The yellow-crowned canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in eastern Africa. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Cape canary.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs mainly in the highlands of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, and northern Tanzania. It favors open montane habitats such as grasslands, heaths, scrubby slopes, and forest edges, and readily uses cultivated fields and gardens. Birds forage both on the ground and in low vegetation, often along paths, clearings, and hedgerows. It tolerates human-modified landscapes where suitable seed plants are available.
Altitude Range
1000–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The yellow-crowned canary is a small finch of eastern Africa’s highlands, recognizable by its bright yellow crown and lively, twittering song. It was formerly lumped with the Cape canary but is now treated as a separate species. Outside the breeding season it often forms small, busy flocks that move between grasslands, scrub, and gardens.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with an undulating path
Social Behavior
Often in small flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other seedeaters. Pairs form in the breeding season, and the female builds a neat cup nest in a shrub or small tree. Breeding is typically timed to local rainfall and seed availability.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A bright, cheerful series of trills, twitters, and tinkling notes delivered from exposed perches or in song flight. Calls are soft twits and tinkling chips that keep flocks in contact.
Plumage
Compact finch with a bright yellow crown and underparts, olive to greenish-olive upperparts with fine darker streaking, and a cleaner grayish nape and face. Wings and tail are brownish with subtle pale edges. Females and immatures are duller with more streaking below.
Diet
Primarily seeds of grasses, weeds, and herbs, supplemented by buds and flower parts. It will also take small insects, especially when feeding nestlings. Occasional fruit or soft plant material may be consumed when available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on the ground and in low seed heads along paths, field margins, and open scrub. Frequently visits cultivated areas and gardens where seeding plants are abundant.
