Northern Dutch Frilled Canary
Birds in Focus...
The Northern Dutch canary is a medium sized variety, just slightly smaller than the Border Canary. Though similar in appearance to the Parisian Frilled breed with the long swooping feather patterns, the frilled feathers on the Northern Dutch Canary are less dense, have smaller curls, and are more of a band just around the middle of the bird rather than all over.
The Northern Dutch Canary is a "type canary", bred for physical appearance rather than color or song. It is very pretty, nicely proportioned, hardy and vigorous. Frilled canaries do however, tend to be a little more high strung and nervous than other canary breeds.
There are many different varieties of Frilled canaries including: French Frill, Fiorina Frill, Colored (Milanese) Frill, Gibber Italicus, Giboso Espanol, Japanese Frill, Parisian Frill, Southern Dutch Frill, Munich Frill, Scotch Fancy Frill, Swiss Frill, Roebekian Frill, Hunchback Frill, Brazilian Frill, and even crested varieties such as the Padovan Frill and the Florin Frill.
Frilled canaries have been around for a very long time. Though not much is known about the frilled mutation, it is generally agreed that the first frill was the Dutch Frill dating back to the 18th century, originating from the old Dutch Fancy Canary. Developments in different parts of the continent then resulted in several distinct breeds. Some of the frilled varieties seen today are newer, developed in more recent years in Italy.
The Northern Dutch Frilled Canary is a medium sized, nicely appointed, attractive canary. They reach a length of about 6 1/2 to 6 3/4 inches (16.5 to 17 cm), just slightly smaller than the Border Canary.
The primary feature of all frilled canaries are three distinct patterns of curled feathers. These consist of the mantle, the jabot, and the fins. The mantle feathers are on the back, they part down the center and curl symmetrically over the shoulders forming what looks like a cape. The jabot are wavy undulating feathers coming from each side of the breast, curling inward to form a ruffle that meets in the middle. The fins come from the thighs, long well-frilled feathers that rise upward around the wings. The main focus of the frills is on symmetry rather than volume. Though they should be full, they also need to be crisp and defined.
The frilling for the Northern Dutch is primarily around the middle of the canary and should be nicely balanced and symmetrical. The head, neck, belly and thighs are smooth with no frilling similar to regular canaries. They have a normal canary stance, but do not stand quite as erect as the Southern Dutch Frilled variety.
Coloration in frilled canaries is of little importance. They may be buff, green, clear, ticked, or variegated and occasionally a few dominant whites. Yellow is usually more rare except in the the case of the Gibber Italicus.
To show well, being steady and holding themselves up well before a judge, frilled canaries do need a certain amount training.
Frilled canaries are not usually difficult to breed with some strains being quite vigorous and free breeding. The challenge is in developing them to the exact standards of their type for showing. It is best to pair birds that conform most closely to the required breed standards, though even imperfect parents can still produce excellent young. Frilled Canaries don't need to be color fed and even though they have feathering that is longer than any other type of canary, they appear to be free from feather cysts. As with most canaries, there can occasionally be individuals with a tendency to be poor feeders.
Availability of Frilled Canaries is variable. The Parisian and the Dutch are the most common frilled canary breeds available in the United States. Frilled varieties are most often available through breeders, but may also occasionally be found through bird shows, bird clubs, and on the internet.
Author: Clarice Brough, CAS
Additional Information: Denise Taormina
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/canaries/NorthernDutchFrillCanary.php