Canarini Gantesi (Cicli-Lancashire.it)-FSS

Dietzsch & Wirsing 1772-77 plate 18 yellow canary-FSS

Bolton canary Harmonia Ruralis (eB prantique-it)-FSS

The Old Varieties, Part 2: the origins of the Belgian canary

Posted on 18/01/202630/12/2025 by Huw Evans Leave a comment

My history of the Belgian canary in Belgium will depart from convention and look at it in reverse order, working my way back from the end of the nineteenth century to its origins in the eighteenth. Why? Because I think it gets more interesting. My starting point is the illustration at the head of this […]... Read More

Market Place Nottm ca 1836 (Welland Antiques)-FSS

Het Handelsblad De Arend show 200 birds 1858.01.30-FSS

De Roode Poort Collectie Archief Gent-FSS

Neuhuys Départ de la Flèche le 5 mai 1835 Wikimedia (BrightRaven0-FSS

Het Zand, St. Jansvliet Antwerp after 1882 (pinterest-Tony)-FI

22 Kleine Turkeije in 2024 (GMaps)-FSS (2)

The Old Varieties, Part 1: canary societies in Belgium

Posted on 04/01/202628/12/2025 by Huw Evans Leave a comment

The history of the canary fancy in Great Britain has been shaped by many people, mostly authors, organisers and famous breeders, yet the man who instigated the biggest advance of all is barely known. He was Mr John Varley, a Nottingham surgeon, whose innovations transformed the avian exhibition world in the mid 1800s. He introduced […]... Read More

Old Varieties, Blaauwe Jan poster 1752-FI

The Old Varieties: an introduction

Posted on 28/12/2025 by Huw Evans 6 Comments

While the primary focus of this blog is the London Fancy and the Lizard canary, my research often overlaps with the history of other varieties that became established during the 19th century. They are the canary breeds that we now call the ‘old varieties’. The problem with this description is there is no widely accepted […]... Read More

Antwerp 2025-Best silver non cap (RW)-FSS

Lizard Canaries at the Antwerp Posture Canary Club show 2025

Posted on 21/11/2025 by Huw Evans 4 Comments

This show report has been prepared by my guest contributor and Lizard canary judge, Andy Williamson: Friday, October 31st 2025, saw me re-living a dream I thought 4/5 years ago I’d never do again. As many know I had a serious health issue and had to give up my birds. Friends both in the UK […]... Read More

Lizards a-go-go: the Amigos show 2025

Posted on 18/11/2025 by Huw Evans 5 Comments

I’ve been to bird shows in all sorts of venues: great exhibition centres, sports halls, village halls, pubs and marquees, but the Club Amigos del Canario Lizard show was the first time I’ve ever seen canaries exhibited at a dance hall. The 2025 edition was held at an hotel complex in La Carlota near […]... Read More

National 2025 BIS u/f mealy cock Gary Cook-FSS

National 2025 Best White Best O/Y LF-FSS

The London Fancies at the National Exhibition 2025

Posted on 15/10/2025 by Huw Evans 2 Comments

Show report courtesy of Andy Early, Secretary of the London Fancy Canary Club: A last minute change of heart by Gary Cook had a big impact on the London Fancy section at the 2025 National Exhibition. He sent a WhatsApp message to me on the Thursday before the show asking if he could bring four […]... Read More

National 2025-BIS NCGH Carlos de Santa Ana-FSS

National 2025 2nd Best Lizard, Best Nov, Colin Whitehead-FSS

National 2025 Colin Whitehead, Best Nov, 2nd Best Lizard-FSS

National 2025 3rd Best Lizard, Ray Anthony-FSS

National 2025 Best Natural, Andy Williamson-FSS

National 2025 Carlos de Santa Ana Best canary-FI

Lizard canaries at the 2025 National Exhibition

Posted on 12/10/202512/10/2025 by Huw Evans Leave a comment

This was my first visit to the National since 2022; a welcome opportunity to assess the 2025 crop of Lizard canaries. I was struck by the evenness of the overall standard, novices included, and there were several causes for optimism. 103 Lizards had been entered, an excellent number for such an early show. More importantly, […]... Read More

fine spangled sort

The London Fancy and the Lizard canary