Innholdsfortegnelse for August 20, 2025 i Cage & Aviary Birds

EDUCATION CELEBRATIONS ARE IN order for avid birdkeeper Oliver Crowther, who has completed his master’s degree in Bioveterinary Science at the University of Nottingham. His research project focussed on twites and their behaviour with a change in adult sex ratios. Mr Crowther is known to many through his online presence as the face of OC Aviary, a YouTube channel that follows his birdkeeping with British finches, mules, hybrids and canaries. Mr Crowther said: “I’ve always had a keen interest in science, particularly biology, therefore the opportunity to use this interest as motivation into a degree appealed to me. Additionally, I’ve always loved animals and wildlife (especially birds!) my whole life.” There were several reasons for the choice of research project, says Mr Crowther, including him working with twite in a…

CANARIES MY FIRST exposure to the use of incubators dates back to my childhood in the mid-1960s. My grandfather had a dedicated room at the end of his farmhouse, which was filled with paraffin incubators hatching pheasants for the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate. As a youngster, my important job was to check the glass indicator tubes and report when the paraffin was running low. It’s remarkable to think how much the technology – and the science – of incubation has advanced since those days (see photo, top right). Fast forward some 20 years to the 1980s, and I found myself back on the “incubator rollercoaster” during a visit to the well-known breeder Mr Phil Warne. Strategically placed on a bench in his birdroom was what looked, to me, like…

AUGUST CANARIES OVER the years, I have adapted my management and moulting routines for my Yorkshires to suit my needs and those of my birds. I start by weaning my chicks in small groups, usually in a double or large single cage. This is important to enable you to observe them and to keep them calm while they develop. And it’s particularly important in their early days out of the nest, as their legs grow stronger, to avoid slip- and stiff-claw, which can often be caused by sudden frights. When the birds are about five or six weeks old, I single-cage them and commence show-cage training. I find it encourages the chicks to enter the cage more readily if starting at this stage in their development. As the birdroom fills…

I HAVE NOW been breeding budgerigars in outside aviaries for nine years, and generally with satisfactory results. Using year-old or two-year-old birds seems to maintain fertility. How did I start? In 2016, I purchased six pairs of “pet-type” aviary-bred budgerigars of assorted colours, all wearing ’16 rings. I knew that the breeder had prolific stock and, therefore, these would be great breeding birds – AND I have not been disappointed. I housed them in a 15ft long aviary. They settled in very well and soon started to breed. It is so good to observe budgerigars flying around a long aviary and playing at every opportunity. Besides the normal perching, I like to provide the thinnest perches that are only attached to the flight with one fixing. They love to bounce…

ONE THING STRUCK me about my colleague Katherine Weir’s account of the recent Tropical Bird Show in South Shields (see News, page 4). She didn’t write: “But then unfortunately the event was broken up by protesting antis and we all had to go home early.” There’s something to be said for all the red tape that’s now involved in bird gatherings: if show organisers tick the boxes, their events are legit. The law is on their side. It has been quite some years since the anti-birdkeeping lobby ruined any cage bird events. Yet I feel that the fancy is still nervous about facing outwards, to the public, for fear of attracting the wrong sort of attention. In 2025, Britain remains a bird-loving nation. The public also relishes a live event,…

CANARIES THE Raza Española is the smallest among the posture canaries. A typical example weighs 13-15g and measures a mere 11-12cm from beak to tail. Its show standard calls for: A fine and elongated body, without appearing emaciated Tight, smooth feathering without any fluffiness or frill Slight convex curvature along the back Proud upright posture, with a distinct neck and well-defined chest Thin, proportional legs supporting an alert stance An oval-shaped head with a delicate beak, which should never be thick or heavy Calm, composed behaviour on the perch So a good example of the Raza must demonstrate many distinct features in one tiny “package”. While all of the attributes listed above should be achieved through a thoughtful process of line breeding, arguably the behavioural aspects must be enhanced through…

BORDER FOCUS CLEVELAND BORDER & FIFE FANCY CANARY CLUB Cleveland, the phoenix club CLEVELAND BORDER & FIFE FCC has overcome many challenges throughout its rich history, writes STUART MASON THE Cleveland Border Club was formed in the early 1970s by a group of enthusiastic Border breeders who had been exhibiting at cage bird society shows. Wanting to establish a dedicated specialist club aligned with the Border Convention, they set about building something remarkable. Their inaugural show was a resounding success, boasting over 1,000 Borders benched – with none other than the legendary Sammy Elliot taking best Border. Held at the Thorntree Community Centre, the early years saw the show flourish. Throughout the 1980s, entries remained strong, with more than 1,400 Borders benched in some years – over 400 of them…

BORDER CANARY ASSOCIATION schedules for the November 1 show will soon be available and sent to last year’s exhibitors. Anyone else requiring a copy please message Fraser Anderson on 07769 152 366. This year’s judges are N. Courtney (Borders) & S. McColl (Fifes). Members will only have to pay for 12 entries, any additional shall be free of charge. EDINBURGH BS will host its 72nd open show at Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn on August 23. Schedules for the show have now been issued to the last two years’ exhibitors by email or post. Anyone who has not received theirs, or requires one, should contact show secretary, Donald Bruton on 07765 198 571 or by email: blissthreebliss@yahoo.co.uk. Alternatively, send a message via the EBS Facebook page. Judges this year are Grant…

HIGH HOPES FOR CORNCRAKE PROJECT A BROOD of corncrake chicks are being reared for release in September at the Lower Derwent Valley Nature Reserve near York. The scheme is the first attempt at re-establishing the corncrake (Crex crex) in the county, and is being led by the Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group. Corncrakes are native to the UK but are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss. The conservation team are now working with local landowners. RESERVE’S BUMPER CROP OF SANDWICH TERNS RSPB MINSMERE HAS recorded its largest number of sandwich tern fledglings in over 50 years. This summer, the bird reserve – on the Suffolk coast -counted at least 205 chicks from this Vulnerable bird species. The reason for this “boom” can be attributed to…

TROPICAL BIRD SHOW 2025 THE INAUGRAL TROPICAL Bird Show was held on August 10 at Temple Park Centre, South Shields offering a great selection of exhibitors, beautiful birds on display, interesting talks and a free-flight demonstration. With the show taking place on my doorstep, I decided to go along with my daughter Dorothy. The show is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Catalina and Billy Tate, owners of Garden Feathers, a business catering for most birds, including racing pigeons, large parrots and cage birds. While the aim of the show was to celebrate all tropical birds, it was also an opportunity to raise funds for Catalina and Billy’s bird charity, Feathers Together Parrot Rescue, that rescues and rehomes unwanted parrots and other pet birds. Mrs Tate said: “We were delighted to…

COVER STORY: PARROTS CAN fake feathers help birds? Yes, and in different ways. For example, birds unable to fly due to broken or cut feathers can be rehabilitated through the process of imping, whereby a new feather can be inserted into the shaft of a broken feather. Usually the new feather is real, but it can be a high-quality artificial one, which can also be a distinctive colour if the bird is to be monitored after release. Another example: artificial feathers can replace a harmful use of natural feathers. An outstanding example of this involves the Critically Endangered blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis), endemic to Bolivia. At one time, a worrying threat to this species was hunting for tail feathers to make traditional headdresses used by the indigenous people in festivities.…

SINCE it was first established in 1975, the World Pheasant Association (WPA) has grown into a highly focused, forward-thinking body of conservationists, with satellite groups around the world. In September 2025, the WPA will celebrate having successfully been protecting Galliformes for 50 years. A UK registered charity, The World Pheasant Association is committed to the conservation of Galliformes and the habitats they depend on, promoting their conservation worldwide through scientific research, population management, local community education and insitu projects. Initially founded by a small group of aviculturists interested in the conservation of pheasants and game birds, the charity’s remit has since expanded to encompass the megapodes, cracids, grouse, partridge, francolin and quail of the world. Conservation breeding groups manage studbooks and genetic bloodline records, and the scientific advisory committee assist…

CARSHALTON, WALLINGTON & MORDEN CBS – September 2, Pavilion, Rosehill Community Centre, Rosehill Park, Sutton, Surrey SM1 3HH, 7-9pm. Meeting. Enquiries: 0208 644 9363 or 07815 021 583. CHICHESTER CBS – August 26, Village Hall, School Lane, North Mundham, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 1LA, 7.30pm. Meeting. Raffle and refreshments available. Enquiries: 01243 551 093. COLCHESTER CBS – August 21, Stanway Village Main Hall, Villa Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 OHR, 7.45pm. Knock out competition. Enquiries: 07484 688 334. DARTFORD BIRD SOCIETY – August 20, Royal British Legion Hall, Devon Road, South Darenth, Kent DA4 9AB, 7.30pm. We have arranged a display by Jamb Owls who will be bringing various species along. New members welcome. Find us on Facebook. Enquiries: 07885 186 429. HAILSHAM & DISTRICT BIRD CLUB – August 27,…