Innholdsfortegnelse for August 6, 2025 i Cage & Aviary Birds

SHOWS THE BORDER CONVENTION (BC) has formally advised its membership to register their birds with APHA if they intend to show them. Recently, the BC has been in correspondence with both APHA and DEFRA (see Cage & Aviary Birds, July 23 page 6). Publicity officer Stuart Mason had put forward a plan that would satisfy biosecurity concerns at shows, while making actual registration unnecessary. APHA had approved of this plan, but DEFRA then countermanded it. Head of policy at the department, Ananda Guha, insisted that taking birds to shows meant they had to be registered. Mr Mason said: “DEFRA plays an important role, but in this instance, I believe they've been misadvised and implemented a policy that achieves little, if anything, of real value.” The BC has now issued the…

SEABIRDS SCIENTISTS FROM THE British Trust of Ornithology (BTO) have been tracking three species of gulls in Scotland, to understand the foraging behaviours of these seabirds. Gulls are highly adaptable and have learned to change their diets and take advantage of the food on offer in human-altered environments. They would have traditionally fed on natural food found around UK shores before adapting to human-supplied food sources. Landfill sites swiftly became preferable, providing tons of accessible human food waste for the hungry birds to sift through. Dr Nina O'Hanlon, senior research ecologist at BTO Scotland, said: “We know that gulls can be very adaptable, but that not all food sources meet their needs. When forced into suboptimal habitats, they may not find enough food to feed their chicks, or they may…

I WILL NEVER moan about the cold and wet months again, as we've been going through this prolonged heat wave, which seems to be here for quite some time. The good weather is certainly attributing to an increase in the breeding behaviour seen in many of our avian inhabitants. We are now approaching the six-week school holidays (always a very busy time for us) and we are making sure all the aviaries are up together before this begins. Trying to tend to weeds and replace any substrates or perching when the park is full of small children is difficult. The bird section has been busy as always with lots of chicks, and parent birds needing to be fed live food to feed their youngsters. We have three bearded reedling chicks…

THE club was founded in approximately 1985 by a group of 28 enthusiasts. Remarkably, three of those original members – Bill Lawman, Bryan Barwise, and David Faulder – remain active today; their longstanding commitment helping to sustain and guide the club over nearly four decades. The first show was staged in 1986, and in 2012, recognising its evolving focus and increasing participation in Fife fancy canaries, the club adopted its current title: Cumbria Border & Fife Fancy Canary Club (CBFFCC). From the beginning, the club has gathered at well-known community venues: starting at the Moota Hotel in Wigton, then later at the Miners Arms in Prospect, near Aspatria, and the Rugby Union Club in Aspatria. These meetings have created a strong community spirit among Cumbrian fanciers – an invaluable asset…

ABERDEEN BS – August 14, Northern Bowling Club, Orchard Road, Aberdeen AB24 3DP, 7.30pm. A green series budgerigar competition plus other club business before the open show. Enquiries: 01358 721 550. AUSTRALIAN FINCH SOCIETY – August 10, Village Hall, Cheswick Way, Cheswick Green, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4JA, 9.30am-3.30pm. Members’ show. Also, members’ bird sales. Council meeting after lunch. Enquiries: 01473 626 938. BASILDON CBS – August 11, Felmores Community Centre, Northland's Park, Basildon, Essex SS13 1SD, 7.30pm. Social TBA. Enquiries: 07880 707 502. BRISTOL BS – August 11, Little Stoke Baptist Church, Kingsway, Little Stoke, Bristol BS34 6JW, 7pm. Meeting. Enquiries: 07748 740 794. COLCHESTER CBS – August 21, Stanway Village Main Hall, Villa Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 OHR, 7.45pm. Knock out competition. Enquiries: 07484 688 334. DYFED…

6 x 1kg bags to be won! FANCY winning a 1kg bag of Parrot Food Superior Quality Seed or Lovebird Mix Seed from Haith's? Parrot Food Superior Quality Seed gives your parrots the nutrition and enrichment they crave with a vibrant blend designed for variety, energy, and beak-friendly foraging. This mix supports mental stimulation and natural foraging behaviours. It is ideal for African greys, Amazons, macaws, and most medium-to-large parrot species in aviary or home settings. Crafted with care for cage and aviary lovebirds, Haith's latest blend of Lovebird Mix Seed is the result of thoughtful refinement. Designed to support year-round vitality, plumage condition, and natural foraging behaviour, this mix offers the variety and nutrition lovebirds need – with nothing they don't. For a chance to win your choice of…

IN GRENVILLE Allen's article in Cage & Aviary Birds July 23, about his colour budgerigar partnership with his wife Anita, we got Anita's name wrong. Sincere apologies to them both for this mistake. We contacted the Allens as soon as the mistake was pointed out. WATCH OUT, THE COLOUR IS COMING AS A former budgerigar breeder, I find it intriguing to observe developments in the exhibition hobby. Like several other types of cage bird, the exhibition budgerigar has been selectively overbred for many generations. The physical problems associated with the most sought-after specimens have been well documented and I will not repeat them. Similar issues are to be found in various breeds of canary, finch and – arguably – softbill. What fascinates me is the question of whether the governing…

PICTURE OF THE MONTH! C&AB TEAM PICKS THEIR FAVOURITE ENTRY EACH MONTH SEND us your birdkeeping pictures and we'll publish them on this page. Each month the C&AB team will pick their favourite picture(s)! Simply email your picture to: birds.general@kelsey.co.uk with “Readers’ Gallery” in the subject line or put them on our Facebook or Twitter pages. Unfortunately, the Kelsey Media offices at Welbeck Way, Woodston PE2 7WH are now closed so it is not possible to receive entries sent by post. Don't forget to include your name and address and a caption. NB: you must send only images for which you own the copyright. We cannot guarantee to print everything we receive. Readers’ Gallery will return next month. Closing date for entries: August 22, 2025.…

Additional show details (schedule info, judges’ names, opening times and entry fee) will appear in our Club Roundup section. For your open show to appear in our monthly calendar, send open show date, venue and contact details so it reaches us in time for the relevant issue (e.g. September shows must reach us by the middle of August). Email: birds.general@kelsey.co.uk SUNDAY AUGUST 10 SOUTH HAMPSHIRE BS CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN SHOW INC SOUTHERN COLOUR BUDGERIGAR SHOW Wellow Village Hall, 41 School Rd, West Wellow SO51 6BR. Tel: 07836 723 082. SUNDAY AUGUST 10 SOUTH WESTERN ZEBRA FINCH SUMMER OPEN SHOW Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Devon EX6 7UE. Email: peter.cannan1953@btinternet.com MONDAY AUGUST 11 BIRMINGHAM BS OPEN SHOW St Mary's Church Hall, 30 Hobs Meadow, Solihull, Birmingham B92 8PN. Tel: 07974 329…

VIRTUAL REALITY SAFARI EXPERIENCE MARWELL ZOO HAS introduced a new virtual reality experience that takes visitors on a safari journey. Using state-of-the-art headsets, you can experience members of the animal kingdom up close in their own habitats. Throughout the summer holidays, two different VR experiences will be running, with a new film released each month. The first is A New Odyssey Around the World, coming face to face with the mountain gorilla and even swimming with sperm whales. WHITE PEACOCK LOST ROGER AND BERNIE Deamer from Cockernhoe, Hertfordshire, are keen to find the owner of a white peacock taking residence in their garden. Police think the bird may have been stolen and then dumped. Seen in the wild in India, a lot of white peacocks are bred to be white…

ON PAGE 13 this week, Sam Wildes gives a completely frank appraisal of the BS Club Show in June. Sam is a well-known exhibitor, a BS panel judge and a successful birdkeeping supplier, as well as a regular C&AB contributor. He had his business's trade stand at the event in Blackpool, and attended the show with his whole family, staying at the Grand Hotel (the event venue), as well as benching a show team himself. So his feedback counts. When you read Sam's assessment you'll find that he pulls no punches, and why should he? It is extremely important that budgie fanciers and BS work together to revive this world-famous show. For whole-hearted supporters of the BS, such as Sam, there's nothing to be gained by biting your lip. I feel…

SOUTH CHESHIRE BS OUTSTANDING club member John Cosby was recently acknowledged by the club and president with a budgerigar model in appreciation of his exceptional contribution over many years, writes Alan Marchant. John's contributions extend beyond our club walls and the whole of the Lancashire and Cheshire NW BS area are appreciative of his efforts and commitment. For years, John has been a constant “go to” man for the club, officiating at almost every show throughout the whole of the show season either directly or in an advisory role. He has often ensured that shows are undertaken in a very professional manner. His drive and interest have been the catalyst for the resurrection of the National Show currently being held at Stafford and steadily gaining in popularity each year. He…

SHOW DATES HASTINGS BS will be holding its annual open show on August 17 in Northiam Village Hall, Kent. Everyone is welcome to come and see nearly 300 birds of differing colours and varieties. In addition to the usual excellent raffle, a number of birds will be available for sale at very competitive prices. Schedules can be obtained from Mr & Mrs B Scott on 01892 662 240. Light refreshments available throughout the day. LANCASHIRE BB&HC will be holding its ever popular open show on November 16, this will be the club's 39th consecutive show. Judges for the event will be well-known bird keepers Alex Kidd, Dave Hammond and Tom McCash. They will be judging in the Stub Shaw Cross, Sports & Community Centre, Ashton in Makerfield, Nr Wigan. This…