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.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	859	Serinus mozambicus mozambicus
2nd	859	Serinus mozambicus
3rd	859	Serinus mozambicus
4th	859	Serinus mozambicus
5th	869	Serinus mozambicus
6th	869	Serinus mozambicus
7th	934	Crithagra mozambica

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	859	Yellow-eye
2nd	859	Yellow-eye Canary
3rd	859	Yellow-eye Canary
4th	859	Yellow-eye Canary
5th	869	Yelloweyed Canary
6th	869	Yelloweyed Canary
7th	934	Yellow-fronted Canary

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	859	Geeloog-sysie
2nd	859	Geeloog-sysie
3rd	859	Geeloog-sysie
4th	859	Geeloog-sysie
5th	869	Geeloogkanarie
6th	869	Geeloogkanarie
7th	934	Geeloogkanarie

References and further reading

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

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 67

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

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 204

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 366

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 348

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 461

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

Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 124

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 413

Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 117

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

Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 153

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

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 148

Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 24

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

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

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

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

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

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 120

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

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

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 290

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

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

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds