Canaries as Pets

A canary can make a wonderful pet for the young and for the old, to look at and for the joyous songs they sing. They are active little birds, always in motion, looking for food, taking a bath and always interested in the activity around them. 

Today's canary comes in many colors. The original wild canary (Serinus serinus) was a drab greenish brown color. The yellow color that most people associate with a Canary has been developed by selective breeding. Today's canary can be green, white, yellow, red factor, with variegation's and ticks of darker color. Some have crest on top of their head. Example is the Gloster, a type canary.

There are three main breeds of canary: color canaries, type canaries, and song canaries. There are numerous varieties in each breed and there are mixed breeds of canaries. My selection here is the Waterslager song canary. Would love to add the Hartz to my aviary.

Pet canaries are usually purchased for their singing ability. Males are the singers. Hens may chirp but do not sing aloud. Hen can also make wonderful pets as they cheep and chatter and do their housework each day. 

A canary can live 10 to 12 yrs. They are independent birds and do not like to be hand held. They are delightful companions and will recognize you with a twitter, chip or song when feeding or when entering the room. The male (cock bird) canaries song will radiate through your home. Canaries are meant to be seen and heard.