Cage & Aviary Birds

Cage & Aviary Birds is written by bird experts for bird fanciers and is packed with club, show and bird related news, advice, birds for sale and comment. Established in 1902, Cage & Aviary Birds provides a wealth of practical advice and tips from the top names in the bird world, plus opinion, controversy, species and hobbyist profiles and nostalgia.

Canary Council: it's time to call it a day

Tropican Prize Draw

QUOTE of the WEEK

Also in the news…

Wetland wildlife is captured in all its glory

Climate-tolerant species better able to boost populations

Sihek lay eggs in the wild for the first time in four decades

PARROTS & PEOPLE

REGISTRATION: it seems devolution = divergence

Editor's Letter

Cage & Aviary Birds

Early breeding dramas • Yet again, softbills are demonstrating their power to surprise their keepers – and not always agreeably! GARY BRALSFORD singles out some highs and lows of the 2025 season so far

Border champion Q&A: Bob Hodges • BOB HODGES is a birdman through and through. He has kept birds ever since the 1970s, when he had pigeons, budgies and canaries – including his first Borders (‘rather ropey’ in his words). In the latter half of the 1980s, Bob got his first exhibition Borders and, apart from a break of five years or so, has had them ever since. ANDY JOHNSON asks him about his time with his chosen variety

Q&A: celestials • Parrotlets are irresistible – so don't try to resist them, says CHRIS GREEN, responding to a reader query! Just bear in mind that there are one or two management ‘don'ts’ as well as ‘do's’ and you'll find that a few pairs of celestials can provide you with years of interest

The mess with the crest • Described by BILL NAYLOR as ‘randomly coloured’, the crested barbet won't win beauty contests, but it's fun to keep and fascinating to observe: a bird ‘outside the box’, perhaps

My calendar of nest-box checks • Not for TONY EDWARDS is the hands-off approach around hatching: his practice is to know what's going on in each nest-box and intexrvene decisively if he sees the need

‘A feast for the senses’ • The prolific Antonio Sanz has produced another magnificent volume in his sumptuous series on cage birds – this time, co-authored. ANDY EARLY gives his assessment of Hybrids: the breeding of masterpieces. Conclusion: even non-hybrid breeders will love it

From nest-box to show bench • Welsh Gloster fancier JASON THOMAS follows up last week's Q&A with advice on breeding and show preparation. Putting the questions: DAVE BROWN

READERS’ GALLERY

Club News • Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that's all about you

Club roundup

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