Q ) This is a very common question: If I put this pair of canaries together, what color will the chicks be?
This is a question posted online many times: what to expect (variegation) from
pairing two birds... such as clear, self or variegated. This is a
fairly basic subject.... without definite answers if the birds are not
of your own breeding. The grandparent birds' appearances do influence
future generations. So, these basic guidelines are simply a starting
point in guessing what the offspring will look like.
However, these guidelines are a good place to start! They are quotes from several of the best books there are! The photos below are from The Practical Canary Handbook: A Guide To Breeding & Keeping Canaries by Marie Miley-Russell and Canaries and Related Birds by
Horst Bielfeld. These books also cover other aspects of pairing two
birds, such as color, feather type/quality, and other traits.
| TOPIC | BOOK QUOTE |
|---|---|
| types of variegation ➞ |  |
| predicted variegation in chicks ➞ |  |
| predicted variegation and color in chicks ➟ |  |
Please LEARN all you can about canaries!
Please purchase and read at least one really good canary book.
- Canaries and Related Birds
By Horst Bielfeld
Feeding and housing of canaries in the European tradition, but is good, solid information.
Good, detailed descriptions and breeding tips of a complete list of breeds, colors, and types! Includes many helpful photos of good examples of breed/color standards... photos as simple as comparing hard/soft feather birds, and as advanced as comparing subtle differences in breed standards! - Coloured, Type and Song Canaries:
A Complete Guide to Keeping, Breeding and Showing
by G.B.R. Walker and Dennis Avon
Descriptions of the various breeds, types and colors of canaries, as well as notes on standards for showing, guidelines for breeding and examples of care/feeding of canaries. You will find answers to most of your questions in this book. The practical aspects of the genetics of breeding explained. Contains only basic explanations of showing. Some new color mutations are not included. - The Practical Canary Handbook: A Guide To Breeding & Keeping Canaries
by Marie Miley-Russell
Covering many subjects, this book describes the methods and the practices of an experienced breeder. Read this from cover to cover, and you will learn the important principles of successfully breeding canaries! One of the best! NO PHOTOS!! No discussion of color breeding.
Good Canary Books.
