The Domestic Canary is a domesticated form of the Wild Canary, a small songbird in the finch family originating from Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands.

Canaries were first bred in captivity in the 1600s. They were brought over by Spanish sailors to Europe. Monks started breeding them and only sold the males (which sing). This kept the birds in short supply and drove the price up. Eventually Italians obtained hens and were able to breed the birds themselves. This made them very popular and resulted in many breeds arising and the birds being bred all over Europe.

The same occurred in England. First the birds were only owned by the rich but eventually the local citizens started to breed them and, again, they became very popular. Many breeds arose through selective breeding, and they are still very popular today for their voice.

They come in many colours such as; yellow, orange, brown, black, white, and red. 1 in 65 wild canaries are naturally red.

Varieties

Canaries are generally divided into three main groups: Colorbred Canaries (bred for their many color mutations – Ino, Eumo, Satinette, Bronze, Ivory, Onyx, Mosaic, Brown, etc.), Type Canaries (bred for their shape and conformation – Border, Fife, Gloster, Gibber Italicus, Raza Española, Berner, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Norwich, Australian Plainhead, etc.), and Song Canaries (bred for their unique and specific song patterns – Spanish Timbrado, German Roller, Waterslager (also known as “Malinois”), American Singer, Russian Singer, Persian Singer).

Competitions

In the Northern hemisphere, Canaries are judged in competitions every fall.Shows generally begin in October and November after the breeding season ends. Birds can only be shown by the person who raised them. They all have unique bands on their legs that indicate the year of birth, the unique band number, the club to which the breeder belongs. Some song-breed canaries are judged later in the year (January).

See complete details with images at

http://best-pet-animals.blogspot.com/

Kanariekeuring in Wommelgem 2005

These are snap shots of my birdroom and birds.

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[eba kw="canary" num="2" ebcat="267"]
Cool, arent they?

Canaries make wonderful pet birds. They are a classic choice because of their beautiful coloring and lovely songs. They have relatively long lives, under proper care they will give their owner upwards of 15 years of companionship and devotion. If you’re serious about purchasing a canary, you’ve got to make sure that you are ready and willing to make the time commitment. Follow my tips for proper care.

Before you bring your canary home, you will need to stock up on all of the proper supplies and equipment. The most important and most expensive item you will need to invest in is a high quality bird cage. You should purchase a metal cage that is at least 14x16x17 inches. The metal bars of the cage should be around a half inch apart. If you can afford to purchase a larger cage, don’t hesitate. The larger the cage the better for your canary. In addition to your cage, you will also need to purchase food and water bowls, as well as canary-specific toys. A large bath is also essential. You canary will enjoy preening and cleaning itself on a daily basis. Once you’ve brought your canary home, it’s important that you find the perfect location for its new home. Place the bird cage in a shaded area in your home that is located away from cool drafts or hotspots like your kitchen. When feeding your canary, you will need to purchase pellets made for canaries. You will also need to supply your new bird with fresh fruit and vegetables daily, as well as fresh clean water. Once you’ve settled in, make sure that you begin giving your canary the attention it needs and craves. You should play and interact with your canary daily. Expect to spend at least an hour everyday if you want you canary to be truly happy and healthy. With a little practice, you can even teach your canary to perch on your finger.