What's in the issue

As much as any cage bird, parrots benefit from informed preparation in the build-up to breeding. And this week Loro Parque’s Raphael Zamora gives a masterclass in tailored prep - always treating every bird according to its individuality. Absorbing, even if you don’t breed parrots! But breeding success doesn’t always follow intensive planning. Just ask George Loines, who last year bred three marvellous thrush hybrids without meaning to! We hear how it came about - a reminder that there’s always something new in birdkeeping. A feast for canary fans includes updates and advice on Lizards, Borders, Fifes and Yorkshires. And we have informed opinion from David McCool on bird clubs and Dave Brown on how to approach new challenges - plus news, Club News and other regular columns