Aviary

Parisian Frill

The most important among the frilled canaries is certainly the "Parisian" (Frise' Parisien) whose breeding began in France during the middle of the 19th century through cross breeding of the first frilled from Belgium and Holland with large size canaries, such as Lancashire, determining its current size.

After a very long selection, in 1910 the old name of the Dutch Curled of Paris was changed with the actual name and in 1920 the final standard was formulated.

It can be said that during the long years spent attempting to create this breed the characteristics of the Parisian Frisee have changed in such way that it look almost impossible that the simple selection has made it so different from the wild species. By being the most sophisticated breed, the Parisian Frisee has some inherent problems, such as an excessive production of keratin, producing in some birds very long and curly nails, becoming an anatomical and functional problem.

The Parisian Frisee has a high economical value; one of its characteristics is the excessive plumage growth, determining its large size. The under plumage, which should be soft but capable of sustaining the feathers, has a different appearance in every part of the body, creating the typical curling.

The head is covered by very long feathers that can lay on one side, on both sides, and in some species, in front. The tail has extremely long feathers, which may look heavy, but is in line with the body line, highlighting the standing and elegance of the Parisian Frisee, whose standard request an erect standing.

The Parisian Frisee is one the most difficult canaries to breed, being the less rustic species; the most frequent problems are connected with blindness, with the scarce number of eggs laid and with the high death rate.

NOTE: Italy is the country with the highest numbers of breeders.