Canary song and calls

Birdsong and calls are often the easiest way to identify the Canary, especially when the bird is hidden in dense foliage. Below is what to listen for.

Song

The song is a complex, varied, and melodious series of trills, whistles, chirps, and warbles, often delivered from a prominent perch. It is highly musical and can be quite prolonged, with males singing to attract mates and defend territory. The song is a key characteristic that led to its domestication.

Calls

Common calls include a soft 'twee-twee-twee' or 'chip-chip' contact call, a sharper 'tsit' alarm call, and various chattering notes within flocks.

When they vocalize

Males sing most frequently during the breeding season (spring and early summer) to attract mates and establish territories. Calls are heard year-round, especially when foraging in flocks.

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