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All the different types of canary that
we know today are descended from the
wild canary (Serinus
canarius). The first reference to this bird is in Gesner's
Historia Animalium (1555) where he refers to 'a bird of
sweetest song brought from the Canary Islands'. This bird was
4.5 to 5 inches (12-15 cm) in length, non-descript in
appearance, and in comparison with modern canaries shows how
much breeders have accomplished over the years.
(1)
Click here to see
the breeding chart
Old Variety Canary is a term that
represents a group of canary breeds that are distinct for
either their feather patterns or position. The origins of this
canary type can be traced back to the 18th and 19th centuries
with many breeds made popular during the Victorian Era.
In the past, Old Variety Canaries were
bred and shown primarily in Holland, Italy and Great Britain.
While many canary breeds have become extinct, there are still
numerous that remain popular today.
Click here to see the current
Old
Variety list
(1) Canaries in Color. George Lynch
(1972). Hippocrene Books, Inc. |
