Softbills: beautiful, exciting, infuriating by turns, they include some of the world’s most beguiling species. Our cover article focuses on the current challenging year for softbill breeders and celebrates some of the knockout breeding achievements of our accomplished fanciers. Our canary writers remind us that once breeding is over there’s still lots to be done before raking in the rosettes at the shows… and all-rounder Dave Brown pens a welcome guide on how to repaint those breeding cages without a needless outlay of cash or perspiration! Plus: budgies (of course), finches of multiple varieties, expert parrot advice and a Who’s Who by top Irish fancy canary man John Dowling.

Softbills: beautiful, exciting, infuriating by turns, they include some of the world’s most beguiling species. Our cover article focuses on the current challenging year for softbill breeders and celebrates some of the knockout breeding achievements of our accomplished fanciers. Our canary writers remind us that once breeding is over t....