Cage & Aviary Birds

Cage & Aviary Birds is written by bird experts for bird fanciers and is packed with club, show and bird related news, advice, birds for sale and comment. Established in 1902, Cage & Aviary Birds provides a wealth of practical advice and tips from the top names in the bird world, plus opinion, controversy, species and hobbyist profiles and nostalgia.

Applications open for 2026's Stewart Pyper funding

ZSL 200: Whipsnade & London Zoos take on arty world record

QUOTE of the WEEK

Also in the news…

Bird-flu regs force sanctuary to cut back

DEFRA credits fancy's help over new flu guidance

Bird flu housing order lifted across Ireland

THE CANARY COLUMN

Progress – but still a work in progress • NCA president ROBB BROWN summarises an online meeting held on May 5 to discuss sales and show licences. This had positive elements, but serious issues remain over the unworkable “lock-down” requirements

Editor's Letter

Cage & Aviary Birds

A peculiar pagoda • Earlier this year, reader PATRICK FLEMING initiated a discussion concerning an unusually plumaged pagoda starling (aka Brahminy starling or myna, Sturnia pagodarum). Cage & Aviary Birds editor ROB INNES and softbill specialist GARY BRALSFORD expressed their views in the email exchange below. Further opinion and experience is now welcome

One thing Two things at a time • The story of DAVE BROWN's 2026 breeding season so far is that it's overlapping with a major birdroom rebuild. A bit too complicated? Yes, but simplicity is just around the corner!

A milder April brings benefits • Last year, freakishly high spring temperatures spelled bad news for Andy's first round, but so far 2026 looks more promising – and that includes his top trio of quality birds

A colourful community the whole year round • Variety is the key to stocking a garden aviary, which is often the liveliest way to keep birds. DAVE BROWN gives, appropriately, a variety of advice in response to a reader request

Special attention for special birds • In practice, MARK JONES regards all his birds as ‘special’, in that they are individuals with quite different needs and preferences – and that especially applies now, at breeding time

Four months old and fabulous • Late last year, SUSIE KEARLEY made friends with Pippin, a baby Humboldt penguin who'd been born at Cotswold Wildlife Park, and talked to her allocated keeper Laura. Here she explains how Laura hand-reared Pippin – and why it was necessary in the first place

A basic guide to habitat • For many species in aviculture, success depends on how well their captive environment matches the wild one they evolved to live in. PAUL DONOVAN has the scientific background

Wetland wonderbirds • With the UK scene relative static just now, GARY BRALSFORD is easily distracted by exotica elsewhere, including candidates for Most Leery Plumage and Longest Pinkest Legs

Club News • Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that's all about you

Club roundup • Show reports, dates, club notices

CAPTION THIS…

What's on this Week Club meetings nationwide • Includes sales held by clubs to benefit their members. For other sales, please book an advert