I've been wanting a canary for a while now. My brother raised them when I was a kid, so I know they kinda like to join in singing when they hear music, or even what they perceive as music (I've heard of some over-achievers who warbled along to the sound of a vacuum cleaner). But I was wondering if any other whistlers have songbirds, and if so, do they mix well? Do they join in when you play? Is that a good thing, or do you have to shut them in the closet? (I know, I've been told many times to shut myself in the closet if I must whistle, but that's another story.)
Thanks...
k.
Can't say about canaries and whistles but I have a parakeet that bobs up and down then spins around on his perch which I play the fiddle. Fortunately he dosen't "sing along".
Perhaps if you want a bird a parakeet will do.
Mary
Here's a link to an old-time Northumbrian whistle player whose pet bird used to perch on his whistle while he played (scroll about halfway down the page).
A photo shows him playing with his bird, and on the recording you can even hear the bird singing along. As a whistler and bird-lover, I finally joined the site just to share this. I've gotten the neighborhood mockingbirds to start singing at night when I play my whistle, though they're probably complaining rather than joining me.
So cool, I knew I'd get some interesting replies. Love the photo. I heard once that mockingbirds will "mock" anything including cell phones. I think I will get the canary, anyway the nice lady who raises them has already offered a full refund if he doesn't sing after 2 weeks, so I'm guessing oversinging would be refundable too.
When I first started playing the fiddle my cat used to bite me on the ankles. He doesn't do this any more...I like to tell myself it's because I've improved, but I fear it's just that he's finally realised that it didn't stop me!
Jim, if you keep on like that, we're going to have to forcibly put your coat on for you... *grin*
My cat before this, Dexter, hated the whistle and recorders, meowing piercingly and complainingly while sitting pointedly directly in front of the player, and eventually standing up on his hind legs trying to hook the things out of your mouth with a paw. Our cats now, Spats and Barkley, pretty much handle the music with equanimity; perhaps we've gotten better or something.
Do canaries and whistles mix?
Do canaries and whistles mix?
I've been wanting a canary for a while now. My brother raised them when I was a kid, so I know they kinda like to join in singing when they hear music, or even what they perceive as music (I've heard of some over-achievers who warbled along to the sound of a vacuum cleaner). But I was wondering if any other whistlers have songbirds, and if so, do they mix well? Do they join in when you play? Is that a good thing, or do you have to shut them in the closet? (I know, I've been told many times to shut myself in the closet if I must whistle, but that's another story.)
Thanks...
k.
# Posted on July 17th 2004 by ketida
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
what? i mean....well, what? canaries? songbirds? what? i'm just a tad confused.
# Posted on July 17th 2004 by NickPhelan
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
Can't say about canaries and whistles but I have a parakeet that bobs up and down then spins around on his perch which I play the fiddle. Fortunately he dosen't "sing along".
Perhaps if you want a bird a parakeet will do.
Mary
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by Antikhntr
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
My finches have shown no ill effect from my musical proclevities.
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by baglady
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
Here's a link to an old-time Northumbrian whistle player whose pet bird used to perch on his whistle while he played (scroll about halfway down the page).
http://www.asaplive.com/FARNE/learn.cfm?ccs=188&cs=605
A photo shows him playing with his bird, and on the recording you can even hear the bird singing along. As a whistler and bird-lover, I finally joined the site just to share this. I've gotten the neighborhood mockingbirds to start singing at night when I play my whistle, though they're probably complaining rather than joining me.
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by lyrick
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
Great photo.
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by dave73
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
So cool, I knew I'd get some interesting replies. Love the photo. I heard once that mockingbirds will "mock" anything including cell phones. I think I will get the canary, anyway the nice lady who raises them has already offered a full refund if he doesn't sing after 2 weeks, so I'm guessing oversinging would be refundable too.
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by ketida
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
When I first started playing the fiddle my cat used to bite me on the ankles. He doesn't do this any more...I like to tell myself it's because I've improved, but I fear it's just that he's finally realised that it didn't stop me!
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by alidowney
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
We don't speak to people who haven't introduced themselves in their profiles. HHHhmmmmpppphh
joe
# Posted on July 19th 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
Dear Wissler,
Have you tried asking after the well-being of her feather?
Hey, that's *my* coat.
Oh.
right.
# Posted on July 19th 2004 by Q
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
Nope
Joe
# Posted on July 22nd 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
I've got a cat that doesn't run away when I play the fiddle.
It may be deaf.
# Posted on July 22nd 2004 by Ottery
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
Jim, if you keep on like that, we're going to have to forcibly put your coat on for you... *grin*
My cat before this, Dexter, hated the whistle and recorders, meowing piercingly and complainingly while sitting pointedly directly in front of the player, and eventually standing up on his hind legs trying to hook the things out of your mouth with a paw. Our cats now, Spats and Barkley, pretty much handle the music with equanimity; perhaps we've gotten better or something.
# Posted on July 22nd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Do canaries and whistles mix?
LOL Jim -- I'd have to admit that I'd laugh while I was putting my palm in the chest and giving a good hard shove...!
# Posted on July 22nd 2004 by Zina Lee