# Canary (*Serinus canaria*)

> Canaries are domesticated songbirds descended from wild Atlantic canaries of the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. Bred for centuries for colour and song, they weigh 15–25 g (0.5–0.9 oz) and are kept in millions of households — while wild populations on their native islands remain Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Domesticated
- **Range:** Wild Atlantic canaries on the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores; domesticated varieties kept in cages and aviaries on every inhabited continent.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/canary/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Passeriformes
- **Family:** Fringillidae
- **Genus:** Serinus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Serinus canaria |
| Diet | Herbivore — seeds, greens, and egg food during breeding |
| Habitat | Domestic cages and aviaries; wild on Atlantic islands |
| Lifespan | 7–12 years in captivity; similar in the wild |
| Weight | 15–25 g (0.5–0.9 oz) |
| Top speed | Active flier in aviaries; wild birds migrate locally |
| Conservation status | Domesticated (IUCN) |

## Domestication for song

Spanish and European breeders selected canaries for song quality from the 1500s onward, producing roller, timbrado, and American singer varieties with distinct melodies. Male canaries sing to defend territory and attract mates — hens chirp but typically do not produce elaborate song.

## Wild Atlantic canary

Wild Serinus canaria on the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores are streaky greenish-yellow finches of open woodland and coast. They were trapped and exported until captive breeding supplanted wild collection. Island populations remain secure.

## Coal mine sentinel

Canaries were used in British coal mines until 1986 to detect carbon monoxide — birds succumb to toxic gas faster than humans, giving miners warning to evacuate. The phrase 'canary in a coal mine' now means an early warning indicator for any danger.

## Modern pet care

Pet canaries need spacious cages, varied seed diet with fresh greens, and safe flying time. Colour-fed red factors require dietary carotenoids. They are hardy but sensitive to drafts, fumes, and sudden diet changes — popular beginner birds when basic needs are met.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do only male canaries sing?

Yes — male canaries sing elaborate songs to mark territory and attract females. Females make short chirps and calls but not sustained song.

### Where do wild canaries live?

The Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores in the eastern Atlantic — open woodland, scrub, and coastal gardens.

### Why were canaries used in coal mines?

Canaries are sensitive to carbon monoxide and methane. If a bird stopped singing or died, miners knew to evacuate before gas levels became lethal to humans.

### How long do canaries live?

Typically 7–12 years in captivity with good care — longer than many small pet birds but shorter than large parrots.

### Are canaries finches?

Yes — they belong to the finch family Fringillidae, related to goldfinches and siskins, not true parrots despite their popularity as cage birds.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Serinus canaria.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Serinus%20canaria&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Serinus canaria. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Serinus_canaria/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/canary/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.