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.

BRCA robbed of its 2026 finale

New lease of life for Second World War military structures

QUOTE of the WEEK

Also in the news…

Voting open for NHM’s People’s Choice Award

LATEST UPDATE: no new cases and more case closures

UK considered for Dalmatian pelican reintroduction

PARROTS & PEOPLE

NCA and DEFRA: the meeting of February 9 • NCA chairman BARRY MILLS has sent the following letter to the Association’s solicitor. It is reproduced here as a progress report for readers. NB: further developments may occur by the time this issue is published

The NCA’s written reply to DEFRA • NCA president ROBB BROWN sent this reply to DEFRA’s Heather Dowlman on the day after the meeting. The next meeting is now set for February 25

Editor’s Letter

Cage & Aviary Birds

WATERBIRDS

Hen hat-trick bodes well • A trio of good results with his hen Borders signed off Andy’s show season, and now he’s revving up for March 1 and the start of breeding prep proper. Not long to go!

Bullfinch health factors • The lovely bullfinch is prone to medical issues, and this month MARK JONES offers his advice on how to keep your bullies in the pink. Plus: a baffling redpoll and some basic maths!

Q&A: Sammy Portman • Most of us would think of our birdkeeping as a hobby, but for novice fancier SAMMY PORTMAN, it is far more than that. He describes birdkeeping as a way of life - and his dedication is already paying dividends on the show bench. At the 2025 National Exhibition, Sammy achieved one of the standout results of the day - best mule/hybrid. For someone who’s still near the outset of his exhibiting journey, that was an achievement which marked him as one to watch. DAVE BROWN asked him about his life with birds

Making history in Knoxville • What an odyssey it was for JOHN DOWLING, as he headed for Tennessee to judge a ground-breaking Irish fancy section at the American National! It was a show that mixed the familiar with new and different touches, which offered food for thought, and it also forged or revived numerous friendships

Strategy for breeding: Part 1 • Last week, TERRY KELLY scoped out his new series on how to breed canaries, and now he gets down to the nitty gritty – that all-important point when he assesses his young stock for retention in the breeding team

First-round surprises start early • Given the nailed-on-looking CFW pairs that DAVE BROWN had lined up, few bookies would have given odds on his first ringed 2026 youngsters being normals. But guess what?

Canaries Month by Month: FEBRUARY • Newly back from a superb, bureaucracy-free World Show, BRIAN KEENAN urges the UK fancy to fend off the latest DEFRA attacks, while focusing on our number one priority: the welfare of our birds. Meanwhile, the breeding cycle is starting

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

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

Club roundup • Show reports, dates, club notices