Black-headed canary (Serinus alario)

[isobea]

w.l. - I finally had time to search for your 'Sunda serins'. Is their Latin name Serinus estherae? Found a few Youtube videos of them singing - very pretty. - Too bad you can't keep European goldfinches. I kept and bred them for well over 20 years and I still miss them and their song.
I am tempted to go up to the big bird mart in Pomona tomorrow as Frank might be there (and hopefully bring a few of his Damara canaries). I haven't seen them in person yet and would love to hear their song. BUT it's a 1 1/2 hour drive going north on three different freeways under the best of circumstances and they are predicting a big rainstorm coming in tomorrow morning making the return drive for all the Thanksgiving travelers in this area quite treacherous. Bad timing. Maybe I'll have better luck at the spring mart.
Iso

[lovezebs]

isobea

Did you get the Canaries Iso?

[isobea]

lovezebs - No Elana, too risky until I can be reasonably sure we don't have canary pox in our area anymore. Will have to wait until early next summer and then re-assess.
Iso

[isobea]

Hi everyone, I found two nice videos of Alario males singing. Thought I might as well post the links for anybody who is interested.
Iso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9zpet5rnTI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoLb_YDnF18

[lovezebs]

isobea

Hi Iso,

Thanks for sharing those. They do have a cute chatty kind of song (makes me think of a Spring morning for some reason).

Have you ever heared some of the Russian Canaries flute singing? For some reason couldn't post the link to those videos, but check it out, it is quite amazing.

[isobea]

lovezebs - Oh Elana, you are an enabler! Ihad heard of Russian canaries but had never listened to them before. I just watched several youtube videos and love their song. Now if I could just figure out how to add one of these guys to my aviary without causing conflict with my old male canary (American singer).
Between you, who tempts me again and a again, and w.l. who encourages me to splurge by buying a pair of Alarios or Damaras, I'm in deep, deep trouble...
Iso

[w.l.]

I'd definitely choose those imported African birds over domesticated canaries any time.

[lovezebs]

isobea

I have never heared them before yesterday, when I happened to come across one video, and then kept finding more of them.

They are absolutely astounding. I wonder if they start off singing like that, or if they are trained somehow.

I have to admit, that I wouldn't mind one of those boys singing in my house, so I'm not just tempting you my friend, I am tempting myself as well .

[isobea]

lovezebs - Elana, I promptly went looking for some available in California (just in case I can have two males in my aviary...) and found two ads for young birds that came with training CDs/tapes. So I believe they have to be exposed to excellent singers while young to learn the proper way of singing. I know that is common practice for many other kinds of 'song canaries'. In Germany I always had color bred canaries like red & black, opal, etc. Here I've had American singers but my males were adults when bought and then their sons learned from them. To tell you the truth, I never really thought much about it before now.
I also checked the agenda for the bird club I belong to and on January 7 our speaker will be the president of the SD canary club. How is that for timing? I'll be able to ask all the questions I want.
Iso

[Nerine]

After listening to a number of video clips, I'm also being tempted lol!

Does anyone know what the price range is for these guys; there are none currently for sale in my area.

[isobea]

w.l. - You said you would choose either one of those Alarios over a canary. That would be my first choice, too.
Do you want to make a deal? I'll order one pair (Alarios or Damaras, your choice) and they'll send the bill to you.
Iso

[w.l.]

Are actually both species available?
I'd prefer Alarios over Damarras.

[isobea]

w.l. - Yes, they are. The Alarios from The Finch Farm in Washington state ($560 a pair minus 25% if ordered by midnight tomorrow, but $125 for shipping, I think). The Damaras are here in California about a 5 hour drive from here ($400 a pair).
So should I place an order?

[w.l.]

You know what?
Order a pair of both!

[isobea]

w.l. - Are you sure you want to spend that much money?
Iso