We have seen many experts sex canaries, and have come to the conclusion
that the best proof that a canary is a hen occurs when she produces an
egg, and likewise, that her companion is a male, if the egg is fertile.
However, there are many other characteristics associated with the sex
differences of canaries.
For example, the cock canary:
1. Sings
2. Has a bolder eye and look about the head
3. When in breeding condition in the spring, has an elevated vent
which definitely protrudes like a wart.
The hen canary, by contrast,
1. Does not sing
2. Is not so bold about the eye and head
3. Has a flat, unelevated vent.
These characteristics are all subject to exceptions. We find good males
that do not sing, good hens that do sing; males of one strain having a
female appearance about the head when compared with hens of a heavy
strain of birds, and vice versa. There are also cases where the vent
areas of both male and female are very similar except when in breeding
condition.
Errors are most likely when a breeder sexes spring hatched canaries in
the fall. The breeder will separate the observed singers from the
non-singers, as male and female. Then he goes through the non-singers
for some indication in the appearance of the head or vent area, and
makes a further tentative separation. Such division can only be
moderately reliable, because only a few strongly sexed young males tend
to come into breeding condition early. An error of as much as 25% is not
unusual in fall sexing.
For your guidance a good indication of a young male canary is that he
sings with a noticeable swelling of the throat. From January and
February on through June the male in breeding condition will have a
noticeably raised vent as well as strong song. In pairing birds it may
be expected that any male in breeding condition will pair with any
female in breeding condition, providing there is not a very great
difference in size.
_Canary Accidents And Illnesses_
[Illustration: Frenchy]
With good food and care, and barring accident, there is no reason why a
healthy canary from healthy parents should live less than a normal span
of 12 to 14 years before old age causes a breakdown. The ailing singer
is not difficult to pick out. Usually the first sign is that he stops
singing. Whether the bird is cock or hen, a sudden change from its
normal sleek appearance and lively action bears immediate study.