canary

Canary is a term with several distinct meanings, including a songbird, an island group, a color, and modern software deployment practices.

The canary (Serinus canaria) is a small passerine native to the Canary Islands. It is kept as a pet for its bright yellow plumage and melodious song. Wild canaries feed on seeds, fruit, and greens; in captivity, they typically live about 8 to 12 years.

The Canary Islands are a Spanish autonomous community located off northwest Africa. The archipelago comprises seven main islands plus smaller ones, with volcanic terrain, mild climate, and diverse ecosystems. The economy centers on tourism, agriculture (notably bananas and wine), and services.

Canary yellow is a bright shade named after the bird.

Historically, canaries were used in coal mines to detect toxic gases; the birds would succumb or behave abnormally before miners were affected, providing early warning.

In software development, canary deployment or testing refers to releasing a new version to a small subset of users to monitor performance and safety before a full rollout.