Greenfinch Maestros
Cage & Aviary Birds|February 7, 2018

Greenfinches run in the family for MARK JONES, who here looks back over the influential breeder/showmen who shaped the exhibition bird – and salutes the top exponents of today.

Mark Jones
Greenfinch Maestros

I WAS born in 1960 and for as long as I can remember my father Walter kept British hardbills, mules and hybrids, along with a few canaries for the production of mules.

My first memory of a bird show takes me back to Llandudno CBS in the mid-1960s, when I was first attracted to the diminutive foreign seedeaters for their colour and size.

At about that time, my father and I would borrow my grandfather’s car once or twice a year to travel across to the Isle of Anglesey. We travelled to the middle of the Isle to a place called Llanerch-ymedd. Approximately one mile beyond down a country lane and across the road from a dairy farm was a small cottage. There lived Alf Williams, who is widely acclaimed as being responsible for commencing the strain of greenfinches that we see on the show bench today. He lived there along with his dear wife Sally and son Mervyn.

I found the house to be quite relaxing, dimly lit with small windows. I believe that the fire was used to do most of the cooking. In the corner were a television, a few cups, and some photos of birds and fanciers. Alongside the cottage and to the left was a large area used for growing vegetables. At the far end was a hawthorn hedge, beneath which was the toilet. This was also the area where Alf kept his birds.

The set-up was very small with no more than a small shed or two and some small flights. Alf kept a few birds; greenfinches, obviously, and I can remember a few goldfinches. Of the greenfinches then he probably bred no more than a dozen youngsters each year. He would stop breeding when he had the number that he required.

This story is from the February 7, 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.

This story is from the February 7, 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.

MORE STORIES FROM CAGE & AVIARY BIRDSView All
The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
5 mins  |
December 18, 2019
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
4 mins  |
December 24, 2019
Spangles: a personal overview
Cage & Aviary Birds

Spangles: a personal overview

FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future

time-read
4 mins  |
December 24, 2019
New converts to old breeds
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
3 mins  |
December 24, 2019
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
Cage & Aviary Birds

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.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2019
Pieds with potential
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
3 mins  |
December 18, 2019
Club News
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2019
Canaries Month by Month:
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
4 mins  |
December 18, 2019
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Cage & Aviary Birds

Smart Choice, Docile Nature

Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species

time-read
3 mins  |
December 04, 2019
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
5 mins  |
December 04, 2019