Canaries, birds known for both beauty and song, have been popular pets for many centuries. Hundreds of different canary breeds exist throughout the world, all of which can be classified into three distinct types; song canaries, type canaries and color canaries. Some canaries have been bred to be great singers, while others have been bred to have certain markings and shapes or certain colors.
Canary History
All the varieties of canaries originate from the wild canary, Serinus serinus, of the Canary Islands. These beautiful, singing birds were known to the Romans and then rediscovered by the French in 1334, after which captured birds began appearing in other countries. Original canaries were green with hints of grey and yellow, very different from the yellows and oranges popular today. Current shades and color arrangements vary exceedingly.
Song Canaries
The most famous of canaries is the song canary. They are bred specifically for their song. Rollers, waterslagers, American singers and timbrados are the best known song canary breeds. Usually, male canaries sing the best, always trying to impress the females. Song canaries can imitate other birds and music, thus incorporating the sounds into their own song. The most renowned song canary is the Hartz roller canary, emitting a soft tone from the throat with a nearly closed beak.
Type Canaries
Type canary breeders concentrate on shape, stance and other physical characteristics. Well-known type canary breeds include the Fife, border and Gloster canaries. Nearly no attention is paid to the quality of song produced from these birds. Type canaries can be tall or short, fat or skinny and may have smooth or frilled feathers. For example, the Scotch fancy canary sits in an unnaturally bent posture, while the northern Dutch frill has long swooped feathers.
Color Canaries
Color canaries are bred into all colors, except true blues or black. Breeding canaries for color is derived from two color elements: melanin and lipochrome. Melanin color includes dark hues of black and brown, while lipochrome color includes yellow, white and red. The typical yellow bird has been selectively bred without melanin pigmentation. Combined during breeding, melanin and lipochrome create colors of green, blue, bronze, cinnamon, fawn and brown. Additionally, colors may be enhanced by feeding colored foods.
Mules
A female canary bred to a male finch results in a mule canary. Often, these offspring will be infertile. Examples of these breedings are called the goldfinch mule, siskin mule or greenfinch mule. A male canary bred with a female finch is known as a bull. Mules have singing ability and can be exhibited at shows.
Housing
Canaries love to fly in open spaces, and need a cage at least 24 inches wide and 18 inches tall, with bars no more than a half inch apart. Canaries fly across, not up and down, so fix at least two softwood perches, three-eighths to three-quarters of an inch wide, at either end of the cage. Lining the bottom of the cage with newspaper makes it easier to clean. Canaries' cages should be placed in a light, airy position at least 3 feet from direct sunlight and drafts, about 6 feet off the floor. Placing the cage close to a wall helps canaries feel secure.
Diet
Canaries' health benefits from a wide-ranging diet and continuous access to water. Canaries can't survive more than 24 hours without water, so fix a water bottle to the side of their cage and change the water daily. Commercial canary seed and pellets are available, and are vitamin-coated to supply essential nutrients, but canaries also benefit from additional healthy foods such as dandelions, spinach, celery, apples, oranges and grapes, cut into small pieces. Canaries eat about a half a tablespoon of seed a day. Spreading it out thinly in a wide dish helps prevent seed being covered by seed shells. A cuttlebone is essential for calcium and a strong beak and bones.
Care
Canaries' care needs are simple. Keep their cages clean by changing the cage paper and cleaning their food bowl daily. Once a week, wash the cage throughout, including bars and perches, with warm soapy water or bird cage disinfectant. Dry with a clean cloth. Canaries should have their cages covered at night to maintain their natural sleeping patterns and protect them from drafts. Fumes, such as smoke from cigarettes or scented candles, are bad for bird health. Never cook with Teflon or other non-stick pans, as their fumes can kill. Canaries who are too cold puff their feathers up for long periods. If they're too hot, they hold their wings away from their body and pant. Canaries need to have their toenails clipped. Your vet can show you how this is done.
Activities
Often content to fly back and forth for most of the day, canaries can also play in their cages with one or two simple toys, changed weekly for variety. A cage cluttered with toys limits their freedom to fly. Another activity canaries enjoy is bathing in a shallow dish of lukewarm water or wet dandelion leaves. Young male canaries learn to copy sounds they hear regularly, such as a doorbell. If you plan on letting your bird have exercise outside his cage, you will need to train him, which takes considerable time and patience. When handling canaries, the bird's back should lie against the palm of the hand, with thumb and forefinger gently holding the sides of his head.
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