There are many types of canary birds are suitable for keeping as pets. Canaries are extremely popular due to the fact that they are tiny, beautiful amazing singers and easy to handle. In this post, I’ll give you 13 canary species you should be aware about.
If you’re a lover of birds, then be aware of canaries. They are renowned for their song and overall appearance. However, there are many other aspects that distinguish them more than their melodious singing. This is the reason that most breeders are interested with birds.
Types of Canary Birds
The canaries can be classified into three main categories: those that are raised and bred to show their colors, those that are bred to show their physical characteristics or form, and those who are raised for their song.
The majority of breeders who work with these birds are generally attracted by their shape of their bodies, shape, and size but not necessarily the colour of their feathers, or their songs.
Despite their physical distinctions, canary birds are certainly one of the most sought-after species of finches to keep as pets.
These beautiful birds were born in small Islands (the Canaries) located on along the West African Coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
They are also prevalent also in La Gomera, Tenerife, and La Palma along with the island of Madeira and the Azores (not part of the Canaries).
There are a few wild species also located throughout Puerto Rico, Morocco, and Hawaii ( introduced by 1911).
Their natural habitats include mountains and woodlands, but they can be adapted to any kind of habitat. In the last two decades or so, several kinds of canaries have thus to date been bred by humans. They are classified as subspecies of Serinus domesticus canaria.
Gorgeous Canary Varieties
The result of selective breeding is a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The colors of the birds range from white to orange to yellow and pink, which is often associated with canary birds.
Below is a listing of the various types of canary birds that you may like:
— Atlantic Canary
Atlantic Canary is scientifically referred to as Serinus canaria.it is part of the Fringillidae family. It’s almost like its smaller cousin, the European Serin.
It originates from The Canary Islands where it is often seen in large numbers. Atlantic Canary is indeed the most sought-after type of canary bird kept as pets.
Atlantic Canary is distinguished from other Canary birds by its distinctive song. The song is commonly referred to as “liquid” notes.
You can easily recognize Atlantic Canary birds by looking at their appearance. They vary from 10cm to 12cm in length. Their wingspan is between 21 cm and 23.7cm. Males generally have yellow-green heads and underparts.
Their foreheads, supercilium and faces are a more yellow. However, the tail-coverts under and the lower belly are light-colored with dark streaks that are visible on their sides.
The upper parts also appear as yellow-green, with some dark streaks. The rump on wild Atlantic canary is a dull yellow.
Females appear similar to as males, but their breasts and their heads are duller and greyer, with less yellow underparts. Juvenile Atlantic canaries usually appear brown, with a few dark streaks.
Domestic models are available in a variety of shades that range from simple yellow gray, orange, blue and brown. Certain models have curly appearances.
Atlantic canaries are a source of food for insects and seeds however their chicks feed mostly on insects. Their nests are made of cobwebs, straw, and moss.
Blue Factor Canary
The majority of canaries in this group have distinct features that distinguish them apart. They come with a white or yellow color base. They are typically colored by light. The light tricks on you to make you see the hues.
This happens more frequently as the feathers of birds’ hooklets reflect light and cause the appearance of different shades.
The colors that are produced are typically green and purple tinges which can be seen on the faces of starlings or magpies.
In most yellow base birds, the resultant color is green, but when you look at white canaries the color is blue-grey, hence the name Blue Factor Canary.
— Border Fancy Canary
The ideal length for the normal Border Fancy Canary is 14 centimeters. They are tiny and small. They have round bodies and shiny plumage. The selectively breeding English as well as the Scottish Canaries stand at an angle of 60 degrees.
In their feathers These birds sport shiny, smooth feathers. Additionally, their plumage is yellow however they are available in a range of shades. The colors are the buff-colored green and white or cinnamon. They are often varied or ticked.
Border Fancy Canaries are energetic cage birds that can produce many melodious songs.
It is easy to confuse them as Gloster Canaries but you can easily distinguish them due to their distinct and than a chopper-like song.
The birds came from the area that is North-England and South-Scotland which is why they are called Border Fancy Canaries.
— Cinnamon Canary
Cinnamon Canaries were considered to be a distinct breed in England. In the beginning of 1900 they were crossed with a specific breed of canaries – the Yorkshire, Norwich, and Border Canaries- to make their cinnamon-colored color stand out.
The breeds of canaries did not initially have the same intensity in color as will bring out the true color of cinnamon.
But it is the Cinnamon Canary is distinguished by many colors like yellow or buff with some cinnamon red tones.
However, the best color for the birds is a dark radiant red-brown plumage that is the delicate blend of soft browns and pinks.
Rare varieties of canaries are valued because of their exquisite feathers. Certain pet owners believe that cinnamon canaries have the most beautiful and most silky feathers among all breeds of cannery.
— Crested Canary
Crested canaries are adored by a lot of breeders and pet owners for their physical traits. Their crests help them different from the others in comparison to their color or songs. This species is among the species of canary with a small tuft of feathers on their heads.
The past was when canaries with crests were considered pets of those with wealth because of their popularity.
They were priced well above the price of the common populace. The number of them decreased steadily due to the high demand from wealthy people.
Nowadays, crested canaries are available in a variety of colors that have great personalities, and interesting appearances. They have a body shape to bullfinches and have the body length being around 17cm.
Crested canaries are able to reach the height of 16cm. They are short and broadheaded with prominent foreheads. They can be identified by their necks that are moderately long and their long narrow tails parallel to their backs.
— Domestic Canary
Canaries that are domesticated in nature commonly called canaries. They are the domesticated species of wild canaries. The birds originate from Macaronesian Islands. Macaronesian Islands.
These popular pet birds were breed and raised in the court of the royals in Spain as well as England before they spread to other parts of the world.
The other terms used to describe these beautiful birds are Spanish Timbrado, German Roller, Waterslager, and Australian Plainhead.
A domestic canary’s individual can increase in size to 12 to 20 centimeters in length. The colors they can be found in range from red, white brown, black yellow and orange.
Furthermore, they make diverse kinds of songs, such as rolling, trilled, soft and loud music. Their diet is composed of grasses seeds of figs and weeds as well as a wide range of plant material, including tiny insects.
— Fife Fancy Canary
It is a different kind of canary bird beloved by pet owners across the globe. It’s a miniature version of a different type of canary called the Border Canary. Border Canary.
Fife Fancy Canary first developed for its physical characteristics in the middle of the 20th century. Due to it’s name, this bird has its roots to Fife, Scotland. It measures 11.4 cm long and is the tiniest species of canary bird that has been identified to date.
Gloster Canary
In the beginning, it was called Gloucester, Gloster was first breed and then born at Gloucestershire, England. That’s why it’s called Gloster Canary.
The variety of canary birds was first introduced to the market in the 19th century. Nowadays, Gloster is among the most popular show birds to pet bird lovers.
Its popularity exploded in the late 1960’s because of its distinctive design of elements. The arrangement of the feathers gave the head appear like an birds-of-prey Beatle.
Gloster Canary can be described as a small and small bird. It’s around 12.1 centimeters in length. It’s a blend from The Border, Hertz, and the Crested Canaries. Additionally, it features feathers, which makes it different from other canary breeds.
It’s why it’s part of a group of birds commonly known as Coronas due to its feathered hair. However, Coronas aren’t able to be crossed due to their genetic complexity and interbreeding.
Green Canary
They are green Canaries make up the birds that show off. They are classified as green because of their appearance. They are distinguished by their yellow-based color, which is complemented by lots of melanin in the feathers.
It is melanin’s presence in their pigmentation which makes them appear black or green. The same colors can be seen in wild canaries in this group.
Red Factor Canary
They also belong to the category of show birds because of their beautiful coloration. Red Factor Canary Red Factor Canary is actually the red variant of different types of canaries, referred to as the Yellow Melanin.
It is only it is that the color they have chosen to use is red than yellow. Their red color is their base color, and is accompanied by a few hints that are dark in pigment.
Scots Fancy Canary
Scottish Fancy Canaries can also be referred to in the name of the Scottish Fancy Canary, Scottish Canary The Bird ‘o’ Circle as well as Glasgow Don. You can recognize them by their large and tapering bodies which form a curve that looks like an equilateral triangle.
This variety of canary was created within Glasgow, Scotland in the early 1800s. The scientific name for it is Serinus canaria domesticus.
The bird almost went disappearing in the 1900s however it’s being saved by committed breeders in the present. This Scots Fancy Canary can grow to 18 cms in length or even greater.
Like other canaries, this bird has the ability to sing. Its diet is top-quality canary seeds and dried eggs millet spray, chopped fresh greens, oregano.
Greens that are healthy can be fed to your Scots fancy canary. In addition fruit like apple and apricots can be a part of their diets by adding vital vitamins and minerals.
Swiss Frill Canary
Swiss Frill Canary increases to the ideal size between 17 and 18 centimeters. This variety of canary features a body which resembles a half moon.
It also has a narrow, long tail that is in line with the overall shape of the body. This is because the tail allows the bird to attain its signature half-moon body shape.
Apart from that, Swiss Frill Canary has an oval-shaped head that has a long, narrow neck. Contrary to other types of canaries it does not feature frills.
This beautiful bird is sporting the feathers of its mantle. The feathers are long and straight, and extend over two-thirds of the front of this bird.
Feathers surrounding the crop make the form of the basket. Additionally, they are apart from the body’s side. the body, which gives this Swill Frill Canary its distinct appearance. The most important thing is that the Swill Frill Canary traces its roots to Switzerland.
Yellow Canary
Yellow Canary is a large canary made up of males and females. It is easy to identify males by their bright yellow underparts or the yellow-green parts of their underparts. They also have clearly marked face patterns.
In contrast to males, female Yellow Canaries are drab gray-brown in their color. They also have streaky underparts, yellow rumps and edges that are yellowed on their wings.
Furthermore, every female also has a light supercilium. The young canaries resemble the female Yellow Canaries although they have more intense streaks.
This species of canary is distinct from the yellow-fronted Canary due to its lack of black markings on the face.
Furthermore it is not as large as the other African Canary species. The normal Yellow Canary can grow to 12 centimeters in length.
Wrap up
You are at least certain about the different kinds of birds called canaries. As you might have guessed that these birds are considered pets of the family by many people all over the globe.
This is because they possess certain desirable characteristics that are not present in other birds.
However, the most commonly-used characteristics that pet owners and breeders consider attractive include color, size physical attributes, as well as songs.
With this knowledge in the forefront of your thoughts you will be able to make an informed decision about the kind of canary that you’d like to add to your collection of pets for your home.