What's in the issue

Parrots make fantastic companion birds and are also showing a resurgence on the show bench, where both lovebirds and cockatiels regularly shine before visitors and judges. In this final C&AB of 2025 we celebrate the whole of the parrot family with a colourful mix of articles on a monumental new parrot book, management of parrots, fancier interviews, the world’s charismatic blue macaws and a snapshot of what parrots have meant in the life of one experienced birdkeeper. Also: news on the latest bird-flu position and DEFRA’s needless complication of show applications. But also: regular bulletins on British hardbills and canaries, our monthly View from the North Downs, and a cluster of pretty special show reports. Happy Christmas - we’re back on January 7.