Atlantic Canary Serinus canaria (Linnaeus, 1758)

Description
The Canary is a small songbird, native to the Macaronesia area (Madeira, Azores and the Canary Islands). It is a bird easily identified by its bright yellow breast and brown back with greyish stripes. The female is distinguished from the male by being less colourful.

Distribution
This bird is generally distributed throughout the Archipelago of Madeira, being found on the islands of Madeira, the Desertas and Porto Santo, from the seashore to the upper altitudes.

Habitat
As this species is generally found throughout the archipelago, it does not have a well-defined habitat, but farm lands and areas with creeping or sparse vegetation are the most common.

Breeding
Canaries breed between February and March, then build their nests and lay from 4 to 6 eggs. The canary may lay eggs 5 to 6 times during the course of a year.

Curiosities
Canaries were once used in coal mining as a warning system. Due to their tendency to sing much of the time, they provided a good audible evidence for toxic gases releases, as it would die before affecting the miners.

Madeiran name: Canário
Madeira Archipelago resident breeder
Social: Flocks
Length: 11 – 13 cm
Status: Secure

Recommend Tours to watch this species:
Madeira full-day birdwatching tour
Madeira nature fauna & flora tour
Madeira half-day birdwatching tour