What's in the issue

Feral pigeons: some people love them for being silly-tame, others despise them as “flying rats”. Properly understood, they are fascinating birds, which have lived alongside townsfolk for thousands of years. Just like fancy or racing pigeons, they come in many beautiful colours, and with a bit of insight their lives should be of interest to any birdkeeper. “Town pigeons” star on our cover this week! Elsewhere, we start 2026 strongly with canaries and focus on building a new shed, the Border fancy and an insight into successful breeding. We meet a fast-moving novice budgie man and a top zebra finch breeder from Spain. Plus we learn how not to do it (with ill-prepared show birds) and how to do it (with the amazing Avian Draw Christmas raffle results). Happy New Year!