After feeling rather indifferent to the anthracite in its early days, FRED WRIGHT now believes this new variety is showing enough promise to merit being taken up more widely. Here he sums up what has been learned so far about its inheritance.
ANTHRACITE is a new variety that has attracted considerable interest in the fancy. These birds are in the hands of very few people at the moment and I am not entirely sure that we know everything about them. For the past couple of years, there have been some great examples at the Budgerigar Society (BS) Club Show in Doncaster, so it’s about time we collated all of the information we know, share it and wait for a response from some of the fanciers who have been breeding them in recent years. (Since I have never bred anthracites myself, I have based this article on information from the celebrated German fancier Gerd Bleicher’s experience with the variety, but any fanciers who have been breeding anthracites themselves are encouraged to get in touch.)
This story is from the January 17, 2018 edition of Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 17, 2018 edition of Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Intensively studied, the gem-like Anna’s hummingbird is a welcome visitor to the gardens of America’s most populous state: California. Bill Naylor investigates its life history
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Despite its long and complicated history, the true Cinnamon canary is still with us – in the hands of a tiny group of breeders. DONALD SKINNER-REID reckons it deserves wider appreciation
Spangles: a personal overview
FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future
New converts to old breeds
Old and rare canaries have a reputation for adding fresh interest and challenge to the hobby. PETE HOOK and NICK JOY agree, and explain the birds’ charm to Dave Brown
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
DECORATIVE AVIARY DISPLAYS from a CBS and an online bird keeping advice group were voted in the top three by visitors for the inaugural Stafford Aviary Competition.
Pieds with potential
More than just a lesser variety, the dominant pied will introduce challenge and change into most studs, reckons CLIVE WAKEMAN. Here he discusses pairings to try and others to avoid
Club News
Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you Results: convention, specialist & rare and Breeder of the Year
Canaries Month by Month:
With Christmas around the corner, BRIAN KEENAN is well into his winter programme, and reckons he might deserve a nice outcross
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Odd local names and weird superstitions can’t hide the beauty and elegance of the nightjar, a species that has made a fascinating subject in a few zoo collections, reveals BILL NAYLOR