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History

THE ORIGIN OF THE CANARY

The different kinds of canary, known throughout Europe nowadays, come from wild canary that lives freely in the Canary Islands. Historical evidents prove that wild canaries were carried from the Canary Islands to Europe where they were bred and trained. Originally their colour was green which turned into the different shades of yellow that today's canaries have.


THE SINGING CANARIES

About 1600 singing canaries spread across Europe and in 1700 songbirds, by breeding, were introduced in Germany. The most known cities were Saxony, Brunswich, Hartz, Prussia, Bavaria, and Hanover. In 1860 Harzer canaries stood out for their melody. In about 1900 breeders succeeded stams, making certain choices and crossbreedings that cannot be compared to the today's Malinois. The exact year of this alternation is not known. However, it is said that it was in 1912. Harzer and Malinois are the main kinds of the singing canary. It is said that Malinois come from the big canary of Saxony. THe main feature of the Malinois are their voices that sound like flow of water (that is why they are called waterslager) and the slight bending of their bodies when they sing. Moreover their notes are alike the Nightingales' ones.

APPRECIATION

The first judges, who appreciated Malinois, appeared in 1935 in Holland. In 1940 canaries' breeding began in France. In 1950 the first competitions were held so the first judges joined in. The breeding of Malinois began in 1950 in Italy, where the first school of judges was established.

CONTESTANT CANARY'S CATEGORIES

Confederation Ornithologique Mondial (C.O.M.) recognises three main categories that can compete.
A: Signing
B: Colour
C: Type.