Canaries

Canaries were mentioned as pets from 1796, including “Ode to a Canary” and “Elegiac Stomas on the untimely death of a young lady’s favorite canary bird.” (Waldock, 2014) Both canaries and finches seem to have been among the most popular pet birds for those of the less affluent classes during the Regency. (Kane, 2014)

When people hear the word “canary,” they probably think of a cheery, bright yellow birds. While this image is by no means inaccurate, canaries come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and shapes. Canaries continue to be very popular pets because they are very beautiful, and the males of the species sing lovely songs.