“Bird brain”? It used to be an insult, but now scientists reckon there’s more to smarts than head size – and that a lot of birds, not only the well-known crow and parrot tribes, show an impressive learning capacity. How so? Because their neurons work three times as hard as ours. So before you revive any of the old dim-as-a-chicken style gags, make sure you read our cover story. Elsewhere, we’re big on native softbills this week, with an in-depth study of the beautiful blackbird and a review of how commercial livefood has changed the game. There’s plenty on type canaries, including a tough reader question on Fifes, and strong support from native finches, waterbirds and a North-East perspective. Plus, if you didn’t know already, the Gloster canary turns one hundred this year.

“Bird brain”? It used to be an insult, but now scientists reckon there’s more to smarts than head size – and that a lot of birds, not only the well-known crow and parrot tribes, show an impressive learning capacity. How so? Because their neurons work three times as hard as ours. So before you revive any of the old dim-as-a-chicken style gag....