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.

Nick Ash takes ‘Breeder of the Year’

A 360-year first

QUOTE of the WEEK

Also in the news…

10-year conservation plan for endangered species

UK’s oldest avocet discovered at RSPB Middleton Lakes

Brazilian budgerigar expert visits Haith’s

COLOUR BUDGERIGARS

Hot topics that shaped the hobby • What were fanciers writing in to Cage Birds about this time last century? How much did the important issues of their day differ? These letters from 1926 give a flavour – and we also reveal how Cage Birds was affected by the General Strike of that year

Cage & Aviary Birds

Shoo-ins and write-offs • Some of MARK JONES’s natives have made breeding look a cinch so far. Others he has tried to help but they’ve simply ploughed. But the overall outlook for the season is promising

Q&A: FOSTERING • Every serious breeder should master this skill - and in response to a reader letter DAVE BROWN explains the key features of safe and effective foster parenting

Canaries Month by Month: JULY • Phew! Brian’s Yorkshires have turned it round for him after the early breeding setbacks he described last month. Now he’s at the stage of comparing notes with fellow breeders and giving his stock the TLC it needs at this period of the year

SERIEMAS: way out on their own • BILL NAYLOR introduces two leggy ground-dwellers that aren’t songbirds but think they are! If you’ve never encountered a seriema before, make sure you take the opportunity

Reflect, recover and look ahead • During July, the excitement and pressure may tail off - but the wise breeder will use the time to watch and think. Border canary champion STUART MASON offers his topical advice

Rare parrots and natural disasters • Many of the world’s threatened psittacines inhabit regions where devastating natural events can transform habitats overnight. DAVID WAUGH reports

A history and a roadmap combined • ‘Taking notes’ might sound like a chore, but if you change the terminology to ‘keeping records’ you’ll soon find out what a powerful tool they are for the serious breeder. DAVE BROWN reports

Our National is thriving • The 2025 Canadian National Show was a splendid success, reports JAY BUNKER, and drew both experienced judges from across the world and first-time visitors from the local area

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

Club roundup • Show reports, dates, club notices

MEET THE PRESIDENT • PAM LEEDHAM: Midland Budgerigar Association president for 2026

What’s on