# Canary (*Serinus canaria*) Canaries are small, colorful birds that love to sing beautiful songs. They have bright feathers and are very friendly pets that bring joy with their cheerful tunes. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Canary Bird, Serin ![Canary](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426500/objects/5958.jpg) ## Appearance The Canary is a small finch, most famously known for its bright yellow plumage, though domestic varieties can be orange, white, or variegated. It has a relatively stout body, a short conical beak perfect for seeds, and delicate feet, making it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Fringillidae - **Genus:** Serinus ## Interesting facts - A male canary's song can be surprisingly loud for such a tiny bird! - Miners used canaries to detect dangerous gases, saving human lives by reacting first! - Over 30 breeds of canaries exist, each with unique looks or songs! - Wild canaries aren't always bright yellow; many are greenish-yellow to blend into nature! ## Special abilities - **Master Songster:** Canary can produce a rich and varied song because of its complex syrinx, helping them attract mates and define territory. - **Seed Cruncher:** Canary has a strong, conical beak that helps them efficiently crack open and eat hard seeds from various plants. - **Acoustic Learner:** Canary can mimic sounds and learn new melodies because of its vocal plasticity, allowing for unique individual songs. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12.5-13.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-23 cm - **Weight:** 0.012-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 13-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These little birds mostly munch on seeds, but sometimes enjoy a bug for extra protein! - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Small insects, Berries, Leafy greens - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Kestrel (*Falco tinnunculus*) — Kestrels are common predators of small birds like the canary. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Domestic cats are a significant predator of garden birds worldwide. - **Eats:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Canaries frequently consume the nutrient-rich seeds of dandelions. - **Eats:** Nodding Thistle (*Carduus nutans*) — Thistle seeds are a vital food source for many finches, including canaries. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always handle canaries gently and make sure they have a safe cage to live in. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Canary? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Canary? 12.5-13.5 cm ### What is Canary's wingspan? 20-23 cm ### How much does Canary weigh? 0.012-0.02 kg ### How long does Canary live? 3-5 years ### How fast can Canary move? 40 km/h ### What does Canary eat? These little birds mostly munch on seeds, but sometimes enjoy a bug for extra protein! ### Where is Canary usually found? Urban areas ## Where to spot - [Loro Parque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loro-parque) — Canary Islands, ES · Zoo - [Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-butterfly-and-nature-conservatory) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Kurpark Bad Dürrenberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kurpark-bad-durrenberg) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Park - [Teno Rural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/teno-rural-park) — Canarias, ES · Park - [Betancuria Rural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/betancuria-rural-park) — Canarias, ES · Park - [Garajonay National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garajonay-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park [View all places to see Canary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/canary) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Canary: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canary)