Pet Wiki

Lizard Canary

Serinus canaria domestica

Also called Lizard

Rare breedShort profile

From England, probably brought from France by Huguenot refugees; spangled canaries recorded by 1742 and first named Lizards in 182512

At a glance the quick version

Lifespan7 to 15 years2
Sizesmall

General figure for domestic canaries (7-12 or 10-15 years with good care); no breed-specific figure found.

Unique scaly spangled pattern
Oldest surviving canary breed
Rich golden-bronze or silvery tones
132

Looks how to spot one

feathers

A pattern canary whose back is covered in neat rows of dark crescent-shaped spangles and whose breast carries dark lines called rowings, giving a scaly, reptile-like look. The top of the head carries a patch of clear feathers called the cap. After the first moult the dark flight feathers gain paler, greyish tips.132

ColoursGold (yellow ground)Silver (buff ground)Clear capBroken capNon-cap3

Personality what they are like

A pattern canary valued for its markings rather than song or shape; it is kept and shown much like other canaries.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Needs space to fly between perches like other canaries.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Preens and bathes itself. Exhibition birds in Britain are colour fed to deepen their golden bronze or warm buff tones.32

Home where they are happiest

Canaries exercise by flying, so choose a cage that is long and wide enough for short flights between perches, or an aviary. Place it away from draughts, windows and strong direct sun, and clean the floor of the cage regularly.2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A canary seed mix with greens, fruit and vegetables.4

Company who they like around

Can share an aviary with other canaries outside the breeding season.2

The story where it all began

The Lizard is the oldest canary breed still kept, largely unchanged since the 1700s, and it was first shown in London in the 1790s. After the Second World War only a few hundred birds were left, and the Lizard Canary Association was set up in 1945 to save it. Today more Lizards are kept and shown than at any earlier time.132

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    An 1825 description compared its spangled back and breast to the small creeping lizard, which gave the breed its name.1

  2. 2

    In 1945 the whole world population was thought to be no more than about 200-250 birds.3

  3. 3

    It was first illustrated in the London Illustrated News on 12 December 1846 and looks much the same today.1

  4. 4

    Birds are grouped by cap type: clear cap, broken cap and non-cap.3

Recognised by the official bits

Lizard Canary Association (Great Britain)
Founded in 1945 to protect and promote the breed3

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Lizard Canary. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Budgie Seed Bells

A fun homemade treat that mimics shop-bought seed bells, giving budgies a foraging activity and a tasty reward.

You need

  • 150g bird seed mix
  • 2 egg whites
  • Rapeseed oil
  • Greaseproof paper
  • Small terracotta pots
  • 20cm lengths of wire

How

  1. Beat the egg whites until frothy.
  2. Mix the frothy egg whites with the bird seed mix.
  3. Grease the greaseproof paper with a little rapeseed oil and line the insides of the terracotta pots.
  4. Fill the pots with the seed mixture.
  5. Insert both ends of a 20cm wire through the drainage hole in the base of the pot, so a loop of wire sits inside the mixture.
  6. Bake the pots in a cool oven at 80-90°C (175-200°F) for 90 minutes, checking after the first hour to ensure the mixture has set.
  7. Allow to cool completely, then gently remove the seed bells from the pots and peel away the paper.
  8. Hang from the cage roof by looping the wire ends through and around the bars, ensuring no sharp ends are accessible.

How much: Offer one seed bell occasionally as a treat, not as a daily food.

Recipe from Omlet UK

Budgie Cookie Treats

A nutritious, homemade biscuit that provides variety and enrichment, using safe ingredients like vegetables and seeds.

You need

  • 3 tbsp chopped vegetables and greens (e.g., carrot tops, kale)
  • 100g wholemeal flour
  • 100g maize flour (cornmeal)
  • 60g crushed budgie pellets OR ground mixed seeds and grains
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 1 dried fig, finely chopped
  • 60g mixed seeds, whole
  • 150ml water

How

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  2. Mix all the ingredients together to form a stiff dough. Add a little more water if too dry, or more flour if too wet.
  3. Roll the dough into small balls in the palm of your hand.
  4. Place the balls on a floured baking tray and flatten each until 1cm thick.
  5. Prick the biscuits all over with a toothpick.
  6. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes.
  7. Allow to cool completely before serving.

How much: Offer one small cookie as an occasional treat, not a daily food.

Recipe from Omlet UK

Fresh Greens for Canaries and Finches

A simple, healthy treat that adds essential vitamins and moisture to the diet, mimicking natural foraging.

You need

  • Small pieces of fresh, washed greens (e.g., parsley, carrot tops, kale, red leaf lettuce, endive, dandelion, chickweed, or groundsel)

How

  1. Wash the greens thoroughly to remove any pesticides or dirt.
  2. Cut into small, bird-sized pieces (about thumbnail size for a canary or finch).
  3. Offer a small portion in a clean dish or clipped to the cage bars.
  4. Remove any uneaten greens after a few hours to prevent spoilage.

How much: Offer a small portion several times a week as a treat, making up about 20-25% of the daily diet.

Recipe from VCA Animal Hospitals

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Lizard Canary?

Provide fresh food and water daily. Furry Diary's starting plan is to offer fresh food and water every day. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.4 Pet Wiki plan

What does a Lizard Canary eat, and what should it never eat?

A Lizard Canary eats a canary seed mix with greens, fruit and vegetables. Never give it avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or salty foods; ask your vet for a full list of unsafe items.4

How much space does a Lizard Canary need?

It needs a cage that is long and wide enough for short flights between perches, or an aviary. Space to fly is essential for exercise.2

What temperature, light or water does a Lizard Canary need?

Place the cage away from draughts, windows and strong direct sun. Provide fresh water daily. Specific temperature and light needs vary; ask your vet or a good breeder.2

How often should I clean a Lizard Canary's home?

Furry Diary's starting plan suggests changing the cage liner every 2 days and doing a full clean every 7 days. Regular cleaning keeps your canary healthy. Pet Wiki plan

Can a Lizard Canary live with others?

Yes, it can share an aviary with other canaries outside the breeding season. Monitor them for any signs of aggression.2

How long does a Lizard Canary live?

A Lizard Canary typically lives between 7 and 15 years. Good care and regular vet check-ups help it reach a long, happy life.2

Can I handle a Lizard Canary?

Handling varies by individual bird; some may be tame, others less so. If your canary is tame, Furry Diary suggests about an hour of out-of-cage time daily. Always be gentle and patient. Pet Wiki plan

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

  1. Lizard Origins - The Lizard Canary Association lizardcanaryassociation.comused for origin, age, naming, 1846 illustration
  2. Domestic canary - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for pattern description, history, general care, lifespan
  3. Lizard History by John Scott - The Lizard Canary Association lizardcanaryassociation.comused for association founding, 1945 population, caps, gold/silver, moult
  4. A Beginner's Guide to Fife Canaries - Fife Canary Council fifecanarycouncil.comused for general canary diet

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.