Canary bird \Ca*na"ry bird`\ (Zo["o]l.) A small singing bird of the Finch family ({Serinus Canarius}), a native of the Canary Islands. It was brought to Europe in the 16th century, and made a household pet. It generally has a yellowish body with the wings and tail greenish, but in its wild state it is more frequently of gray or brown color. It is sometimes called {canary finch}.