What’s the link between American gangsters and flamingos? We reveal the answer this week, in a quirky overview of the fabulous flamingo family. We find out which part of a flamingo the Ancient Romans considered a gourmet dish, how flamingos got in on colour-feeding before canaries did, and what happened to a famous explorer when he wading into a flamingo lake. Oh, another question we answer: which leg does a flamingo stand on when it goes to sleep? Back with canaries, we drop in on the Belgians, muse over the challenges of keeping old and rare breeds, and consider the question of new colours in traditional varieties. Plus: British, finches, softbills and a moving eulogy to the great parrot expert Harry Sissen.

What’s the link between American gangsters and flamingos? We reveal the answer this week, in a quirky overview of the fabulous flamingo family. We find out which part of a flamingo the Ancient Romans considered a gourmet dish, how flamingos got in on colour-feeding before canaries did, and what happened to a famous explorer when he wading i....