Harz Roller

The birds were bred in the Upper Harz between Lautenthal and Sankt Andreasberg in the middle of the 19th century and achieved European-wide fame.

In contrast to widespread legend, the birds were not used in the mines to indicate the presence of carbon monoxide; they were too valuable.

Canaries were especially good for this purpose as, unlike finches, doves and mice, they reacted very quickly to carbon monoxide.

For this reason, canaries were not only used in normal operations, but especially to protect rescue units in the case of an accident.

[2] The hens were less suitable for sale, as only the cocks, as part of their courtship behaviour, were able to sing the popular song.