The domestic canary, often referred to as simply the canary, is a domesticated form of the wild canary, a small songbird in the finch family. The Atlantic Canary gets its name from its distribution across the Canary Islands. The islands were named after the bird, not the other way around.

 

Morphologically, the domestic canary exhibits distinctive features that set it apart from its wild counterparts. Canaries typically have a compact and robust body, measuring around 12-14 centimeters in length. Their beaks are short, sturdy, and slightly curved, which is ideal for cracking open seeds.

 

Canaries feed in flocks, consuming seeds, grasses, and occasional insects.

 

During courtship, males sing to females. Females respond differently, exhibiting singing and body movements that depend on their interest in the quality of the song. They construct nests using twigs, moss, grass, and line them with soft materials such as hair or feathers. A group of canaries will nest in the same vicinity, with each pair defending a small territory. The eggs, which are light blue-green with reddish spots, typically consist of 3 to 5 per clutch. Each pair may raise 2 or 3 broods each year.

 

Canaries sing with a specialized vocal apparatus called the syrinx, located at the base of their trachea. Their syrinx consists of thin muscles and membranes that vibrate, enabling them to produce a rich repertoire of sounds.