Song Canary Bird Breeds

Canaries have been bred in captivity since the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Quite a lot has happened to the wild canary since it was first brought into captivity. Making there way through Spain and Italy, France and England the original Song canary was eventually developed in the Harz Mountains giving them their name, now more commonly known as the Harz Mountain Rollers or German Rollers. Type and Color canaries also got their starts during this time.

German Rollers are highly prized for their songs. Rollers have solely been developed for their song quality and variety. There are several clubs and associations in the United States dedicated to the breeding and exhibiting of these lovely "opera singers of the bird world"..

Belgian Waterslagers are another song canary developed early on. They are larger than the German Rollers and have a very distinctive song. The song is said to resemble that of a nightingale. There are a couple of clubs dedicated to Waterslagers here in the United States.

American Singers, my personal favorite, were developed in Milton Massachusetts by a group of 8 women. They founded the American Singers Club in 1934. The American Singer is a Song type canary. It is a cross of about three quarters German Roller and one quarter Border canary. This combination produces birds with superior song qualities possessing a sweet song with lots of variety.

Spanish Timbrados were redeveloped in Spain in the 1940’s. In 1954 the Association of Spanish Canary breeders was born and they named their breed Spanish Timbrados. Timbrados have gained popularity in the United States in recent years.

Russian Canaries are fairly new to the United States. They are considered to have amazing abilities to memorize song.

Song Canary Clubs and Organizations

American Singer Club,
The National Organization for the American Singer Canary. Currently the club has many chapters throughout the United States and one in Canada.

Northwest Roller Canary Club,
Dedicated to the care, breeding, and contesting of the Roller Canary.

Western Roller Canary Association,
The most recent organization devoted exclusively to the Roller Canary.

Southern California Roller Canary Club,
Holds the largest song contest and show exclusively for the Roller Canary.

Western Waterslager Club,
WWC publishes a quarterly newsletter. Has an annual show and
sells quality bands, books and a waterslager CD.

American Waterslager Society,
The American Waterslager Society (AWS), is an International body of song canary fanciers, founded in 1991.

American Association of Spanish Timbrados Breeders,
Dedicated to the breeding and exhibiting of the Spanish Timbrado.