At a glance the quick version
About 4.5 in; small size is a key aim of the breed.
General figure for domestic canaries (7-12 or 10-15 years with good care); no breed-specific figure found.
Looks how to spot one
feathers
A small, cobby type canary with a rounded body. It comes in two partner forms: the Corona, which wears a neat, round crest like a little cap of feathers, and the Consort, which has a smooth head with a slightly heavy brow. The two are normally paired together.12
Personality what they are like
Glosters were bred for looks rather than song, and are kept as a calm, easy type canary that is shown in pairs of crested and plain-headed birds.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Like other canaries it exercises by flying, so it needs space to fly between perches.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keeps itself tidy by preening and bathing. Canaries enjoy toys such as swings, ladders and bells for stimulation.2
Home where they are happiest
Canaries exercise by flying, so choose a cage that is long and wide enough for short flights between perches, or an aviary. Place it away from draughts, windows and strong direct sun, and clean the floor of the cage regularly.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A canary seed mix as the base, with greens, fruit and vegetables added.3
Company who they like around
Canaries can share an aviary outside the breeding season; for breeding, Coronas are paired with Consorts.21
The story where it all began
Mrs Rogerson of Gloucestershire set out after the First World War to create a miniature crested canary, crossing small crested Rollers with tiny Border canaries. Her birds were first shown at the 1925 London National Show, and the name Gloster was suggested by the writer A. W. Smith after her home county.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The crested Corona became especially fashionable in the 1960s because its round crest looked like the Beatles' haircut.2
- 2
At its public debut at the 1925 London National Show, Mrs Rogerson's birds took both first and second prize in their class.1
- 3
The crested form is called the Corona and its plain-headed partner the Consort.1
- 4
The breed's founder believed that small things are beautiful, which is why Glosters are bred to be tiny.1
Recognised by the official bits
- International Gloster Breeders Association
- Breed specialist association founded in 19661
- Gloster Fancy Canary Club
- Founded in 1932 in Cheltenham1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Gloster Canary. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Cage linerevery 2 days
- Full cleanevery week
- Bath offerA shallow dish or gentle mistevery 3 days
- Nails checkevery month
- Toy rotationevery 2 weeks
- Out-of-cage timeAbout an hour a day, if tameevery day
- Vet check-upevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Origins of the Gloster Canary - International Gloster Breeders Association igba.co.ukused for origin, history, clubs, fun facts
- Domestic canary - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for size, 1960s fashion, general care, lifespan
- A Beginner's Guide to Fife Canaries - Fife Canary Council fifecanarycouncil.comused for general canary diet
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.