If you are a bird lover and you are thinking of owning a canary, you might want to know the legal implications of doing so in different countries. Canaries are small songbirds that belong to the finch family and are native to the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores.

They are popular pets because of their beautiful colors and melodious songs. However, before you buy or adopt a canary, you should be aware of the laws and regulations that apply to keeping and breeding these birds in your country of residence or travel.

We will explore some of the legal aspects of owning a canary in different countries, such as:

• The requirements for importing and exporting canaries across borders
• The permits and licenses needed to keep and breed canaries
• The restrictions and obligations regarding canary health and welfare
• The consequences of violating the laws and regulations on canary ownership

Importing and exporting canaries

If you want to bring your canary with you when you travel abroad or move to another country, you will need to comply with the import and export regulations of both the origin and destination countries. These regulations may vary depending on the type and number of birds, the purpose of the movement, the duration of the stay, and the health status of the birds.

Some countries may require you to obtain a certificate of origin, a health certificate, a veterinary inspection, a quarantine period, a microchip or a leg band identification, a CITES permit (if the bird is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), or other documents before you can import or export your canary. You may also need to pay fees or taxes for the customs clearance or veterinary services.

For example, if you want to import a canary into the UK from another EU country, you will need to obtain an EU pet passport for your bird, which includes a microchip or a leg band identification and a health certificate issued by an authorized veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

You will also need to notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at least 24 hours before your arrival. If you want to export a canary from the UK to another EU country, you will need to follow the same requirements as for importing, except that you will need to notify the APHA at least 24 hours before your departure.

If you want to import or export a canary between countries that are not part of the EU, you will need to check the specific requirements of each country on their official websites or contact their competent authorities.

For example, if you want to import a canary into Canada from a non-EU country, you will need to obtain an import permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), a health certificate from the country of origin, and a CITES permit if applicable. You will also need to present your bird for inspection at a designated port of entry and pay fees for the inspection and quarantine services.

Keeping and breeding canaries

If you want to keep or breed canaries in your home or premises, you will need to comply with the laws and regulations that apply to animal welfare, biosecurity, registration, identification, vaccination, disease control, breeding standards, and other aspects of canary husbandry.

These laws and regulations may vary depending on the country, state, province, municipality, or local authority where you live or operate.

Some countries may require you to obtain a permit or license from the relevant authority before you can keep or breed canaries.

You may also need to register your birds with a national or regional database or registry, such as an avian society or club. You may also need to provide adequate housing, food, water, hygiene,