Certainly that was the case at one time, but for many years breeding different varieties of canaries has been a major hobby in many countries, including Trinidad & Tobago.

Canaries now come in many different sizes, colours and feather patterns. Some even have “fluffy” feathers called frills. They also have fancy breed-names like “The Parisian Frill”. “The Lizard Canary” (whose feathers have a scaly look).There are also several crested varieties.

Whatever they look like, canaries all need the same basic amenities – good food, fresh water and a cage that is big enough for them to move about. Perches in the cage should be set far enough apart to allow the birds to use their wings as they move between the perches.

Also, canaries like to bathe, so provide them with a bowl of clean water so that they can bathe from time to time.

Canaries breed in the spring (March/April) - even in the tropics! Owners will therefore need to provide the female with nesting material to allow her to follow the natural progression of mating, nest-building, egg-laying and raising chicks.

Although canaries are descended from wild birds they have been cage-bred for generations and can never now live in the wild. For that reason alone, we owe them the best living conditions we can manage.