Cage and Aviary Birds #6437 23rd September 2026

More moving tributes to the respected and loved birdkeeper Jack Lloyd this week. And how the hobby he loved continues to flourish. Just read the potted 60-year history of the Gloster canary body IGBA – packed with achievements but full of ambition for the breed’s future. Budgerigar maestro Alan Fretten passes on the accumulated wisdom of his 50 years learning practical genetics - gold dust for those of us who find the subject tricky. On a broader scale we profile Asia’s beautiful barbet species and home in on that little tinker the coppersmith. Fabulous birds with perhaps one drawback: their voice. And we consider canary priorities for this bit of the calendar, the temptations of a new birdroom, some products to try, and a duck to admire. Plus updates from the North-East and a rather feathery zebra birdroom!