Explanation of Canary Terms
As I have time, I will add definitions and examples of some of the terms used in the Canary World. These are very basic explanations, and not inclusive or technical.
There are many very good books that go into more detail and include photo examples.
Never underestimate the value of a book! You are encouraged to read more than one.
Ground Color
Ground color refers to the visible, and invisible, color of a bird.
- Yellow
- White
- Red (often Red Factor)
Melanin Color
Melanin means the dark pigment in a bird's feathers.
Melanin means the dark pigment in a bird's feathers.
- Black (where each feather has both black and brown)
- Brown (also known as cinnamon, and includes both black and brown, in different proportions)
A black canary covered with yellow 'ground' is GREEN.
A brown canary covered with yellow 'ground' is called CINNAMON ( or brown).
A black canary covered with red 'ground' is called BRONZE (also copper, red-black, etc.)
A brown canary covered with red 'ground' is called Red-Brown.
A black canary on a white ground bird is called SLATE, or BLUE (also grey).
A brown canary on a white ground bird is called FAWN.
VARIEGATION
CLEAR is a bird lacking in melanin .... no dark feathers, showing only ground color.
TICKED means a light colored bird has only a small spot of melanin.
VARIEGATED is a bird with both dark feathers and light feathers.
A heavily variegated bird has more dark feathers than light and a lightly variegated bird has more light feathers than dark.
SELF describes a bird that has no light feathers, only dark melanin feathers.
FOUL means a dark colored bird with only a small spot of clear feathers.
FOUL means a dark colored bird with only a small spot of clear feathers.
There are various shades and combinations of the above colors and melanins. There are also various pastel, patterned, feather types... The various combinations are endless! :)
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| Left: SELF red... Bronze RIGHT: Variegated red |
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| Two Variegated Red |
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| Left: Self red -- Bronze Right: Clear red |
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| Top Left: Variegated red -Note the light wing feather. and clear red, variegated red, and bronze red |
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| Clear Yellow |
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| Variegated Yellow |
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| Left to right: variegated, clear, and darkly variegated |
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| Variegated Yellow |
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| Green |
Here are some White birds:
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| Self White - Blue |
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| Variegated White |
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| Heavily variegated white |
