# Canary — Facts, Threats & Conservation

*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.

**IUCN status:** Domesticated species  ·  **WARN range:** Africa, Europe

## Quick facts
| Fact | 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) |

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

## Conservation status
- **Status:** Domesticated species (not a wild IUCN category)
- **Population:** Global population not compiled for this guide
- **Trend:** See the IUCN Red List assessment
- **Assessed:** See the IUCN Red List assessment
- **CITES:** See CITES appendices
- Conservation figures are drawn from the IUCN Red List and CITES; this guide links to the authoritative sources rather than restating population counts.

## Key facts: Canary
- Spanish and European breeders selected canaries for song quality from the 1500s onward, producing roller, timbrado, and American singer varieties with distinct melodies.
- Wild Serinus canaria on the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores are streaky greenish-yellow finches of open woodland and coast.
- 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.

## 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.

## What WARN does
WARN does not run a dedicated canary programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The canary is a domesticated animal rather than a wild-rescue species, but understanding its needs supports responsible animal welfare. Building public understanding of species like the canary supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.

## Frequently asked questions: Canary
### 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.

### What do canaries eat?
Canaries eat Herbivore — seeds, greens, and egg food during breeding. Canaries are domesticated songbirds descended from wild Atlantic canaries of the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores.

### Are canaries dangerous?
Canaries are domesticated animals and are not dangerous to people in the wild-predator sense. Canaries are domesticated songbirds descended from wild Atlantic canaries of the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. Usual risks are husbandry and handling, not unprovoked attacks.

### How big is a canary?
A Canary is about 7–12 years in captivity; similar in the wild. Canaries are domesticated songbirds descended from wild Atlantic canaries of the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. Conservation status: Domesticated (IUCN).

## Sources
- [IUCN Red List](https://www.iucnredlist.org/)

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Full guide: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/canary