The “mating” is the moment in which the male and the female canary begin to live together in the same cage, with reproduction purposes.
Before the mating, the male and the female can live in separate cages.
The mating is performed as soon as spring begins. But, if on the first attempt the relationship does not work, it will be necessary to wait a couple days to try again.
Usually, there are a series of signs that indicate if the male (being alone in the cage) is ready for the mating:

• It will sing more than normal.
• It will be more restless.
• It can even turn aggressive if he listens to or sees a canary.

Not only the male demands, but the female has its way of showing that she is prepared: they are fidgety, and carry lint around in their beak.

When canaries show these symptoms, it is time to put them together. They will be placed in the same cage but separated by the dividing wall, this to allow them to get to know each other gradually.

Complications that may come along
As in any coexistence there are a series of complications that may come along.
• The union may not be satisfactory and the canaries might fight.
• The male may not feel encouraged by that female or vice versa.
In these cases you would have to decide if you will separate them for a while longer and put them back together, or if time is of the essence, purchase another canary for the mating.
It is important to keep in mind the following: that on the beginning if the mating it is common that the male annoys the female and even normal that he roughs her up her a little. After a few days this situation will revert and they will both dedicate to mutual courtship and seduction. The breeder will have to learn through experience and practice, which relationship is not satisfactory and which responds to only those first moments of mating, in which fights are absolutely normal.
If everything works out well, in a short time the male and female will show their compatibility. If the canaries have come to terms, you should retrieve the division wall so the couple can begin building the nest that will harbor the future offspring.
You should now introduce the chosen nest (plastic or wire) inside the cage, and provide them provide them with the material for its conditioning. It is necessary that this task is left exclusively to the canaries, since an external intromission can make them abandon the construction of the nest.
It is common that the inexpert breeder would be anxious to participate in every stage in the breeding process and wishes, for example, to help the female in perfecting the nest by removing threads or out of place material, etc. Tip: being “hands on” in this stage can lead to failure in the whole process. Do not do it, as anxious as you may be.