There are special breeding cages available that first allow the male and female canary to become accustomed to one another without allowing contact. These cages have a divider down the middle that can be removed when you are ready to allow your canaries to mate. Nests for breeding canaries are available from specialty pet supply providers. If you buy a pre-made nest, you will also need to buy your canaries some nesting material that they can add to the pre-made nest.
Male canaries will usually come into condition before the female. Signs that they’re ready to mate include dropping their wings when they sing and singing harsher and louder songs. They may also dance around on their perch and be more territorial when other males are nearby. Females will most often begin to tear paper, as if readying a nest, when they come into condition. The most certain sign of their readiness, however, is when their vent appears red and swollen. They may also raise their tails and appear to squat when males are nearby.
Watch for any fighting. If they begin to fight, separate them immediately and watch for signs that they’re still both in condition. However, mating can be relatively aggressive, so be sure that you are not witnessing breeding instead of regular fighting.
At this point you should also separate the parents again as well.
