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.

Big entry at revived combined exhibition

Countrywide Prize Draw

QUOTE of the WEEK

Also in the news…

WWT Slimbridge delights in the return of 11 Berwick’s swans

LATEST UPDATE: a huge list of 3km Protection Zones

Breeding behaviour of European shags can change with the wind

FINCHES Plus

Rocky roads for two young breeds ROB IS BACK IN TWO WEEKS • This year, we’ve focused on the founding of the Gloster canary and the Budgerigar Society 100 years ago. Historic events both — and yet neither breed’s progress was smooth. In fact, four years after the Gloster’s show début, its validity as a breed was questioned by one of the foremost canary judges of the day, John Robson. What’s more, first-generation hybrids between two separate breeds were winning prizes as Glosters as a matter of course. Meanwhile, the budgie’s progress was hijacked by a massive but short-lived demand for birds in Japan. Interesting times for both! ROB INNES reports

Cage & Aviary Birds

Suffolk and Newark fly the flag • Native softbills did well at the recent Suffolk show, and at Newark foreign species were strongly represented and in demand. GARY BRALSFORD reports

Keeping it simple with Scots • As we saw last week, MATT ATKINSON was the winner of the award for best Scots fancy canary at the National Exhibition at Stafford on October 5. In the second part of our interview with him, Matt addresses the practical side of his birdkeeping: his set-up, feeding régime and training techniques, and also his ambition and vision for the future of the Scots fancy. Combining a passion for conservation with a deep respect for the history of the breed, Matt is not only achieving personal success but also inspiring others to join the fancy. DAVE BROWN puts the questions

Doves from paradise • Few groups of species are as uniformly exquisite as the tropical fruit doves - which makes it a pleasure for BILL NAYLOR to introduce them and their equally attractive relatives

Captivated by colour • The name of CHRIS SMITH will be well known to most readers – but fewer will know him as a keen breeder-exhibitor of colour budgies! Here he relates how taking up these birds has reinspired his love of the exhibition fancy and describes his transformed breeding set-up

The Budgerigar Club

Breeding the greater whitethroat • With its clean lines, warm tones and perky personality, the common or greater whitethroat would appeal to any softbill enthusiast. NIGEL HIGGINS reports on a successful 2025 breeding of this charming and characterful native bird

A dream garden in the Far East • Amid the world’s most urban environment, a magical space has been fashioned for birds and fanciers. DAVE BROWN reflects on a celebration of the hobby in the heart of Asia

Dublin’s ancient bird market • Growing up in the Dublin of the 1970s, MARK FARRELL knew and loved the city’s traditional bird market. Its unique character encapsulated the time and place of Mark’s youth – yet now the city’s street culture has changed. Here is an excerpt from his forthcoming new book, written as a commemoration

READERS’ GALLERY

Owls, overseas trips and outstanding shows • Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you

Foreign bird revival in the South-west

Society stalwart honoured at National

Rare variety show draws big numbers

Great success for joint club show

Club roundup

What’s coming...