The Crested Canaries 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.
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.
The crested canary experienced strong fluctuation in its popularity. In th 1800s, this canary was described as the “King of the Fancy” and was a priced (and expensive) possession that could only be afforded by the wealthy. In its heyday, the aim of all breeders was to produce either clear-bodied yellow canaries with dark crests, or evenly wing-marked birds with dark crests. In their quest to reach this goal, breeders were willing to pay steep prices for their breeding stock, which was one of the reasons why the prices of the crested canary sky-rocketed. It was priced out of the reach of general population and their numbers decreased.
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.
- Should you consider purchasing a canary, please contact the Singing Wings Aviary — breeder and connoisseur of this and other canary breeds.
Breeding:
The crested Canaries should always be mated to Plainheads.
The gene that causes the crested mutation is dominant, but a double dose is lethal. When one gene is inherited, the bird is crested. If two genes are inherited, then the bird’s skull is deformed and the chick usually dies in its shell.
From the results below it can be seen that you will not get anymore live crested chicks by breeding crested to crested, therefore this is not recommended.
Possible Pairings:
- Plainhead × Plainhead will produce 100% Plainhead young.
- Plainhead × Crested will produce 50% Plainhead and 50% Crested young.
- Crested × Crested will produce 25% Plainhead, 50% Crested, and 25% dead, NOT RECOMMENDED!
More on Breeding your Canary
Canary Care and Housing
Species Research by Sibylle Johnson
Please Note: The articles or images on this page are the sole property of the authors or photographers. Please contact them directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Thank you.
