All About The Canary: Complete Guide to Care & Breeds

The canary (Serinus canaria domestica) is a small, charming finch native to the Macaronesian Islands, including the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira. Introduced to Europe by Spanish sailors in the 17th century, canaries quickly became treasured pets in royal courts and have been bred into over 200 distinct breeds, admired for their colours and melodious song.

Typically measuring 10-14cm with a wingspan of 20-23cm, canaries fall into two main groups: colour-bred canaries, bred for their vivid feather shades, and type canaries, selected for body shape and size. Their delightful song and variety make them ideal companions for beginners and experienced bird enthusiasts alike. For those considering bringing home a lovely canary puppy or bird, responsible sourcing from reputable breeders is essential.

Keeping the Canary

Closely related to British finches like greenfinches and chaffinches, canaries primarily enjoy a seed-based diet. Supplementary foods such as specialised egg food, leafy greens like kale or spinach, and safe fruits like apples enrich their nutrition. Wild-picked weeds like dandelion and chickweed can be offered when free from pesticides. By providing such a varied diet, owners help maintain the bird's health and vitality.

Canaries thrive in cages, indoor aviaries, or larger flights. Outside breeding season, they tend to be not very sociable, often engaging in noisy squabbles without causing harm. Ahead of breeding, separating males and females is common to avoid conflicts, with dividers used to allow the male to sing to the female without pressure.

The female's readiness to mate is signalled by accepting food gifts from the male and nest building in a nesting pan using materials such as coconut fibre, cotton wool, or discarded feathers. Females lay four to five eggs, incubating them for about two weeks while males supply food. Chicks are fed soft food and sprouted seeds for around 18 days until fledging. Breeders sometimes use wire screens to separate parents and fledglings to reduce conflict during this stage.

Colour-bred Canaries

While wild canaries are typically green, most pet canaries are yellow, with many other colours achieved via selective breeding or diet. The red-factor canary, for instance, carries genes from red siskins; its bright red or orange feathers depend on a special red pigment diet each moult. White canaries come as dominant or recessive white mutations, with breeding restrictions to avoid high chick mortality.

Type Canaries

Type canaries vary by physical traits rather than colour. Breeds like the Gloster include the Corona, which sports a distinctive crest, and the Consort, which does not. Both require careful breeding practices to minimise chick deaths. Other types include Border (large), Irish Fancy (small), Fife (common and similar to wild type), Norwich (large with heavier feathers), and Stafford (with shorter, spiky crests).

Song canaries, such as the Spanish Timbrado, German Roller, and Waterslager, are prized for their unique, enhanced singing abilities. Many owners keep song canaries separate to preserve their distinctive voices.

Mules

Canaries hybridise with related British birds like greenfinches to produce mules, birds that resemble their parents but inherit the canary song. Mules are usually infertile, enjoyed as pets but not breeders.

Responsible Ownership and Summary

Canaries are relatively easy to care for, adaptable to various living spaces, and offer enchanting singing companions. While breeding can be straightforward, it requires careful management and ethical practices to maintain bird health and welfare. For prospective owners, sourcing from reputable canary breeders and ensuring a proper diet and environment will help these delightful birds thrive.

With their cheerful song and manageable care needs, canaries remain a wonderful choice for many bird lovers, bringing a splash of colour and melody into the home.