Frilled Canary
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The different varieties of frilled canaries originate from a mutation that occurred in the old Dutch breed of canary. At that time, they were known as "Dutch" canaries. During the nineteenth century, several distinct breeds occurred.
Frilled canaries have never been widely kept in the United States and are little known to the majority of fanciers. The Dutch Frill and Parisian Frill are most common in the U.S. Other frilled canaries are: Colored Frill, Japanese Frill, French Frill, Gibber Italicus, Giboso Espanol and Swiss Frill. Crested frills include the Florin and the Padovan.
Frilled canaries have swirled feathers on their back, chest and flanks. Other areas should be smooth. Dutch Frills measure up to 6 3/4 inches while the Parisian Frill measures up to 8 inches.
They are challenging to breed to the exact standards, as they must have a certain amount and placement of frilled feathers in order to exhibit them.
Southern Dutch Frill
The Southern Dutch Frill canary originated in Belgium apparently from crossing a Belgian Canary with a Frilled Canary. In addition to being a frilled breed, this canary is also a bird of position. It has two positions, one when at rest and the other, the typical show posture, when it draws itself up erect on stiffly braced legs with the head thrust forward, giving the bird the form of a figure seven.
Once a popular, readily available variety, this canary has now become rather scarce, and weakened by inbreeding.
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