The American Singer Canary
The Perfect Home Singer - Beautiful and a Master Musician As Well!
Jun 29, 2009
While all canaries sing, there are some breeds that have been developed to sing especially melodious and lovely songs. These breeds are referred to as “song bred canaries”. The American Singer canary is the most popular of the major song breeds in the United States and is gaining increasing popularity in Canada as well.
The Origins of the Breed
American Singers were originally developed by a group of American canary breeders who were dissatisfied with the predominant song bred canary of the time, which was the German Roller. Often referred to as the “Master Singer”, the German Roller canary was imported by the thousands from Germany to the United States prior to World War II.
Unfortunately, the Roller’s song volume can be quite soft, making it difficult for those with imperfect hearing or noisy households. Rollers also tend to be a little shy and do not always possess a great deal of freedom. (Freedom is a willingness to offer song often and fearlessly, undeterred by activity in the household or the presence of strangers.) There were other kinds of singers available as well at that time. Those canaries that are bred for color or type have songs referred to as “chopper” songs. While these songs are freely offered, they can be harsh, repetitive, and sung at a very loud volume. Neither type of singer was the perfect home singer that folks were seeking.
After a great deal of research and discussion, the breeders in Massachusetts determined that the best way to achieve “the perfect home singer”, i.e. a bird that sang freely, melodiously, with no unpleasant or shrill notes, and at a medium volume, was to cross the German Roller canary with the Border, a canary bred for its conformation (body shape and feathering). This would produce a wonderful singer that was also a beauty to behold, making it the ideal pet canary. More information on “The Plan”, the five year program for crossing Rollers to Border canaries to create a unique strain of American Singers, can be found on the website of the national American Singers Club, Inc.
The Song of the American Singer
Today the American Singer is bred extensively in the United States and Canada with several dozen exhibitions held each fall throughout both countries. The birds are judged primarily for song, but are also critiqued for conformation and condition.
The most important element of an American Singer’s song is freedom. The bird must be willing to offer his song freely and without reservation. If interrupted or startled, he must recover and begin singing again very quickly. Another very important part of the song is melodiousness. The bird’s song must not contain any harsh, shrill, or unharmonious notes. It must flow smoothly and logically throughout its length. Additionally, American Singers should be able to sing in both high and low ranges and offer a wide variety of notes to prevent the song from becoming repetitious.
American Singers are not restricted in terms of what kinds of notes they can sing so long as those notes are melodic and fit into the song in a harmonious manner.
Purchasing an American Singer Canary
More than 10,000 registered American Singers are bred each year and many of these are sold to pet homes. Locating a breeder is easy- simply visit the American Singers Club breeder referral list on the club’s website.
Please note that not all canaries that are called American Singers are truly purebred- to ensure that what you are buying is really an American Singer, insist on buying a bird that has been banded with an American Singers Club leg band. The band will have the letters “ASC” imprinted on it along with the year the bird was hatched and a letter and number for identification purposes. Breeders must belong to the national American Singers Club to purchase these bands.
Few breeders will have birds available in the spring or summer months as the birds are either breeding or molting. The best time of year to buy birds is in the fall, when the year’s young birds have matured and are singing well. If you are able to wait to purchase a bird, many breeders maintain waiting lists and will contact buyers when the birds are ready.
American Singers in the Home
American Singers really are the perfect pet canaries – they are bright, beautiful, and active birds that sing often, beautifully, and at a volume that is neither too soft nor too loud. Their presence brightens any home and their relative easy care requirements ensure that most households will have little difficulty keeping one.
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