges or slices. Dark leafy greens such as; spinach, kale, carrot tops, radish tops, endive, (no lettuce), chard, collard greens, grated zucchini/cucumber skins are great supplements. Positiion these items such that they hang next to or over the favorite perch. Pellets Pelleted diet recommendations include Scenic, Lafeber’s, Zu Preem Rainbow, Kaytee Exact, Pretty Bird, Hagen Tropican, and Mazuri pellets. Seed Seed brands such as Vitabird, Volkman’s, Kaytee Perchmate or Fiesta are popular vitamin fortified mixes. Specialty Foods Mealworms, waxworms, egg food, hardboiled egg (crumbled) are a few foods canaries will relish during stressful periods when they rear their young or are molting their plumage. Vitamins can be offered in cases where the birds are not eating fresh greens. Calcium is provided in the form of a cuttlebone or mineral block. One should be present in the cage at all times.