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.

Rathlin Island is now officially ferret-free

Tropican Prize Draw

QUOTE of the WEEK

Also in the news…

New pelleted wonderfood looks set to storm the fancy

Paignton Zoo names its cassowary chick

Lesser flamingos picture nabs ‘highly commended’ in WPOTY People's Choice

COLOUR BUDGERIGARS

The Australian Finch Society

NCA/DEFRA UPDATE

IOA AWARD

Editor's Letter

Cage & Aviary Birds

Avian influenza: biosecurity is key • On February 26, DEFRA published its latest technical assessment of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) across Britain and Europe. The document is detailed and scientific in nature, but the key messages for birdkeepers can be distilled into a few practical points. In this summary, STUART MASON highlights the most relevant information

Birds in my blood • To many fanciers across the UK and Ireland, the name of Ulster-based DAVID McCOOL is already familiar. A respected breeder and judge of canaries and native finches, David has spent decades refining his lines, supporting clubs and sharing his knowledge with others. He also runs the popular YouTube channel “Davidsbirdroom”, where he documents his methods and offers an open door into his daily birdroom routine. In this first article, David reflects on his early years in the hobby and the experiences that shaped him as a birdman

Life for Lear's beyond the bottleneck • After having plunged down to such a minute population that it went undetected in the wild for ages, is the gorgeous Lear's macaw genetically robust enough to flourish in the long term? The signs are promising, reports DAVID WAUGH

The budgerigar from Gould to today • HEIN VAN GROUW gives a brief overview of the fascinating budgerigar specimens at the Natural History Museum, Tring – and explains how fanciers can further his aim of improving the collection for the benefit of posterity

Novelties in the bird shed • With a visit to the World Show and a newly built birdroom to get used to, DAVID ALLEN has enjoyed a busy beginning to 2026. Now it's time to focus on his breeding priorities

The Red Squirrel story • For PAT FIELDING, retirement from work has opened doors rather than closing them, as she and husband Ian set up a small business that's perfectly suited to the fancy's requirements. Here's how it's gone so far

Spring highlights and bargains • After the absurd tension of waiting for a licence so that canaries and finches could be present, the Stafford Spring Sale went off as planned on March 1. And DAVE BROWN found that, as always, a trip there paid off both in purchases and social get-togethers

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

OPEN SHOWS 2026/27 SEASON • Show details (opening times, judges, etc) will appear in our Club Roundup section. Please send your open show date, venue and contact so that it reaches us in time for the relevant issue (e.g. June shows to reach us by the middle of May). If your show is not listed in this calendar, please advise us by email: birds.general@kelsey.co.uk

Club roundup • Show reports, dates, club notices

What's on this week • Club meetings nationwide. Includes sales held by clubs to benefit their members. For other sales, please book an advert