The strange but elegant green catbird is our cover star this week: a stocky, intelligent softbill rather like a jay but all green. It’s one of a family from Australia and the surrounding region and – like the Oz finches – has proved popular in captivity when available. Our profile reveals the life history and breeding management of these beguiling birds: once seen, never forgotten. A wealth of more familiar “exotics” support the catbird this week: birds such as purple glossy starling, Pekin robin and various thrushes have all been bred in the UK this year; and we also report on the seriously rare collared laughingthrush which has made one breeder’s year. Also this week: breeding better whites, by Border champ Stuart Mason; dealing with budgie parasites; aviary frameworks; British hardbills; birds’ hearts; Birmingham rollers and the latest from the North Downs of Kent!

The strange but elegant green catbird is our cover star this week: a stocky, intelligent softbill rather like a jay but all green. It’s one of a family from Australia and the surrounding region and – like the Oz finches – has proved popular in captivity when available. Our profile reveals the life history and breeding management of these beguili....