Cage & Aviary Birds

THE HAWK AND Owl Trust is calling on the public to contribute to a nationwide survey of long-eared owls (Asio otus). Owing to a decline in the longeared owl population in the UK, the charity is asking people to record sightings of these birds and the

IT ALWAYS AMAZES me that I am still a zookeeper after 20 years, particularly working outside in all weather. Fortunately, so far we have only had a few sub-zero days, but a huge amount of very wet ones. We have now completed our annual census of all

“Imprinted individuals spurn advances from the opposite sex, as they don’t consider themselves to be geese.” - Bill Naylor recalls the pleasures and problems of keeping the lovely red-breasted goose. See page 12. ■

A NEW STUDY has found that ancient humans may have caused the extinction of nearly 1,500 bird species. Modern causes of bird extinction owing to human activity - including habitat loss and over-exploitation - are well documented. Researchers from the

I LIVE in Dublin, Ireland, and I’m having a hard time trying to find breeders of the splendid (scarlet-chested) parakeet either here in the Republic or in Northern Ireland. Could you please help me get in touch with any breeders of this parrot on the

IT HAS been interesting to follow other fanciers’ accounts of their attempts to breed the Pekin robin. I have not yet succeeded. I have only been housing one pair at a time in a 50ft aviary which is heavily planted with a 15ft inside enclosure for fe

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Right - if you’re like the fanciers I’ve talked to over the Christmas season, you’ll have had quite enough festive fun and will be ready to get back in the birdroom. (That’s assuming your loved ones were able to winkle you out of it i

Editor: Rob Innes. Tel: 01959 541 444 Email: birds.ed@kelsey.co.uk Deputy Editor: Laura Welch. Tel: 01959 541 444 News Editor: Georgina Probert. Email: birds.news@kelsey.co.uk Email (Club News): birds.general@kelsey.co.uk Design: Focused On Design Lt

Q. I recently heard that Bengalese do not exist in the wild. Is this true? A. Quite true: the Bengalese does not occur as a wild species. Its origins are a bit of a mystery, but it is thought to be the result of selective cross-breeding, carried out

SHOW season 2023 was an odd period for me. The birds were fine, but our home was in turmoil while the kitchen being replaced with a 21st century version. The work lasted longer than we expected, though Scott’s comparison with the building of the Basi

HAVING had the North frills and Lancashires out to a couple of shows, it was then time to start preparing, not only for the winter months ahead, but also the next breeding season. Our birds’ last exhibition of the season was the annual trip to the So

READERS of this column in Cage & Aviary Birds will know that my dream and ambition with my parrots has been free flight. I had been fascinated by it since I first kept parrots 25 years ago. After 15 years of study - books, seminars, lectures and work

AFTER two years of cancelled shows due to the covid pandemic and the bird-flu outbreak, the Western Counties B&FBS finally held its open area show on October 1, 2023 at Kennford near Exeter. There were 432 budgie entries and 432 benched, comprising o

BRITISH ROLLER CANARY ASSOCIATION will hold its open singing contest on January 6,2024 at Methley WMC, Pinfold Lane, Methley, Leeds LS26 9AA. Judging commencing at 9am. Booking in from 8am. Enquiries: 01977 515 754. SCOTTISH OLD & RARE VARIETIES CANA

ABERDEEN BS - January 11, Northern Bowling Club, Orchard Road, Aberdeen AB24 3DP, 7.30pm. AGM. All to attend. Enquiries: 01358 721 550. BRITISH ROLLER CANARY ASSOCIATION - January 6, Methley WMC, Pinfold Lane, Methley, Leeds LS26 9AA. Open singing co

■ THE second half of the year started on a positive note, as a missing young macaw called Baby was found safe and well. The nine-month-old military macaw (Ara militaris) flew away from keepers at Wingham Wildlife Park in Kent during her free-flight t