Yellow-fronted Canary

Afrikaans name: Geeloogkanarie

The Yellow-fronted Canary was previously called the Yellow-eyed Canary

Photo © Steven Herbert

Serinus mozambicus

The Yellow-fronted Canary is a small bird that used to be known as the Yellow-eyed Canary.

It is only about 12 cm in length. Male and females are similar but males are more brightly coloured.

The Yellow-fronted Canary feeds mainly on seeds. It may come to gardens where seed is put out but, from my observations, it prefers eating on the ground than from a bird feeder.

It is a common bird in South Africa and is normally seen in small flocks. Its range extends through most of sub-Saharan Africa.

Photo © Steven Herbert

This Canary is unfortunately a popular bird in the cage bird industry and large numbers are sold for that purpose. In that industry it is known as the Green Singing Finch.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 326

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1959 - Page: 20

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 20

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 228

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Year Published: 1992 - Page: 119

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 273

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 83

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 77

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 226

Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Year Published: - Page: 153

Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 326

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1984 - Page: 436

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 2000 - Page: 436

Newman's Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 124

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 413

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Year Published: 1949 - Page: 366

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1975 - Page: 595

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 606

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1985 - Page: 775

Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 774

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 1993 - Page: 406

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 442

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 129

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 190

List of South African Birds