Greenfinch Maestros

Greenfinches run in the family for MARK JONES, who here looks back over the influential breeder/showmen who shaped the exhibition bird – and salutes the top exponents of today.

A Living Study In Scarlet

When GARY BRALSFORD was offered a pair of the exquisite Brazilian tanager, he jumped at the chance to try breeding them. Here’s how they have been getting along with him so far.

WPT Appeal Helps Seize At-risk Parrots

A CAMPAIGN TO raise money for parrots at risk of persecution has exceeded its target, and already funded the rescue of 100-plus birds from illegal trade. 

Hawfinch Invaders: Will They Now Breed?

WILD BIRDSHAWFINCHES PUSHED INTO the UK in search of food last autumn could stay on here to nest, says the British Trust of Ornithology (BTO).

A Taste For Silverbills

When LEE CLARKE decided to come back to birdkeeping after a break of nearly 20 years, he picked up straight where he left off thanks to his uncle Ron Jackson and the duo were soon producing world-class silverbills alongside other foreign species.

A Masked Killer That Needs Our Help

Well-known for its seemingly brutal predatory and feeding habits, the red-backed shrike has become virtually extinct in the UK as a breeding bird – and is rarely seen in private collections either, says BILL NAYLOR. However, we shouldn’t overlook the attractions of this small but formidable passerine.

Working With The Lightback

In terms of impact at the shows, the lightback is the flavour of the season, says DAVE BROWN. Here he advises on how to make the most of pairings to enhance type and strength of colour.

The Black Lory Man

This enchanting Chalcopsitta is a great example of a species that’s suffered through neglect by specialist breeders. But just one such specialist, says ROSEMARY LOW, can make a difference to its fortunes. She meets the remarkable Dutch breeder Marc Houben.

Highlights Of The 2017 Gouden Ring

After a surprise success in 2014, DONALD SKINNER-REID attended the Gouden Ring Show in Belgium in 2015 and hasn’t looked back. Here he shares some of the highlights of the 2017 show, held in the first week of December.

Miley's Lucky Start

Although he is used to being asked to rescue birds by neighbours, LARRY MANN had a new challenge when his daughter rang up to announce she had found a duckling under her sofa.

Enemy No. 1: Complacency

Take your eye fractionally off the ball, and birdkeeping tends to turn round and bite you... DAVE BROWN shares a lesson in husbandry that can’t be learned and applied often enough.

Acrobat Of The Plains

A familiar sight on many an African safari, the agile bateleur is a remarkable eagle which adapts well to life in a zoo or bird park. BILL NAYLOR offers his experience of this charismatic species

Seven Pointers To Winning Potential

With its richness of colour and complexity of pattern, there’s a lot to think about in a quality exhibition budgie. FRED WRIGHT offers some personal views about the features to prioritise

It's A Bug's Life!

The bulk of Germany’s surviving classic commercials are the fabled Type 2 ‘splitties’ and ‘bay windows’, and it’s fair to say that there are hundreds worldwide, including here in the UK. However, Volkswagen didn’t just build commercials on these larger chassis, as Dean Reader found out.

Young At Heart

They were never the biggest haulage operation on Teesside but the high level of service given by three generations of the Young family of High Leven kept their customers happy for more than 70 years. Eric Young talks to Bob Tuck about his childhood days of opening farm gates and falling in love with his Dad’s two-stroke Commer cattle float.

Service To A T

The editor visits Ford Model T sales and spares specialists, the Tuckett Brothers.

Mount Hawke Music Maker

There are certain things you must do when heading to the deep South-West, and partaking of a Cornish Pasty or their local cream tea are well up that list. But if you get the time – and opportunity – then look up Martin Caddy in the sleepy settlement of Mount Hawke and ask if you can listen to the magical sound of his 1951 ‘O’ type Bedford. Bob Tuck reckons that alone is worth the long trip as it’s simply music to the ears.

A Bigger Bedford

Mark Gredzinski looks into the history of the ‘wide cab’ Bedford TM.

Summer's Over... And Now, The Good News

As the weather starts to turn, GARY BRALSFORD has been busy stripping the flights of nest-boxes and nesting material, though two species have proved to be late bloomers. He also reports on some special birds kept by his friends, and a pleasing message from the AS

Our Biggest Bird Success Story

Who’d have guessed that Britain’s most widespread breeding bird would be a tiny insectivore? Yet the wren has adapted to even our remotest island groups, and has colonised vast territories in Europe and Asia... but in birdkeeping it remains sadly under-represented. BILL NAYLOR profiles a stout-hearted little gem.

When England Meets Scotland

North East-based OMJ judge Ian Wright paid a visit to Edinburgh and dropped in on DONALD SKINNER-REID’s birdroom. At once they found common ground: in enjoyment of birdkeeping, old variety canaries and helping new starters.

2018 Budgie Aspirations

SAM WILDES has got a lot of juggling to do this year as he looks ahead to breeding possible Club Show winners, judging and exhibiting, as well as managing his expanding business.

World- Class Quality In Cesena

With the monster entry and vast array of judges at the recent World Show, did the right Lizards win?

Surveillance Operation Stepped Up In Crackdown On Yorkshire Raptor Crime

Surveillance Operation Stepped Up In Crackdown On Yorkshire Raptor Crime

Highlights And Disappointments

TONY EDWARDS continues his breeding season update (see January 31 issue) with a commentary on his favourite pairings, foster families – and some remarkably early starts.

Birmingham BS Action Free Entry Event For 65th Year

Birmingham BS Action Free Entry Event For 65th Year

Thrushes Bulletin

Thrushes Bulletin

Colour, Charisma And More

There’s plenty going for the humble canary as a cage or aviary bird, says LARRY MANN. He explains what makes pet canaries – whether Fifes, Glosters or coloured – so popular.

North Wales Fife Fancier Achieves Club's Record For Best Novice Title

HISTORY HAS BEEN made in Staffordshire after Fife breeder Jimmy Roberts secured North Staffs & South Cheshire Fife FCC’s first ever hat-trick win.

Birds' Gut Passage Improve Odds Of Seeds Germinating

A NEW STUDY has shown that plant seeds which travel through a bird’s gut passage stand a higher chance of germination.