14 Interesting Facts About Canaries

Most pet canaries trace their story back to the Atlantic canary, a small finch from the islands of Macaronesia. Here are 14 source-checked facts about the wild bird behind the familiar household name.

1. Its scientific name is Serinus canaria. The wild species is often called the Atlantic canary or island canary.
2. It belongs to the finch family. Atlantic canaries are small songbirds in the family Fringillidae.
3. The species is native to the Canary Islands. That island group lies off the northwest coast of Africa.
4. Its native range extends beyond the Canary Islands. Wild Atlantic canaries are also native to Madeira and the Azores.
5. The bird came after the island name. “Canary” refers to the bird from the islands; the islands were not named for the bird.
6. Wild canaries are not usually bright, solid yellow. They are commonly yellow-green with brownish or darker streaking.
7. Male and female wild birds can look different. Males tend to show brighter yellow-green areas, while females are generally more muted.
8. Young birds have their own look. Juvenile Atlantic canaries are typically browner and more heavily streaked than adults.
9. They are small birds. The Atlantic canary is a compact passerine rather than a parrot or parakeet.
10. Song is part of its identity. The wild species is recognized as a songbird, and domestic canaries have long been selected for a variety of songs and appearances.
11. Wild birds use wooded and shrubby settings. Records describe the species in places with trees, bushes, and open vegetation.
12. Their nests are cup-shaped. Atlantic canaries build small cup nests in trees or bushes.
13. The species has been recorded outside its native islands. People have introduced Atlantic canaries to some other island locations.
14. Its European conservation assessment is Least Concern. That status describes the wild species and should not be confused with the many domestic varieties people keep.

A quick note about wild and domestic canaries

Domestic canaries are closely connected to the Atlantic canary, but they have been selectively bred into many colors, song types, and forms. Looking at the wild species offers a useful reminder that the familiar name has an island-bird origin.

Sources

• Ascension Island Government: Atlantic canary
• European Environment Agency: Serinus canaria
• BirdLife International: Island Canary