BIRDS FOR SALE
Among the variety of canaries I breed and sell, here are only a few on display.
Coloured Canaries - Yellow, Red Factor, Bronze, Brown, Isabel, Blues, Greens, Pastels, Mosaics, Agates, Opals
Singing Canaries - Hybrids "Mules"
Type Canaries - Frills, Crested Glosters, Borders, Lizards
*Availability changes seasonally. Pick up or hand delivery service only for locals (upon purchase)
*If you require shipping please click on the button below to learn more
RED FACTORS
Coloured Type
This is a genuine hybrid, a cross between a yellow Canary and a red siskin (Carduelis cucullata). The hue ranges from pink and orange to deeper shades of red, and the bird has been combined with many other types to introduce red coloration. Red factor birds require a diet rich in beta-carotene to maintain the colour when they are moulting and sprouting new feathers.
MOSAIC LIPOCHROME
Coloured Type
The mosaic feather tends to be wider than the non-intensive feather and has a larger frosted tip. This means that most of the lipochrome colour that still exists in the bird is hidden, except for the specific areas that make a bird with this feather type identifiable. As with the other two feather types, there is a large variation in the width and length of the feathers of mosaic canaries. The specified colour zones should be as intense as possible and only be confined to the prescribed areas of the head, wing butts, rump and chest.
FROSTED / NON-INTENSIVE LIPOCHROME
Coloured Type
Also known as buff, frosted or powdered feathers. In the non-intensive canaries the lipochrome pigment stops just short of the margin of the top of the feather giving the canaries a lightly frosted appearance.
INTENSIVE LIPOCHROME
Coloured Type
Variations of Red, Yellow and White intensive canaries. Lipochrome (Ino-Factor). A lipochrome Canary lacks the black and brown ‘layers’ and is stripped back to its base colour. There are three base types amongst pet Canaries – the classic yellow (Lutino), derived from the colour present in the wild Canary; the Red Factor (Rubino), whose rosy tint derives from a genetically imported red pigment, the result of South American Red Siskins being introduced into the gene pool by cross-breeding with Canaries; and white, in which base colour pigments are lacking (Note: most white Canaries are not albinos, which lack pigmentation in their eyes, skin, legs and beak, not just their feathers). The picture here showcases the yellow clear intensive.
MELANIN
Coloured Typed
The presence of melanin darkens colours, and in Canaries it is responsible for the blacks and browns. It can be present in varying degrees (intensities), and correspondingly different levels of variegation (diversity of colors.) Classical melanin canaries are also divided into two groups: 1. OXIDIZED MELANIN CANARIES (black and brown) 2. DILUTE MELANIN CANARIES (agate and isabel). The picture here shows the isabel.
FRILLS
Type Canary
Frilled canaries are bred, and best known for, their very ornamental appearance. This is both a frilled breed as well as a bird of position. It has two positions, one when at rest and the other when it draws itself up erect on stiffly braced legs with the head thrust forward, giving the bird the form of a figure seven. All frilled canaries have swirled feathers on their back, chest and flanks that curl into distinctive, uniform patterns
CRESTED GLOSTERS
Type Canary
The Crested Canary is a "type canary" that is bred for physical characteristics, particularly its crest, rather than color or song. It is one of canary varieties that have a tuft of feathers around the top of its heads. Other crested varieties include the gloster canary, lancashire canary, stafford canary and norwich canary. Today, the crested canary comes in a multitude of colors and is readily available and appreciated for both its fun looks and great personality. In fact, its popularity is at an all-time high.
BORDERS
Type Canary
Named after the Border region between Scotland and England, where the bird was first established as a distinct variety in the early 19th century. Before 1890 the Border was known as the Wee Gem. I’m probably not alone in wishing this tag had stuck (in spite of it sounding like a type of lettuce). Ironically, given this early name, it has now been developed as a larger-than-average Canary variety, the standard length being 146mm. Most Borders are yellow, but they can be found in a wide range of colour combinations. The defining features are the size, the stance (standing at a 60 degree angle to the perch), a silky smooth coat of feathers, and a plump, rounded profile, with a body resembling a large feathered egg.
LIZARDS
Type Canary
The Lizard Canary - one of the oldest breeds - is believed to have arisen as a mutation from canaries in France during the early 1700s. The Lizard Canary averages about 5.5 inches (14 cm) in length (including its tail). This canary is named for its beautiful markings - the black crescent-shaped spots running down its back and breast, which resemble the scales of a lizard. This visual effect is known as "spangling". The Lizard Canaries gradually lose this lizard-like pattern with each annual molt.
Want to learn more, or view this current season's selection? Call the shop today and leave a request for an appointment.