Spanish Timbrado Trainer

The Spanish Timbrado Canary is the newest breed of song canary, developed in Spain in the 1940's and 1950's. It is also considered to be the purest domestic form of canary. Being closest genetically to the original wild canary as it was developed by crossing the wild canary with the song bird of Spain. This combination resulted in a bird with a very unique song. The name, like its song, suggests the chattering of Spanish castanets, Although loud, their songs are not grating or harsh. They consist of many quick successions and combinations of notes. A good Spanish Timbrado has a bright cheery song and is very pleasant to listen.

This bird can make a wonderful companion to be enjoyed for its song as well as its beautiful appearance. They are developed with all sorts of colors along with a variety of clear, metallic tones to their songs. They are steadily growing in popularity.

The Spanish Timbrado is classed as one of several well known "song canaries", bred for song rather than physical appearance or color. Shows for these birds are of a different nature than shows for other canary types. Basically being entered into singing contests these canaries are bred with the goal of achieving winners with the best balance between quality and variety of song. Each breed has a distinctive song and a well-defined song standard. Some of the other well know song canaries include: the Roller Canary, the American Singer Canary, the Russian Singer Canary, and the Waterslager Canary.

Scientific Name:
Serinus canaria domesticus

Distribution:
One of the newest breeds, the Spanish Timbrado Canary began to be bred by an organized breeders' association in the 1940's and 1950's in Spain. Being bred for a very loud very clear metallic sound with bell tones, the most common meaning of the name 'timbrado' is the ringing of an old-fashioned doorbell. The first rules of standard for this bird were established in about 1963, but have been updated at least three times since then.

Description:
Though the Spanish Timbrado Canary is classified as a "song canary", it is also bred for appearance which can vary widely depending on where an individual bird is from. Most Timbrados will reach a length of just over 5 inches (12.7 cm). As they are judged in shows for their appearance as well as their song, they need to be compact and robust looking, the chest must be wide, and the feet very short. The feathers need to be tight and the tail v-shaped but not too long.
Their coloring is often closer to that of the wild canary, being greenish, but they are also found in yellow, white, cinnamon, and variegated. There can be no frilling or red coloring in its plumage.

The song of this canary is most important. The song of the Spanish Timbrado Canary consists of twelve notes. They must be loud, metallic, bright, and harmonious. Negatives in the song are screeches, strained sounds, and nasal sounds. Standards for three types of songs have been established; the original known as 'Classical' line, the 'Floreado line', and the 'Intermediate' line which falls between the other two.
Canaries of both sexes can begin to sing a weak song as early as four weeks, but females usually don't sing after about six months and won't have the full long song of a male.