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.

Slender-billed curlew named globally extinct

The Budgerigar ceases production for the year

QUOTE of the WEEK

Also in the news…

New study shows how migratory nightingales set the right pace

Record-breaking: Eccles beach welcomes 455 little tern chicks!

LATEST UPDATE

Fertilised but failing: embryo growth is the key issue in conservation breeding

Park Life

Belgians in Britain

EAZFS SHOW: A SPONSORS REVIEW

Editor’s Letter

Cage & Aviary Birds

Gail Harland’s WATERBIRDS

It’s all quiet on the greenfinch front • For Andy, 2025 has been all about dipping a toe in the water with native finches. He reckons an upgrade in foundation stock may be the way forward, but he has learned a great deal from his experience so far, not least about housing and feeding

The natural way to the show bench • Last week, MIRYAM SARACENI and BEN CUTLER described their birdkeeping backgrounds and early show successes in Northern Ireland. Now they tell DAVE BROWN about their set-up and management, which has a strong emphasis on letting the birds do what’s best for them

DIY mealworms, the long way round • After multiple false starts with breeding his own livefood, DAVID URMSTON has recently enjoyed a dollop of luck - and his softbills aren’t complaining. On another front, it’s now the season for moving on surplus birds and he’s considering a new tactic for achieving this essential task

Mighty, vulnerable – and ugly? • Non-bird people tend to say ‘yuk’ when they are shown a California condor on the ground, but ‘wow’ when it takes to the air. BILL NAYLOR investigates a controversial species that aviculture has undoubtedly saved from oblivion and restored to its native range in the USA

My yellow companions: Borders and the shenanigans of Army life • Career soldier STUART MASON looks back at the ingenuity called for and satisfaction gained from maintaining a canary stud in a military environment (and also thanks his wife!)

Thoughts in the wake of Stafford • From his base at the Zebra Finch Society stand, DAVE BROWN made various excursions to take in the action and atmosphere at the National. As ever, there was plenty to remember

The origin of the Gloster • This year marks the official centenary of the Gloster fancy canary, from its first appearance at the National. And for the story of the early years of this classic variety, we are hugely indebted to an article published in Cage & Aviary Birds in 1970. NORMAN WALLACE reports

First thoughts on my youngsters • As his 2025-bred finches moult and mature, MARK JONES can see enough to draw some tentative conclusions. And, overall, he’s pretty pleased with his total of 34 fledged youngsters

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

50 years and counting

Club roundup

Birdworld trip just the ticket

What’s coming up in the calendar