58 Bird Scene - Spring 2023

DR. DAVID WAUGH

NYASA LOVEBIRDS IN THE KAZA CONSERVATION AREA

BREEDING BLUE EARED GLOSSY

STARLINGS

RAY HOLLAND

MICE ROOFS AND BIRD ROOM CONSTRUCTION

ROSEMARY LOW

THE GLOSTER CANARY

CHARLIE CLARKE

NATIONAL EXHIBITION

LES RANCE

AS THINGS ARE KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH OTHER BIRD KEEPERS, SEEING OTHERS’ BREEDING RESULTS AND GENERALLY HAVING A CATCH-UP IS JUST ABOUT IMPOSSIBLE. WHY NOT TRY THE PSUK

FACEBOOK PAGE’S ‘COMMUNITY’ AREA?

POST SOME PICTURES, ASK FOR ADVICE, SHOW OFF YOUR SUCCESSES (AND FAILURES), LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU’RE KEEPING AND HOW THEY ARE GETTING ON. GIVE IT A TRY!’

INTRODUCTION

In the introduction to the Spring 2022 issue of Bird Scene I wrote ‘As we are now very much in the winter period, we are having to contend with some very stormy weather, with three named storms hitting the UK in five days, these are coming across the Atlantic powered by very strong winds in the jet stream. The first was Dudley, the second and most damaging certainly in my area was Eunice and then Franklin. Fortunately, I have glass fibre sheeting on my aviaries which is much stronger than plastic sheeting that does tend to harden over a few years and then

BY THE EDITOR

LES RANCE

WWW.THEPARROTSOCIETYUK.ORG LES.RANCE@THEPARROTSOCIETYUK.ORG

becomes brittle at which point it tends to get damaged by high winds.’ Thank goodness, those strong jet stream currents do not appear anywhere near as strong as in February 2022. This winter does seem a little colder than last year and in addition we are having to be very careful with the amount of electricity that we use due to the massive increase in costs compared to 2022. All I can say is ‘roll on spring’ and hope that it is a warm spring, which encourages our birds to start to breed.

In this issue, we have an article about Nyasa Lovebirds in the KAZA conservation area. An item entitled Mice, Roofs and Bird Room Construction by Rosemary Low plus an article on Budgerigars for Beginners and a very good selection of images taken by our Designer Neil Randle at the 2022 National Exhibition. So really quite a lot for you to read and hopefully pick up some pointers that may well assist you with whatever species of birds you currently maintain. This is now the fifty-eight edition of Bird Scene, how quickly eleven and a half years can pass when you are

working on a project – the first FREE on-line bird magazine produced in the UK. At 48 pages, this is quite a big read! Every time we post the Parrot Society monthly magazine, I cringe at the cost. Postal costs appear to have increased far faster than inflation and if The Royal Mail are not careful they will find that their income will reduce even further as people and businesses send less and less by conventional means. A price increase to 95p for a First Class letter became effective on 4th April 2022. Whatever happened to the Penny Black, if my maths are correct we are now being charged 228 times the cost when the first letters were delivered! With CPI, inflation now running around 10.1%, costs continue to rise. In fact, food inflation is at February 2023 17%, where will it all end. These costs obviously affect bird clubs when the show schedules have to be posted to potential exhibitors and equally it affects the exhibitors when they return their entries. In addition, how much longer will bird clubs be able to afford to post magazines to their members? This must be a great worry to many club officials. Fortunately, with an e-magazine we do not have this problem, or for that matter the cost of colour printing. Because of increases to the costs of both postage and printing, I am pleased that we decided to produce Bird Scene as a FREE e-magazine. We have learnt a great deal over the past

nearly twelve years about this way of communicating with bird enthusiasts and I am sure that this knowledge will become more and more valuable as we see further increases in costs to paper magazines. We are always happy to receive articles about the species that are being exhibited at The National and are very pleased to give publicity to the club supplying the information. Regular readers will know that Bird Scene has been produced to publicise The National Exhibition held each year (Covid-19 restrictions excepted) at our October Sale Day/Show at Stafford County Showground. This publication is also used to promote our Conservation efforts for threatened parrots in the wild. An archive of earlier editions of Bird Scene can be found on the Home Page of our website www. theparrotsocietyuk.org so if you would like to see earlier versions please do look at the Bird Scene archive.

… the Kavango Zambezi

Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), encompassing five soutahern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

1. Nyasa Lovebird

2. Map of the geographical distribution of the Nyasa Lovebird.

DR DAVID WAUGH CORRESPONDENT, LORO PARQUE FUNDACIÓN

NYASA LOVEBIRDS IN THE KAZA

CONSERVATION AREA

In the southern part of Africa there is a huge (519,000 km2) area dedicated since 2011 to help bolster harmony between humans and wildlife, with a particular focus on nature tourism. This is known as the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), encompassing five soutahern African countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Within this area, the Loro Parque Fundación supports projects for the conservation of lions,

their prey species and the mosaic of habitats that sustain them. These habitats contain a myriad of other plant and animal species which stand to benefit from the conservation efforts, and these include five native species of parrots. Three are of the genus Poicephalus: Meyer’s Parrot (P. meyeri), the Brown-necked Parrot (P. fuscicollis suahelicus) and the Brown-

Researchers have found that the presence of Nyasa Lovebirds is positively associated with the size of mopane trees, and submit that large, so-called ‘cathedral’ mopane trees are indispensable for the species…

headed Parrot (P. cryptoxanthus), and two of the genus Agapornis, the threatened Black-cheeked Lovebird (A. nigrigenis), and lastly the Nyasa or Lilian’s Lovebird (A. lilianae).

3. Cathedral mopane forest in south Zambia.

4. A camera trap captures the moment a Nyasa Lovebird defends its nest against a Smith’s Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi).

Popular in aviculture, until recently the Nyasa Lovebird was considered common but is now classified in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List as ‘Near Threatened’ in response to the range of threats the wild population faces. The species naturally occurs in south-eastern Africa, with approximately 60% of the geographical distribution located within the KAZA boundaries in Zambia and Zimbabwe, although the proportion in KAZA of the total population (estimate of less than 20,000 individuals) might not be the same. The key habitat for the Nyasa Lovebird is mopane woodland (Colophospermum mopane), especially during the breeding season, but unsustainable harvesting of mopane trees for charcoal production and timber is having a negative effect.

Popular in aviculture, until recently the Nyasa Lovebird was considered common but is now classified in the IUCN Red List as ‘Near Threatened’ in response to the range of threats the wild population faces.

Researchers have found that the presence of Nyasa Lovebirds is positively associated with the size (height and girth) of mopane trees, and submit that large, socalled ‘cathedral’ mopane trees are indispensable for the species (Mzumara et al., 2019), being its target nesting site. Nyasa Lovebirds appear to have gone from sites of previous occurrence to the west of the Lower Zambezi National Park, and where ‘cathedral’ mopane woodland no longer occurs. With the creation of Lake Kariba, of a large section of the Zambezi valley was flooded. Thus it is clear that conservation efforts within KAZA, and also outside of it, should focus on the protection of sites

containing large mopane trees, but other threats also exist which also need to be tackled. Information on the biology of wild Nyasa Lovebirds will inform some of the actions necessary.

For example, Nyasa Lovebirds sometimes feed on maize, sorghum

and millet seeds, bringing them into conflict with the small-scale farmers affected. Recent research provides information on the wild diet of the lovebirds in terms of what they eat, in what season, and where (Mzumara et al., 2018). Observations of lovebirds feeding on different plant categories

show that they are mostly feeding in trees (61.6%), less amongst grasses (23.1%), even less in agricultural crops (11.5%) and few in herbs (3.8%). They were observed to eat 30 different plant species. As regards the distinct parts of plants that were observed to be eaten, adding up the months of the year and the different plant species reveals that, as a proportion, seeds constitute more than half.

Coinciding with the breeding season (February to May), consumption of different plant parts is more diverse during the wet season (December to June), although grass seeds were the main food source in these months. Nutritional analysis of preferred foods shows that grass seeds have a relatively high protein and energy content. In the wet season the lovebirds prefer to forage in grassy wetland, but in the dry season they mainly forage in grasslands with tree cover. Based on this information, deliberate early season (before May–

5. Hyparrhenia seeds feature in the diet of A. lilianae.

6. Nyasa Lovebird.

7. A group of Nyasa Lovebirds feeding on the ground.

June) burning of grasslands is not recommended because it reduces grass seed availability.

Other reported threats are predation by invasive species and unintentional mortality from pools poisoned by hunters to catch larger birds. There is also concern that trapping for local sale in Zimbabwe and Zambia, as

well as the international cage-bird trade is unsustainable. In 2018/2019 it was discovered in nearby South Africa that, of 169 species of cagebirds available for sale, 147 species were non-native, and that the Nyasa Lovebird was the 13th most traded species. Conservation strengthening in KAZA is intended to help create a better future for the Nyasa Lovebird.

8. Flock of Nyasa Lovebirds in tree-top.

9. Nyasa Lovebirds drinking at a water source.

10.

References

Mzumara, T. I., Martin, R. O., Tripathi, H., Phiri, C., & Amar, A. (2019). Distribution of a habitat specialist: Mopane woodland structure determines occurrence of Near Threatened Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae. Bird Conservation International, 29(3), 413-422.

Mzumara, T. I., Perrin, M. R., & Downs, C. T. (2018). Feeding ecology of Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Ostrich, 89(3), 233-239.

Nyasa Lovebirds are successfully kept under human care.

RAY HOLLAND

BREEDING

BLUE EARED GLOSSY STARLINGS

At one of the Stafford shows I managed to buy five Glossy Starlings. One was a Purple Glossy which turned out to be a cock and the rest Blue-eared Glossy Starlings, some of which appeared to be slightly larger and the others smaller with a greener sheen.

They were all housed together for some months in a fairly large aviary with Sumatran Laughing Thrushes. The Laughing Thrushes were quite well behaved with the Starlings, but the latter would often squabble amongst themselves and pick on various individuals in turn. It soon

became apparent that I had a dominant pair, the cock being slightly larger than the hen. The two of them would bow and scrape to each other making little squeaks and for the most part being very friendly, although on occasions even these two would squabble.

I feed them on standard softbill food, pellets of various types and flavours, chopped fruit, sweetcorn, wax moth larvae and mealworms. For some reason they do not appear to be very interested in crickets which surprised me.

in at a slight angle and was the one they chose to lay their first clutch of three eggs in, in late May. Dried grasses, evergreen leaves, moss and feathers were used to build the nest.

I feed them on standard softbill food, pellets of various types and flavours, chopped fruit, sweetcorn, wax moth larvae and mealworms. For some reason they do not appear to be very interested in crickets which surprised me. All three eggs hatched, but how

I was fairly confident I had a breeding pair, so gave them an aviary to themselves approximately 16ft x 5ft covered except for the end which is open to the elements and faces east. Two nest boxes were provided one open fronted and the other a Parakeet type with bob hole – this one was put

long incubation had taken I could not be certain since the young were very quiet in the nest, but you knew something was happening by the constant coming and going of the parents.

Upon inspection I found three very small chicks so increased the feed to three or four hour intervals for the first

week using mini mealworms to start with and later added wax moth larvae. After about ten days the parents were observed picking up nesting material, particularly feathers and from previous experience this was an ominous sign of something going wrong, the parents wanting to nest again!!

All three eggs hatched, but how long incubation had taken I could not be certain since the young were very quiet in the nest, but you knew something was happening by the constant coming and going of the parents.

After about ten days the parents were observed picking up nesting material, particularly feathers and from previous experience this was an ominous sign of something going wrong, the parents wanting to nest again!!

I checked the box and could find only one healthy youngster, about ten days old, the others had just disappeared. They may have been covered by the fresh nesting material or just thrown out of the nest box. At this time we were experiencing an unusually prolonged spell of really hot weather and this, together with a plentiful supply of live food may have been the spur to produce again, before finishing the first clutch.

I decided to be positive and took the remaining youngster away for hand rearing which we successfully achieved using a hospital cage with low heat, the youngster being placed

I decided to be positive and took the remaining youngster away for hand rearing which we successfully achieved using a hospital cage with low heat…

in a plastic tub with paper towels on the bottom to give grip and part cloth covering to replicate the darkness of nest box conditions. Feeding by syringe and tweezers every 3-4 hours with the last feed about 10.00pm and starting again at 6.00am – not a particularly good regime for those

who still have to work I might add. All went well, the youngster got used to the routine after the first 2 or 3 reluctant efforts and was always very excited at the sight of a wax worm. In addition mini mealworms and Orlux hand mix were used without difficulty and after about another two weeks the bird was fully feathered and trying to fly.

In the meantime the parents went down again, laying three eggs; the weather this time was getting back to something more like a normal British summer. In due course two eggs hatched and the parents fed the young very well, almost competing to feed the most food. I would say that the hen was the best, taking bunches of mealworms at one go – the cock usually one at a time.

After what seemed to be an age the first youngster appeared at the bobhole, poking its head out to be fed and at about four weeks both fledged. I had expected them to appear sooner; they were a duller version of the parents and could fly well at this early stage. The young are still with their parents in December and will have to be separated well before the next breeding season starts in the Spring.

The two parent reared birds are surprisingly confident and tame, they come out into the service passage way every day for exercise and to pinch as much live food as they can get from my food trolley. They appear fearless and fly at great speed about and around me – typical Starlings, real clowns and very entertaining. Strangely enough the hand reared one from the first round is quite the opposite, not a bit tame but just as hungry.

Due to enforced inactivity (knee op) I was very late in getting all my birds’ flights ready for the breeding season. The Glossy’s nest box was not put in until early May and not as high up as usual, normally near the roof at an angle some 7’ up. It did not make any difference, they began adding to the nesting material and after about 14 days I knew the Hen

After what seemed to be an age the first youngster appeared at the bob-hole, poking its head out to be fed and at about four weeks both fledged.

was laying green/blue eggs, this time three. In the past, when obviously younger, the pair would have four or even five eggs and rear them all. However as they age three seems to be the norm. After about 14 days the eggs hatch and both parents will feed the young with mini-mealworms, waxworms and crickets which seem to be the mainstay for the fledglings. The general diet for adults and their youngsters is softbill food, Bevo,

Beaphar, Bogena, Softbill Pellets both fruit type and insect varieties. They also like plenty of fresh fruit, almost any is acceptable – they are not fussy feeders.

Not too long after the youngsters fledged the parents started to take in new nesting material and restart the breeding cycle again, whilst continuing to feed the first round youngsters.

Not so clear thinking on my part and lack of aviary space caused the second round to fail when, given better management, they should have survived. The first round youngsters remained in the flight (my mistake!). The nest box should have been replaced or, at least thoroughly cleaned out, before signs of nesting again began (mistake).

I did refresh the nest box when the second round young were about 7 days old but it was a messy job. Although two of the young grew and feathered well and even fledged, they were not healthy and nor did they leave the nest box when they should have.

I believe a combination of the aforementioned and the nest box being slightly too small, i.e. 7½“ x 7½“

The three birds are still in the flight together – the only difference being the black eyes as opposed to the bright creamy yellow of the parents.

x 13” and not at a great enough angle were also a contributory factor (mistake). So after what should have been six youngsters only the first round survived to be good healthy birds.

Better news from another of my three pairs of Blue Eared Glossys. I retained some youngsters from breeding four years ago and this is the first time they have attempted to breed. Strangely only one egg but this was successfully hatched and reared. This youngster being an ‘only child’ so to speak is a really strong and healthy individual. So after all these years I am pleased with the result. The three birds are still in the flight together –the only difference being the black eyes as opposed to the bright creamy yellow of the parents. Adult eye colour of these birds does vary slightly, some being more orange yellow.

Not too long after the youngsters fledged the parents started to take in new nesting material and restart the breeding cycle again, whilst continuing to feed the first round youngsters.

One rather endearing feature of the one youngster family is that they can all catch with aplomb. At feeding time they come out of their flight down the corridor to where I prepare the food and wait on the step. They are rather like a cordon of England cricketers in the slips – seeing who can jump higher than the next to catch the thrown mealworms. This little exercise goes on for some minutes and seems to be enjoyed by everyone, most of all me.

One final point on feeding these birds, it seems I may be in the minority here but I continue feeding live food through the winter, although I do try to reduce the amount. I find the insects are a good carrier for the various supplements I give to my birds throughout the year, such as Insectivorous Feast and Daily Essentials 3 for my frugivorius birds like Barbets and Bulbuls.

Most of my birds are through the moult now and look in excellent condition. I can thoroughly recommend them, they are real characters, rewarding and great fun to keep. I am keeping two flights empty in the optimistic hope I will have a successful breeding season with somewhere safe to put all those youngsters. I wish!

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MICE ROOFS AND BIRD ROOM CONSTRUCTION

To protect food and water from vermin, weather and the droppings of wild birds (increasing the likelihood of disease being transmitted), it is essential to have an indoor section…

Mice and rats are extremely resourceful creatures. If there is a way to get into our aviaries and bird rooms, they will find it. This means that waging war on rodents must commence literally before the foundations of the building are laid. In fact it should start with the planning. If you decide to build a wooden bird room or perhaps convert a double garage which is partly constructed from wood, it will be almost impossible to exclude vermin. Gnawing

through wood is so easy for mice. Once they enter it will be extremely difficult to exclude them. If you must use timber, take the following precautions:

1. Stand the building on a concrete base.

2. Be aware that insulating the bird room is asking for trouble. Of course it helps to prevent heat loss but it is better to spend a little more on heating the room (if heat is necessary) than living with mice breeding in the cavities between the two walls. I know because this happened to me. After two mice-

The glasswool insulating material was deemed perfect for mouse nestmaking. The only solution was to rip out the inner wall, including the roof lining, and leave the building permanently without lining.

free years, the mice moved in. The glasswool insulating material was deemed perfect for mouse nestmaking. The only solution was to rip out the inner wall, including the roof lining, and leave the building permanently without lining. The mice moved out. But that was not the end of the problem. They moved into the other building which was lined, and took up residence in the roof. A nightmare scenario! The patter of feet which I was hearing daily were those of mice. There was no alternative but to take the roof off and construct an entirely new one. That was four

years ago and my bird room is now mouse-free. One advantage was that with the new roof I did away with the skylight windows. Its inclusion had been a mistake because it caused condensation to drip from the roof to the floor.

3. If you have a wooden building, nail tin plate or aluminium, inside and out, to the height of 1ft (31cm). This precaution will be useless if there are any holes through which mice can enter. Check the point where electricity cables leave the building, cover ventilator and extractor outlets with small mesh and ensure that all doors and windows are tight-fitting. Also remember that if you have pop-holes to allow your birds access to outdoor flights, mice will enter if they have access to the flights. Welded mesh should be buried around the perimeter of the flights to prevent this.

For preference, don’t build a bird room from wood. Brick is much more expensive but if you can afford it, brick or breeze blocks are ideal materials. You might also consider obtaining, second-hand, the kind of prefabricated cabins which are used on building sites, for example. As long as there is no wood in their construction!

Precautions

If you have outdoor aviaries and you feed your birds in the flight part, mice will be almost impossible to eliminate. You might also attract rats. To protect food and water from vermin, weather and the droppings of wild birds (increasing the likelihood of disease being transmitted), it is essential to have an indoor section, either an enclosed shelter or a cage inside a building, where the birds are fed. This increases the length of time

If you have a wooden building, nail tin plate or aluminium, inside and out, to the height of 1ft (31cm)

it will take mice to find a food supply, although it is not guaranteed to keep them out if wood is used to construct shelter or building.

There are other precautions that you can take to discourage mice from finding your garden attractive. If you feed the wild birds, clear up any uneaten food before nightfall. If you keep rabbits or other pets that have a dry food, remove any dry food at night. Finally, do not discourage your neighbour’s cat from visiting your garden at nightfall. Generally speaking, once a cat has discovered it cannot reach the birds in your

Generally speaking, once a cat has discovered it cannot reach the birds in your aviaries, it will lose interest in them - but if there are mice about it will return night after night.

aviaries, it will lose interest in thembut if there are mice about it will return night after night. I would strongly advise that when planning your aviaries, buy enough welded mesh to double wire all surfaces that are accessible to cats and owls. It might

seem like an expensive exercise but this will prevent deaths from injuries by night marauders.

Also, with the increase in Sparrowhawks in gardens, it will prevent these pests from attacking your birds. Another tip is to grow climbers such as passionflower, honeysuckle and clematis over the top and sides of the flights. Sparrowhawks are now so numerous, even in city gardens, that every step should be taken to prevent them diving on the aviaries. Even if they cannot reach the birds, the shock can cause birds to desert eggs or young.

Eliminating mice

The trap is the most environmentally friendly form of elimination. But does it work? At the risk of displeasing mouse trap manufacturers, I have to say that I have never caught

a single mouse in the metal traps that catch mice alive. I am told that wooden ones are more successful. Obviously traps can be used only in bird rooms where there are no birds loose. They can be used in aviaries only if they can be placed inside a box and if no small birds are present which could enter the box.

The traditional type of spring trap, usually baited with cheese, can be successful - assuming you are not squeamish about removing victims. Note also that mice absolutely love chocolate and this can be the best bait of all. Be warned that some very cheap wooden spring traps are almost impossible to set. I once tried a plastic spring-trap which was very easy to set. I soon found it had a major disadvantage. The spring was not strong enough. The mice would be trapped but not killed. I found mice trapped by the tail or the foot and being too soft-hearted to see any animal suffer, I would release these victims alive.

The newspapers often feature advertisements for ultrasonic mouse deterrents. I have not tried them since I have been assured by two people who have that they are not effective. Members’ experiences on this method would be welcome.

The obvious alternative to traps is poison. I greatly dislike the use of poison since it can get into the food chain and because death is not swift. Presumably it could also poison a cat if a cat caught a mouse which had eaten poison. I look on poison as a

The obvious alternative to traps is poison. I greatly dislike the use of poison since it can get into the food chain and because death is not swift.

last resort. However, to deal with rats and, in some situations, with mice, there seems to be no alternative. The mouse poison which you can buy in a hardware store is unlikely to be effective over the long term, since mice will eventually become immune to it. It is therefore advisable to contact the vermin control department of the local council. On one occasion I saw a rat in my garden and a very helpful man from the Council arrived with some blocks of poison placed inside small cardboard cartons. There is no charge for this

service. If you as much as catch a glimpse of a rat, call the council immediately. Do not leave nest-boxes in position in outdoor aviaries all year unless you close the entrance by nailing wood over it. If a rat enters the aviary and finds a bird roosting inside, it will kill it and you are likely to find a headless victim.

If you place mouse poison in your bird room, don’t think all you have to do is to put it in a suitable place and wait for the mouse population to crash. Now your work begins. On the first and succeeding nights of poison use in a bird room, sweep the floor, clean the cage trays, etc, and remove every food container. If they can feed on seed, they will not take the poison. Mice are so resourceful that they can learn to feed during the day but offering them only poison at night will usually solve the problem.

LES RANCE

THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Long-term bird enthusiasts will remember The National Exhibitions held at The Birmingham NEC and run by Cage & Aviary Birds prior to 2003, yes twenty years ago! The Parrot Society decided in 2007 that we would try to rebuild the event at Stafford where we hold our successful hobbyist breeder Bird Sale event in October. It was an excellent decision and the event has

The date of the next National Exhibition is on Sunday 1st October 2023.

gone from strength to strength despite Covid-19, which had a large impact on many events and general living.

In 2022 The UK Gouldian Finch club and the English Cinnamon Canary club joined us and I understand that they both experienced a good day. As the 2020 National Exhibition had to be cancelled due to Coronavirus, I was pleased that

we managed to run a National Exhibition this October. Now that we can start holding shows again at Stafford, please remember that The National Exhibition for the Exhibition of Show birds is held in the Sandylands Centre and the Argyle Centre. We use these same Centres for our Help Bird Keepers Shows. The date of the next National Exhibition is on Sunday 1st October 2023.

A large number of hobbyist-bred stock always finds new homes from the buyers who come in large numbers to our events. The National Exhibition is the leading and most popular bird show held in this country for hobbyist bird breeders, not just because of the sales tables but also the Exhibition that is held in the Argyle and Sandylands Centres. There is something for

everyone available from the 60+ traders who so generously support this event, especially from our sponsor Johnston & Jeff Ltd the leading UK seed supplier.

This year the exhibition in the Argyle

The National Exhibition is the leading and most popular bird show held in this country for hobbyist bird breeders, not just because of the sales tables but also the Exhibition that is held in the Argyle and Sandylands Centres.

continues to receive plenty of entries, may this be the case for many years to come. These enthusiasts work so hard to construct the staging from mid-day on the Saturday and take in many entries in the late afternoon and Saturday evening. This judged event will be as popular as ever in the future, with many high-class birds

glass, rose bowl has been donated by Johnston & Jeff for best bird in Show and by The Parrot Society for the best junior exhibit, their generous donations for these valuable awards is always very much appreciated. Cage and Aviary Birds give the Exhibition a special supplement in their publication so that all their readers are aware of which clubs to contact to enter their

Again, Neil Randle our magazine designer took over a 1,000 images on the day so that we have plenty of images for the next twelve months. Please do enjoy the pictures on the following pages. In 2023, the Show will be held on Sunday 1st October and will follow similar lines to the 2022 event but more use will be made of the Prestwood Centre to house the stands of such supporters as The Australian Finch

Society, The Bengalese Fanciers Association, and The Waxbill Finch Society. Within the two exhibition halls, there is always a great buzz of chatter and excitement, it is always a pleasure just to stand there and absorb the environment and listen to people enjoying themselves and promoting their hobby.

…more use will be made of the Prestwood Centre to house the stands of such supporters as The Australian Finch Society, The Bengalese Fanciers Association, and The Waxbill Finch Society.

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GLOSTER CANARY THE

CHARLIE CLARKE

The Gloster fancy as we know it today is the result of continual work of many fanciers who have over the years continued to build on the original ideas of the early fanciers.

The Gloster Fancy continues to thrive today, we have many top Specialist Societies all putting on very good shows the standard of the Gloster gets better by the year

Since the conception of the Gloster in 1925 it has gone through many different transformations, we have to thank Mrs Rogerson who first brought them to the attention of Mr A.W.Smith. She had bred the original birds from the smallest Crested Rollers and Border canaries which were available, the birds that came from these pairings were very different from the birds we see today.

As we know the Gloster Canary comes in two types, the “Corona” which is the crested bird, and the “Consort” which has the plain head. The early bred birds were always short in the crest, very thin and long. Most were bred from mainly buff birds which caused many problems.

In the early years of the Gloster there were several strong areas of

As the quantity of fanciers keeping Glosters increased the amount and quality of birds coming available continued to grow and improve.

support round the country, including Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and East Anglia. Over the next fifty years the development of the Gloster gathered pace, the early fanciers worked hard to improve the type quite often disregarding feather quality. During these years you were lucky to have a specialist Gloster judge at the local C.B.S.shows quite often the birds were judged by the Any Other Variety judge. As the quantity of fanciers keeping Glosters increased the amount and quality of birds coming available continued to grow and

improve. During this stage the Gloster was really taking off, there seemed to be specialist clubs popping up everywhere it was at this time the “Gloster Convention” was formed to help co-ordinate the wishes of the Specialist Societies it was at one of these meetings Mr Charles Minjoodt presented the pictorial model which is still in use today.

The Gloster Fancy continues to thrive today, we have many top Specialist Societies all putting on very good shows the standard of the Gloster gets better by the year, combining

We are truly international in our outlook the standard of Glosters world wide is a credit to the fancy.

both type and feather quality. We are truly international in our outlook the standard of Glosters world wide is a credit to the fancy. It is amazing that from what was a very small beginning through dedication and hard work the Gloster Canary has become one of the strongest sections within the hobby. Like all varieties we try to make the hobby enjoyable and welcome newcomers to join us in what is a very enjoyable hobby.

Early Glosters

The Gloster Fancy specialist Society supports the National Show organised by the Parrot Society at Staffordshire County Show Ground on Sunday the 1st October 2023.

For details of how to join the Gloster Fancy Specialist Society contact the secretary:-

Mr Steve Jones, on 01785- 822533

BRIAN LEES PROMOTIONS AVIARY JACKETS

EMBROIDERY – MAIL ORDER

BIRD AVIARY COAT £25

PRESS STUDS TWO SIDE POCKETS

L XL 2XL

NAVY 5 5 5 IN STOCK

AVIARY JACKETS £15

S M L

NAVY - 5 -

GREEN 2 - - IN STOCK

ROYAL BLUE 4 -

GREY - 5 -

Office - 01896 870364 / Mobile – 07801 297806

The Bird Ring Company

We are now stocking Capri Blue Rings for 2023 – Order yours today!

The Bird Ring Company is a family run business, launched at the begining of 2021 located in West Sussex.

We have been bird keepers for 20 years and understand the importance of quality leg rings with a fast turnaround to meet the customers needs.

Every ring order is custom designed and laser engraved. A swift turnaround will see your order delivered 1st class with tracking service.

Pricing is competitive and simplistic. Rings are divided into 2 price brackets; 2.7mm to 8mm and 9mm to 25mm with a flat rate regardless of quantity. This is particularly attractive to the small hobby breeder.

We are always here to answer any questions you may have so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

RETIREMENT SALEPAYMENT: CHEQUE. POSTAL ORDER. BANK PAYMENT.

NO CARD MACHINE DUE TO RETIREMENT ORDERS IN TURN. POST/PACKING £5 ALTHOUGH NOW RETIRED ANY CLUB REQUESTS FOR EMBROIDERED JACKETS/FLEECES ETC. COULD BE ATTENDED TO

1, HENRY BALLANTYNE PLACE, WALKERBURN, SCOTLAND EH43 6AH

07949 999 815 / info@thebirdringcompany.com / www.thebirdringcompany.com

Unit 1a, 16 Arundel Road, Worthing, BN13 3EG.

OUR BRAND NEW CONURE MIX

Our new Conure Mix has been developed alongside a breeder, with specific requirements of Conures in mind. The species-specific blend contains 24 ingredients, making this high-quality mix nutritionally balanced and engaging. The wide variety of colours, textures, tastes, and smells provides endless enrichment for your Conures. Feed with fresh fruit and vegetables or our Fruit, Nut & Veg Mix.

the balanced and engaging. The wide variety of colours, textures, tastes, Fruit,

Composition:

Yellow millet, naked oats, small dark striped sunflower seed, sa ower seed, dried apricots, red dari, red millet, white dari, hempseed, white sunflower seed, paddy rice, wheat, buckwheat, coconut, plain canary seed, banana chips, pumpkin seed, pine nuts, peanuts, diced pineapple, flaked maize, pu ed wheat, flaked peas and chillies.

Benefits:

24 Ingredients for Enrichment

Nutritionally Balanced

Cleaned to 99.9% Purity

High in Calcium

Suitable for: Small Conures, Large Conures, Kakariki, Rosellas, Senegals, Quakers, Poicephalus and Meyer’s Johnston & Je Ltd.

Please note, Johnston & Je ’s foods are only available through retailers or online. Please contact us to find your nearest stockists or for more information.

Baltic Buildings, Gateway Business Park, Gilberdyke, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU15 2TD

T: 01430 449444 • E: mail@johnstonandje .co.uk • www.johnstonandje .co.uk

Johnston & Je Ltd @johnstonandje @johnstonandje