Canary hobby gives Jack plenty to sing about

A NORTHSIDE canary breeder is desperately hoping to pass on the passion he has for his hobby to a new generation.

Baldoyle local Jack Scullion fears he’s part of a dying breed of enthusiasts with his love for the German Roller canary species, which is one of the oldest and best-known song canaries.

When Mr Scullion retired, he rekindled his love for canary breeding, which he had given up 35 years ago due to work demands.

The 68-year-old’s hobby was reignited four years ago when his daughter gave him a surprise Christmas present of a canary. He now has a collection of 90 birds in his aviary.

“The German Rollers are lovely little birds that are bred purely for their song,

? Jack told Northside People.

“They sing with their mouth closed and have nine different notes or

‘tours’ as they are known.

“To be honest I wouldn’t recognise a good note but I can definitely tell a bad note when I hear it.

?

Jack recently scooped top prize as a Champion Amateur in a German Roller Canary competition, which was held in the West of Ireland.

During competitions, each breeder chooses their most note-perfect birds to perform in front of judges.

Jack is hoping for the same success in a show in Northern Ireland due to be held this week and in the National Show next month.

He then hopes to travel to England for the Grand National where he has competed once before and was

“highly commended

?.

“You’d be sorely disappointed if you expected to make any money from canary breeding,

? he said.

“I do it for the love of the birds and I probably spend 20 times what the bird is worth on feeding and keeping them in a year.

“I always offer any elderly people who may be interested in them one for free if I have ones that haven’t scored very well.

“They’re probably worth about

?¬25 but it’s their company and song, which is priceless to many people.

?

Jack, who is secretary of the German Roller Canary Club, fears canary breeding, particularly in relation to this species, is becoming a dying breed.

He is following on in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who bred German Rollers before him.

Jack’s passion and dedication to canaries is admirable and infectious but despite his 90-strong flock of beloved birds he insists that his three children are his biggest achievement and source of happiness.