African exotics grab centre stage this week. On our cover is the zany but charismatic crested barbet, which looks as though it’s recovering from a bad night out yet is actually an intelligent, friendly and curious aviary subject! Altogether more cool is the black korhaan, a miraculously stylish bustard which – amazingly – is now in one of South Africa’s great collections and looking hot to bred; we report. News headlines are dominated by the sad but timely winding-up of the Canary Council, which has served the hobby brilliantly and now recognises that it’s time to move on. Feature treats: canary encounters with Bob Hodges and Jason Thomas; a love letter to celestial parrotlets; a top-level Bengalese bulletin; a vintage crop of reader photos; and a review of a fantastic new book on hybrids.

African exotics grab centre stage this week. On our cover is the zany but charismatic crested barbet, which looks as though it’s recovering from a bad night out yet is actually an intelligent, friendly and curious aviary subject! Altogether more cool is the black korhaan, a miraculously stylish bustard which – amazingly – is now in one of S....