1933
Portions of the following were taken from an article written by William Southern that was published in the All Pets Magazine in April, 1937

The Columbus Fancy canary is the product of several breeders in the United States working together to produce a free singing canary that was more symmetrical, better proportioned and more attractive in appearance than its counterparts.

The Columbus Fancy, also known as “America’s Type Canary” is a hybrid of the smaller, slimmer Norwich and of 1920’s crossed with the true German Crested Hartz Roller. Most of the intial work is credited to the breeding program of Mrs. W. A. Finney in the Columbus, Ohio area. Birds with well shaped heads and chubby bodies were selected to produce this new type, and care was taken to keep a tight feathered bird, well proportioned and not to exceed five and one-half inches. Breeders in Cleveland and Detroit played a big part in producing this new type under Mrs. Finney's directions. A group from the Columbus, Ohio area promoted the bird, assigning the first accepted standard in 1933. The original standard read:

Color Bright, rich, level, natural color 15
Body Short, beak short, head round, neck thick, body, cobby, back wide and well filled in, well rounded chest. Crest in proportion to the size of the bird, well fillin, no splits; feathers should taper off into the back of the head and neck 30
Feather Soft, silky, natural color,tight, compact 15
Wings and Tail Short, compact, good carriage 15
Size Well porportioned NOT to exceed 5 1/2 or 6 inches 10
Legs Stocky and well set back 5
Condition Health, cleanliness and sound NATURAL COLOR feather 10
Total points   100

  1974

In January, 1974, an article about the Columbus Fancy was written by Ms. Margie McGee was published in "ACBM"

“The Columbus Fancy is probably the world's most misunderstood bird. In fact it is not recognized in any other country but the United States. Most countries have a tendency to consider the bird a huge joke. We are not helping the bird due to the fact that the breeders and judges are not adhering to the bird's standard.

There is a recognized standard for the Columbus Fancy which the breeders and judges are overlooking either because of ignorance or negligence. The standard has been adopted and published many times but too many are going their own way with no regard for the bird's well being. A vast variety of birds are being presented as a Columbus Fancy regardless of the size or shape or color. This is causing such confusion that the bird's very existence is put in jeopardy.

What a shame to allow a beautiful bird like the Columbus Fancy to lose its identity. In some states the bird is bred for the crest only with no regard for the size and shape of the bird. I've seen it all crest with swirling feathers and as long as a York - similar to a monster with a Norwich Crest, Dutch Frill feathers, and York body. No wonder people consider the bird a miscellaneous or cross bird. Any bird that comes out of the aviary resembling no Type Standard is labeled Columbus Fancy. The crest of the Columbus Fancy should be similar to the Lancashire, long on the sides and being cap-like in the back. The back of the head should be like a hood of closely packed feathers which should be no longer than the ordinary plain headed canary. I realize this is difficult to accomplish and very seldom found, but let's work for it and not deliberately breed away from it. Breeding for the long crest only, is creating a Crested Bird that resembles the Norwich Crest that falls like an umbrella over the bird's head, covering the eyes.

The Columbus Fancy should resemble a miniature Norwich in body only. The Columbus needs a head large enough to carry the crest with a short thick neck but does not want to run to all head. It should be a small, neat, short, cobby bird with a Norwich stance. It is NOT a cross between a Norwich and a Border as so many breeders and judges will tell you. The bird originated from a cross between a SMALL NORWICH and a CRESTED HARTZ or CRESTED ROLLER with good confirmation. The Norwich was used for the shape and the Hartz was used for the Crest and to reduce the size. The Columbus should be no longer than 6 inches thus eliminating the long body and tail that is being seen on the show bench.

The breeders would soon be educated if the judges would stick to the Standard when judging Columbus Fancy. I've even seen an orange Columbus Fancy win a trophy. A Columbus Fancy is NOT to be color fed nor to be crossed with a Red Factor and should be disqualified for any orange shade whatsoever. Let's make a point of educating ourselves by sticking to the Columbus Fancy Standard so that this lovely bird can survive and be seen in its true glory."

  1980
In 1980-81 a letter was sent to all who had shown an interest in the Columbus Fancy in which an organization of fanciers was proposed.
The purpose of such an organization would be to:
   A. Promote continuing interest in the Columbus Fancy
   B. Foster judging standards
   C. Specify a standard show cage
   D. Increase interest in exhibiting the Columbus Fancy
   E. Publish information about the Columbus Fancy

The letter was signed by John Knipp, a long time breeder of the fancy. The response was overwhelming.

  1983
An organizational meeting was held at the National Cage Bird Show in Denver in 1983 with 32 people attending. Officers were selected. A committee was appointed to reword the standard for the members consideration and adopted. A new outline picture was to be drawn to be approved by the membership also. A show cage was presented to the new club and was approved unanimously.

The following are the standards approved in 1983:

Color Bright and rich throughout natural color, no color-fed or bred 15
Feather Soft and silky, but tight and compact 10
Condition Health, cleanliness, not stationary on perch 10
Body Short, well rounded with full chest and back. Not to appear cobby, but a slight tubular appearance is preferred. neck heavy and thick 20
Head Rounded from all angles, short beak, eye centered, flat and pinched skull to be avoided. Crest, oval in shape, with well defined center, set well to the skull without splits, horns, or bare spots. Brow preferred in the plainhead 20
Wings Evenly set at base of tail, carried close to the body 5
Tail Stocky and well set back 5
Size Well-proportioned - ideal length is 6 inches 5
Total points   100

  1984
In 1984 the wording of the standard was completed with more modern wording and the points more concise. The only change in the actual description of the bird was size to be 6 inches. This was dispatched immediately to all members along with a picture of the Columbus Fancy. Everyone was asked for comments, suggestions for changes or acceptance of the standard. There was discussion and finally it was adopted by a majority of all members.

In fall of 1984 the International Columbus Fancy Association and both the written and the pictorial standard were accepted by the National Cage Bird Club. This was published in their catalog as the approved standard for judging.

At a later annual meeting of the International Columbus Fancy Association it was voted to add the word "oval" to the description of the crest. This was to better describe the "Lancashire type crest" as written in Mrs.Phinney's early article.

Since that time the club has furnished a winner's certificate earlier and now rosettes for the clubs who request them. These are to be awarded to the best Columbus Fancy in show.

  1989
Leg bands were made available to members.

Through the years of its existence the International Columbus Fancy Association has had much praise and some criticism. The criticism has come from those who were not willing to help with the beginning decisions or become a member. Some of these critics do not raise and certainly do not exhibit our type. It is the responsibility of breeders, exhibitors and admirers to keep the club progressing.

The current standard is available for review on our standards page.

  2010

At the National Meeting the membership voted to change the association's name from International Columbus Fancy Association to Columbus Fancy Canary Association.