The Differences in a Male & Female Canary Bird

Canaries have been household pets for centuries, having been discovered as a species when Spanish sailors brought the birds back from the Canary Islands in the 15th century, and Spanish monks then bred canaries and sold the males as pets. Eventually, breeders in Italy and Germany popularized the pet songbirds throughout Europe. In the early 20th century, coal miners used canaries to detect toxic fumes in coal mines. Canaries are currently used by neurologists for research into the neurological development of the human brain. Like all species, the male canary and the female canary have distinct characteristics and differences.

  1. Song

    • Only the male canary sings, with the female remaining silent, which is why the song of the male has made this bird so highly sought after as a pet. A canary's song consists of whistles and chirps, which canaries learn from other canaries, usually singing within a wide range of notes. The male's song can also imitate other sounds, such as the ring of a telephone or the alarm of an alarm clock.

    Breeding

    • Canaries breed in the springtime. The female will prepare by building a nest, and as the time to mate draws closer, her belly will become more rounded. After she lays her eggs, she incubates them with her own body heat. As she then builds her nest, the male will sing more vigorously than usual and his belly will protrude downward in the direction of his legs. He will also bring food to the female while she keeps the eggs warm.

    Behavior

    • The male canary is typically more aggressive than the female, and he is usually ready to mate before the female; he might even beat the female with his wings if she is not compliant. He will also show increased aggression toward other males after he has mated and after the female has lain her eggs. The female generally isn't aggressive, but she can become despondent or depressed if she senses her eggs have been tampered with or taken.

    Health and Longevity

    • Much of the longevity for both the male and female canary has to do with the care they are given. Proper cages to encourage exercise and access to water for bathing are key in canary care. The female should be given more calcium and protein during breeding season. Owners should watch for changes in the color, luster and thickness of the plumage, as these could be signs of illness. Typically, a well-cared for male will live 10 to 15 years, while a female will only live five to six years.