What birds were used in coal mines to detect toxic gases such as carbon monoxide?

Poor things. But they saved lives until the technology came along.

budderdudder, thanks.

Diane Lynn Kinsman, I think I've seen it.

Vaughan Smith, 😄

Johnny Rock, they had to sacrifice the little darlings to achieve greater things. They didn't die in vain.

That's very sad, but understandable.

History lessons at school came in handy for once

The photo accompanying the question, depicts an open-pit mine. Canaries were used UNDERGROUND (U/G), up to about 1986, to detect carbon monoxide (CO). Human blood has a something like 300 times greater affinity for CO than for oxygen. In certain concentrations of this gas, humans lose consciousness very quickly, before they can escape. The canary was chosen as it s also particularly susceptible & would fall of its perch, giving warning, and saving many lives. Today, hand-held digital instruments give readings of several of the dangerous gases occurring in mines: CO, CO2, NH3, SO2, nitrous oxides and oxygen (deficiency). Also CH4, (methane or firedamp), a flammable gas responsible for explosions in U/G mines. Some miner's cap lamps also have built-in digital gas detection equipment, sounding an audible warning or causing the lamp to flash on & off in the presence of dangerous gas concentrations. We've also stopped using children underground & are thinking of phasing out ponies.

mlphilpot, not at all

I knew this 😀

A group called the Police did a song 'canary in a coal mine' - hence I got it right lol

Double choice helped

Awesome question. I had no idea but sounded right. Canaries are very smart.

Janice Lea Vanlandingham, that's because they have a more special job of having babies.

My great grandfather actually did this. He worked in a coal mine in Almy, Wyoming. These mines were famous for the gases that built up. The gases are what actually ended up closing the mines permanently.

Eric Fuller, Excellent song I was thinking of myself. "Canary in a Coalmine." "First to fall over when The atmosphere is less than perfect Your sensibilities are shaken By the slightest defect You live you life like a Canary in a coalmine You get so dizzy Even walking in a straight line You say you want to Spend the winter in Firenza You're so afraid To catch a dose of influenza You live your life like a Canary in a coalmine You get so dizzy Even walking in a straight line Canary in a coalmine Canary in a coalmine Canary in a coalmine Now if I tell you that You suffer from delusions You pay your analyst To reach the same conclusions You live your life like a Canary in a coalmine You get so dizzy even Walking in a straight line Canary in a coalmine Canary in a coalmine Canary in a coalmine First to fall over when The atmosphere is less than perfect Your sensibilities Are shaken by the slightest defect You live your life like A canary in a coalmine You get so dizzy Even walking in a straight line Canary in a coalmine"