Serinus canaria domestica, often simply known as the canary, is a domesticated form of Serinus canaria that lives free in the wild in the biogeographic region of Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands). Canaries have been bred in captivity since the 12th century, becoming all the rage in the Spanish and English courts in the 1600s. However, they spread throughout Europe only following the systematic breeding carried out in Italy which drastically reduced their purchase costs.

The Domestic Canaries are subdivided, effectively creating real subspecies in Canaries by shape and position, Canaries by color and Canaries by song.

The daily administration of the food must correspond to the average quantity consumed in 24 hours, taking care to clean and wash the feed trough before each administration. This hygienic-sanitary practice must also be extended to the drinking trough, guaranteeing fresh and clean water always available.

In addition to singing and company, at least until 1986 canaries were regularly used in coal mines, as a primitive alarm system. The presence of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, would have killed the canaries before having any effect on the miners. Since canaries tend to sing most of the time, they provided a visible and audible signal for this purpose.