The canary was classified by Linnaeus in 1758 in his Systema Naturae. Linnaeus originally classified the canary as a subspecies of the European serin and assigned them to the genus ‘Fringilla’. Decades later, Cuvier reclassified them into the genus Serinus and there they have remained. The canary’s closest relative is the European serin, and the two can produce on average 25% fertile hybrids if crossed.
This species is often kept as a pet; Selective breeding has produced many varieties, differing in colour and shape. Yellow birds are particularly common, while red birds have been produced by interbreeding with the red siskins. Canaries were formerly used by miners to warn of dangerous gases (“canary in a coal mine”). The bird is also widely used in scientific research. Canaries are often depicted in the media with Tweety Bird being a well-known example.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 May 2011 Gore Gardens Southland New Zealand
Featured 25th May 2011

Tweety Bird! – Canary

This Is Junior! – Gloster Canary