Sad news this week: our respected and long-standing budgerigar correspondent Fred Wright has passed away suddenly, leaving the whole hobby in shock. Tributes to Fred from many of his admirers, and a personal memoir from the editor, naturally take precedence in this issue. Regular articles start with parrots and go on via zebra finches to (appropriately) budgies: a focus on the unusual melanistic spangle mutation and part two of our practical guide to club talks. On the cover is a gorgeous softbill: the Iberian magpie, and we learn all about this species and its close relative in Asia. Canary fans can enjoy expert comment on the Lizard, Raza and cinnamon varieties.

Sad news this week: our respected and long-standing budgerigar correspondent Fred Wright has passed away suddenly, leaving the whole hobby in shock. Tributes to Fred from many of his admirers, and a personal memoir from the editor, naturally take precedence in this issue. Regular articles start with parrots and go on via zebra finches to (a....