Nutrition and energetics of the canary (Serinus canarius)

Canaries appear to be primarily seed-eaters, although there are no reports of their feeding ecology in the wild. In captivity, they are offered seed-b ased diets, preferring to consume seeds such as canary, rapeseed and miller . The mean daily dry-matter intake ranges from 3 to 4 g, which corresponds to a mean gross energy intake of approximate to 70 kJ per bird per day. The efficiency of dietary metabolism is high (0.85), which equates to individu al metabolizable energy intakes of 45-75 kJ per bird per day. For a canary of average body weight (22 g) the data can be fitted to a regression equati on to predict a requirement of 62 kJ ME per day. This corresponds to publis hed information on the energy requirements of other. passerine species, but deviates from the predictive equation for poultry. The digestibility value s for protein, fat and uarbohqrdratt: are similar to those obtained for the budgerigar, although it is likely that the digestibility coefficient is de pendent upon the seed type and alimentary tract lipase and amylase activiti es. Nutrient requirements of canary chicks have not yet been determined, al though recent studies have provided data on the nutrient intakes of develop ing chicks. The newly-hatched canary chick has a rapid growth rate, achievi ng 90% of its asymptotic body mass by 11 days of age. Gross energy intake i s approximate to 3 kJ per day following hatching and by day 10 is equivalen t to that of an adult canary. It appears that the protein in intake should lie between 16.5 and 21.9% of the diet (as is), with peak intake occurring between 8 and 10 days of age. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights res erved.