Innholdsfortegnelse for January 21, 2026 i Cage & Aviary Birds

ZOOS & BIRDPARKS EARLIER THIS MONTH, two zoos completed their “annual stocktake” accounting for every mammal, bird, fish and invertebrate in their care. Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade – the UK's largest zoo and part of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) – has more than 245 species of animals and birds. 2025 was a big year for births at the zoo, adding to global conservation breeding programmes. This includes a newborn southern white rhino calf, two reticulated giraffe calves, a red panda cub and a domestic Bactrian camel. The tally also reflects important animal moves to different zoos across the UK and abroad as part of international conservation projects. The zoo transported boxer pupfish and eggs to Vienna Zoo as recent surveys have shown that the boxer pufferfish is likely Extinct-in-the-Wild.…

Dear [MP's name] I am writing to you as one of your constituents in the hope of securing an answer to my questions from a government minister. My name is ______________ and I live at ______________ . My phone number and email address are ______________ . The latest iteration of the Bird Gathering General Licence for England was made on December 8 2025 under The Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) (England) Regulations 2006. The General Licence itself makes no mention of the 14-Day Rule (as I shall call it). The 14-Day Rule appears in a separate document entitled Licence conditions: hold a gathering of poultry or other captive birds (passeriformes, columbiformes and ratites) -GOV.UK where at numbered condition 15 we read: “15. The licensee [i.e. the person who runs the event]…

Being open about showing and judging In the aftermath of a groundbreaking joint show in the North-East, Austin shares how the participating clubs have analysed the experience and already laid their plans for next time IT WAS interesting to read Dave Brown's recent comments about a show giving access to exhibitors – and novice exhibitors, in particular – the chance to ask questions and gain experience. (See Cage & Aviary Birds, December 17.) I agree entirely, and also with the editor's encouragement that more show societies should adopt this practice. It has been the policy of the North of England Gloster Club (NEGC) for many years now. It's ironic, then, that the timing of Dave's article should coincide with a radical rethink for the new combined Morpeth CBS and NEGC…

WITH striking black, white and sandybrown plumage and bright red eyes, the spur-winged lapwing or plover (Vanellus spinosus) is a handsome and distinctive wader. Its common name refers to the small, sharp, bony spike on the bend of its wing. This is mostly used during the breeding season, when the bird resolutely defends its nest. These are very vocal birds, with a piercing and repetitive call. It is a widespread wetland species which breeds around the eastern Mediterranean and from sub-Saharan West Africa to Arabia. It is common in Egypt along the banks of the Nile, in agricultural fields, marshes and near lakes. These lapwings can be found even in suburban and urban settings. Birds in Greece and Turkey are migratory, but elsewhere most are resident. Populations have declined in…

BILLY WEIR BILLY Weir, life president of the British Roller Canary Association, who reached his 100th birth-day in June, 2025, sadly passed away peacefully on November 28, reports Jim Stidworthy. Born on June 9, 1925, in Edinburgh, he grew up happily with his younger brother and sister. His father's passion for canaries, bred in an allotment off McDonald Road, inspired what would be one of the defining threads of Billy's life. From a young age, the world of birds, clubs and competitions captured his imagination. This early fascination matured into lifelong dedication and Billy became a respected and well-loved figure within the Scottish roller canary community. He served with commitment as treasurer of the Scottish Roller Canary Club and was esteemed as a judge. His contributions helped shape and sustain…

SHOW DATES SCOTTISH BB&MC the 2026 open show will be held on December 6 at the same venue as 2025: Chalmers Hall, Linlithgow Bridge, West Lothian EH49 7PW. Please contact the show secretary Dave Henderson (07555 202 963) for further information. SOUTHERN LIZARD CANARY CLUB the 2026 open show will be at a new venue of Weston Turville Village Hall, School Approach, Aylesbury HP22 5RW on November 21. Find out more at: southernlizard.co.uk or message the club's Facebook page. CLUB NOTICES BASILDON CBS announces the following meetings for 2026, all to start at 7.30pm: February 9, March 9 (cock bird table show), April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10 (social evening), September 14 (hen bird table show), October 12 (young stock show), November 22/29 (annual show, TBC),…

NO CONSULTATION, NO advance notice, no publicity, let's just change the law and let people work it out. Ah, sounds like our DEFRA. The fancy will be addressing the fallout from last month's updates to bird-gathering licences for a while. That's because the updates are absurdly complicated – but one thing does seem plain. The updates affect bird gatherings held in England. Bird gatherings in Wales and Scotland still use the general licence. Why is this? The explanation that seems obvious is that the vast majority of bird-flu outbreaks this time round have been in England, not Wales or Scotland. So we might conclude that once bird flu in England has receded, as it does each spring, then DEFRA will revert to the conditions of the former general licence. Should…

CANARIES HAPPY New Year, everyone! At the time of writing, I'm preparing my birds for their final outing of the show season at Beaumaris, for the North Wales YCC show. With sub-zero weather forecast, I'm keeping a few older birds at home rather than letting them face the rigours of the journey, as they are worth far more to me in the breeding room than they are on the show bench. That's a decision we all have to make for the later shows, particularly if our plan is to breed early in the coming springtime. Having said that, the latest nonsense out of DEFRA concerning only exhibiting our birds on a bi-weekly basis, beggars belief! Amateur hobbyist birdkeepers such as ourselves are an easy target, as is constantly being shown…

RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR CHESTER ZOO NEW FIGURES FROM the zoo show that 2,136,224 people visited in 2025, breaking all previous attendance records since the site opened to the public in 1931. Two major developments were launched last year: the Heart of Africa habitat, which is home to 57 highly threatened African species, and The Reserve, a hotel with 51 luxury lodges right where the animal and birdlife is. Conservation success also came in 2025 with eight Socorro dove chicks, a bird declared extinct in the wild in the 1970s. RSPB INCREASES REWARD FOR EAGLE INFO TO £20K THE RSPB ARE now offering £20,000 for information that leads to a conviction after the suspicious disappearance of three white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla). A previous reward of £10,000 was offered in December 2025…

ASI SIT here writing this on New Year's Day, it is the time of year for reflection. I have just fed the birds their morning softfood and ringed my 201st chick, so it's another good start to the breeding season. 2025 must go down as the most successful year to date in my 47 years of birdkeeping. I bred 253 colour budgerigars last year, won 31 challenge certificates, four BS best in show certificates and four CBS best-in-show awards. Not bad since I have only been keeping colour budgerigars since 2020. That success was mirrored with the number of fellow exhibitors wanting to purchase stock from me throughout the year following each show, so much so that I had few surplus birds going into this breeding season. I tend to…

A colourful start to the show season ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALIST BUDGERIGAR SOCIETIES THE TENTH combined annual members’ show of the Association of Specialist Budgerigar Societies (incorporating the Crested BC, Clearwing BBA, Rare Variety & Colour BS, Spangled BBA, Variegated BC & Colour Budgerigar) and the Lutino & Albino BS kick-started the show season in May 2025, as it was the first event of the year, reports Ghalib Al-Nasser, event organiser. On this occasion there was a slight increase in entry from last year to 138 birds from 15 exhibitors for Brian Reese and Maurice Roberts to judge. As usual there was a great, relaxing atmosphere and thankfully with good attendance at the AGM of the ASBS. We are all looking forward to next year's event at the same venue in…

CHICHESTER CBS – January 27, Village Hall, School Lane PO20 1LA, 7.30pm. AGM, alongside DVD screening, raffle and refreshments. Enquiries: 07765 333 895. DARTFORD BIRD SOCIETY – January 21, Royal British Legion Hall, Devon Road DA4 9AB, 7.30pm. Meeting will focus on the recent club show. Enquiries: 07885 186 429. HAILSHAM & DISTRICT BIRD CLUB – January 28, Union Corner Hall, Hawks Road BN27 1ND, 8pm. AGM: looking forward to seeing all club members. Enquiries: 07895 208 441. HIGH WYCOMBE CBS – January 21, Hazlemere Community Centre, Rose Avenue HP15 7UB, 8pm. AGM. Members please support and find out about the 2026 rulings on bird shows and exhibiting your birds. Enquiries: 07534 832 943. IPSWICH BS – January 22, Constable Memorial Hall, Gandish Road CO7 6TP, 7.45pm. Member of the…