Gloster Canary: Bird Species Profile

Gloster canaries are small birds that are bred for their shape instead of their colors or song. Their care is like that of other canaries, and they make popular pets for small spaces or for those not keen on the louder pet bird species.

Knowing more about this specific type of canary can help you provide them with the best care possible.

Origin and History

These birds were named after the Canary Islands in which they were first discovered and were popularized as pets due to their beautiful singing abilities.

Originating from Gloucestershire, England, but not found in the wild, the gloster canary is a specific type of domestic canary that was originally bred from various other canaries in the early 1920s.

By 1960, the birds were brought to the United States and breeding and showing grew over the next decade. Then, in 1976, a gloster canary won best in show solidifying its popularity among canary lovers.

Now it is not unusual to see about 200 gloster canaries competing in a single show.

Temperament

Canaries are lively little birds but aren't designed to be handled, even though they aren't prone to biting. Although they are an active species, they are delicate and are best left to watch and listen to. They love playing with small bird toys like bells and bird pacifiers and will entertain for hours.

Speech and Vocalizations

Canaries are primarily known for their singing. Other birds will scream, make chirps, beeps, squawks, and other noises, but the gloster canary has a beautiful song that is more like a whistle.

It is important to note that females do not typically sing, so you'll want to get a male gloster canary over six months of age if you want to enjoy their vocalizations.

Gloster Canary Colors and Markings

There are two types of Gloster canaries - coronas and consorts. Corona gloster canaries have a flat, bowl-cut appearance to the feathers on the top of their heads, while consort gloster canaries don't have this unique and eye-catching crest.

These birds can come in combinations of yellow, brown, white, frost, cinnamon, grey, and green due to the variations in breeding.

Caring for the Gloster Canary

Like other pet birds, gloster canaries are a social species, so they will want attention and stimulation from their owner.

A lonely gloster canary will not thrive, nor will one that is kept in too small of an enclosure, but these birds can become territorial if housed with other canaries so it is best to keep them separated.

Ideally, a canary's cage will allow them to fly and hop around from perch to perch, contain a nest, water dish, bathing bowl, food dish, and toys.

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Common Health Problems

Gloster canaries should be kept away from drafts and any drastic temperature changes to avoid developing respiratory issues.

Aside from that, they can be prone to air sac, feather and red mites. Scaly face can also be a problem, and if they are housed outdoors, canarypox can be transmitted through mosquitoes.

Diet and Nutrition

A high-quality, pelleted canary diet is best for gloster canaries since seeds do not offer a complete and balanced meal on their own.

Fruits, vegetables, and millet should be provided in addition to the base diet, especially if seeds are fed.

Exercise

An aviary allows a canary to safely exercise and fly, but if a large enclosure like this is not available, some flight indoors in a safe environment should be allowed.

At the very least, a canary should be housed in a cage that is large enough to allow some flight yet still has small bar spacing. Plenty of perches of varying diameters along with toys should be provided.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Gloster Canary

Gloster canaries are fairly long-lived so they may be found at bird rescues. Otherwise, since they are a very specific type of canary, a canary breeder is often your best bet for obtaining one.

The occasional bird store may have glosters, but more common canary types are more likely to be seen.

More Pet Bird Species and Further Research

If you’re interested in similar species, check out:

• Zebra Finch (Chestnut-eared Finch)
• Lovebird (Pocket Parrot)