Island/Common Canary

Serinus canaria

"Best Choice" Pet Best Choice

The Island Canary (or Atlantic Canary), is a small songbird native to Portugal, Spain, and the Canary Islands (for which the species was named). Wild birds are found in a variety of habitats and primarily eat seeds. Canaries are gregarious, usually nesting and feeding in small groups.

The Common Canary is the domesticated form of the Island Canary. It is a common household pet, popular for its bright color and sweet singing voice. Common Canaries are usually vibrant yellow but they have been bred for many different color variations.

Did You Know?

Island Canaries have been successfully kept as pets since the 13th century.

Source Sustainability Best Choice

Does the harvest for wildlife trade or captive breeding of this species harm wild populations?

Little Cause for Concern

Populations of Island Canaries appear to be thriving in the wild. There is some evidence that wild canaries are trapped for the pet trade, particularly on the Canary Islands.

Canaries are extremely easy to breed in captivity. As a result, the vast majority of canaries sold as pets are captive bred.

PetWatch Recommendation:

Only purchase a Common Canary from a reputable breeder or distributor to ensure that you are not buying an illegally wild-caught and/or imported animal. Additionally, ask for proof that your animal was captive-bred; PetWatch strongly recommends only purchasing captive-bred birds to ensure that wild populations can continue to thrive.

Invasion Threat Best Choice

Does the release or escape of this species into the wild harm the environment and/or economy?

Little Cause for Concern

Canaries have established self-sustaining populations outside their native range on Hawaii, Bermuda, and other islands. Their tolerance of different habitats and high reproductive potential make it easy for canaries to colonize new sites; there is little evidence, however, that this species has had negative impacts on native communities.

PetWatch Recommendation:

Make sure that your pet Canary is always kept inside an enclosure and does not have the opportunity to escape. Never release a pet into the wild.

Animal Welfare Best Choice

Does harvest, captive breeding, transport, or being kept as a pet harm individual animals?

Little Cause for Concern

Island Canaries have been successfully kept as pets since the 13th century. The domesticated Common Canary is easily bred in captivity and continues to be a popular and resilient household pet.

PetWatch Recommendation:

When purchasing a pet Canary, ask for proof that the animal was bred by a professional with a permit to sell the animal. Given the lack of oversight, animals in the illegal wildlife trade may be mistreated.

Health Threat Fair Choice

Does this animal pose a health risk to native wildlife, humans, livestock and agriculture?

Some Cause for Concern

We found no evidence that the Common Canary poses a significant threat as a carrier of diseases harmful to humans and/or other wild or domesticated species.

However, there is some evidence that the Island Canary has been afflicted with, and possibly contributed to, the spread of the parasitic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii and the infectious disease psittacosis.

PetWatch Recommendation:

When purchasing a pet Canary, ask for proof of a clean bill of health. Ask the seller if the animal has been checked by a certified veterinarian and for a list of any medical treatments the animal has received.

EcoHealth Alliance works at the intersection of ecosystem, animal and human health through local conservation programs and develops global health solutions to emerging diseases.
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