LCA Classic 2023 – winners receiving their awards


Proposed policy on registration of birds including ‘pet’ birds.

DEFRA are consulting on three options, as follows:                                                            

Baseline – Do not change the current poultry registration requirements.

Option 1 – (DEFRA’s preferred option) Extend the registration requirement to all bird keepers, including mandatory annual update to the registration information.

Option 2 – Extend registration requirements to a keeper of 10 or more birds, including mandatory annual update to the registration information.

There can be no doubt that if either Option 1 or 2 are imposed (note Option 1 is DEFRA’s preferred option) and become Law, the regulations by which we would all have to comply, would have a devastating effect on our hobby. The level of bureaucracy involved, and the potential cost implications are a real threat to all bird keepers. The other great concern I have is that, in the future, the Fancy could be faced with a Government much more hostile to the hobby of keeping birds. These regulations if they become Law, would be an ideal vehicle to further restrict the Hobby. The potential to add further restrictions to how we run our hobby is real. The obvious next step would be to outlaw anyone from showing their birds in the UK unless their birds are registered. 

To the best of my knowledge, there has yet been no proven cross infection between wild birds and our captive bird population, (poultry excepted) because physical contact between them is highly unlikely, therefore the reason for these proposed Regulations is tenuous at best.

The link to the consultation is listed below and I have recommended a set of responses along with suggested wording for the questions that require you to give a reason – both have been identified in bold black italics.

I realise that completing the online consultation is going to take a little time, but I do strongly urge you to make the time to defend your hobby from the unprecedented attack.

Ian Adcock – LCA Secretary

Link to the DEFRA consultation

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/poultry-register/all-birds-registration2023/

1. Would you like your response to be kept confidential? (Select one option only)

Suggested responseNo   Note If you select yes you have to specify a reason.

2. What is your name?  Add in your name.

3. What is your email address? Add in your Email.

4. Which best describes you? (please tick only one option): As you are responding with your personal views, rather than as an official representative of a business / business association / other organisation. Suggested response – Individual.

5. Please only answer this question if you are responding on behalf of an organisation or business. Please provide the name of the organisation/business you represent. Not applicable – no answer required.

6. Please indicate which location your response relates to, selecting from the following (select all that apply) – Select you region.

7. Do you or the sector you represent keep poultry or other captive birds? (tick all that are applicable)

Definitions: Poultry and other captive birds – Suggested responseOther captive birds 

8. Do you keep any of the following poultry or other captive bird species? (tick all that are applicable):

 Other captive bird species: Suggested box to tick isOrnamental birds kept for display or exhibitions or in aviaries (for example finches and canaries)

9. For which of the following purposes do you keep birds (poultry or other captive birds)? (tick as many as apply): Suggest that the following is tickedAs pets and Shows or exhibitions

10. How many bird(s) do you (or your organisation) keep? Tick the box that is appropriate to your circumstances

11. Please state your preferred option and why (select one option): Very strongly recommend that you select the optionDo nothing (no change to the current registration requirements) 

You need to specify a reason for the option you select and I recommend that you say something like the following:-

My canaries are kept in any enclosed bird room with no access to the external environment so they can’t come into contact with any wild birds and are therefore not at risk of catching or transmitting Avian Flu

12. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to extend the poultry registration requirements to include all bird species? (select one option only). Suggest that you selectstrongly disagree

You need to specify a reason for the option you select and I recommend that you say something like the following:-

The proposal adds to the bureaucracy of my bird keeping hobby and does nothing to mitigate the impacts of Avian Flu

13. As set out in options 1 and 2 above, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposal to reduce the registration threshold of all bird species (except pet birds kept entirety in domestic dwelling)? (select one option per proposal).

Reduction of the registration threshold for all bird species from 50 to 1  – select option  strongly disagree

Reduction of the registration threshold for all bird species from 50 to 10 – select option – strongly disagree

You need to specify a reason for the option you select, and I recommend that you say something like the following:- The proposal adds to the bureaucracy of my bird keeping hobby and does nothing to mitigate the impacts of Avian Flu

14. As set out in options 1 and 2 above, we are considering exempting pet birds kept within a domestic dwelling from the proposed changes to the mandatory registration requirements. This would mean that that a keeper of pet birds would be exempted from registering such birds. Do you think pet birds that are housed exclusively within a domestic dwelling should be exempt from the proposal to extend the mandatory registration requirements to all bird species? (select one option only). Select optionYes

You need to specify a reason for the option you select and I recommend that you say something like the following:Pet birds kept in a closed environment with no access to wild birds are not at risk of catching or transmitting Avian Flu

 15. How far do you agree or disagree with mandating all bird keepers to review and update their information annually on the register, by a specified date? (select one option only). Suggest you selectstrongly disagree

You need to specify a reason for the option you select and I recommend that you say something like the following:- Pet birds kept in a closed environment with no access to wild birds are not at risk of catching or transmitting Avian Flu. The proposal adds to the bureaucracy of my bird keeping hobby and does nothing to mitigate the impacts of Avian Flu

 16. Following on from question 15, when do you think the annual reminder should be sent to keepers? (select one option only). Suggested optionother

You need to specify a reason for the option you select and I recommend that you say something like the following:- Pet bird keepers should be exempt from this unnecessary bureaucracy

17. The proposal to require keepers to update their registration information annually would require them to have access to their information via an online portal. A 12-month transition period before proposals brought forward come into force is proposed to accommodate this. In your opinion, is the proposed transition period of 12 months for the new mandatory annual update requirements (select one option only). Suggested optiontoo short

You need to specify a reason for the option you select and I recommend that you say something like the following:- Pet bird keepers should be exempt from this unnecessary bureaucracy

18. Do you have additional information or evidence on the potential impacts of the proposed amendment to the mandatory poultry registration requirements and extension to all bird species as set out in option 1?  Suggested reasons – The need to register through an online portal will disadvantage those who find this a daunting if not impossible task.  They could find themselves being inadvertently criminalised.

Pet birds kept in a closed environment with no access to wild birds are not at risk of catching or transmitting Avian Flu. The proposal adds to the bureaucracy of my bird keeping hobby and does nothing to mitigate the impacts of Avian Flu. Pet bird keepers should be exempt from this unnecessary bureaucracy

19. Do you have additional information or evidence on the potential impacts of the proposed amendment to the mandatory poultry registration requirements and extension to keepers of 10 or more birds as set out in option 2? Suggested reasonThe need to register through an online portal will disadvantage those who find this a daunting if not impossible task.  They could find themselves being inadvertently criminalised.

20. Is there anything else you would like to tell us relating to the proposed amendments to the registration requirements? Suggested responseThe proposed registration scheme goes far beyond the recommendations of the 2018 Dame Glenys Stacey Review.  The latter recommended the removal of the lower bird number limit for registration of poultry but made no such recommendation for ‘other captive birds’ including ‘pet’ birds.  DEFRA has offered no evidence to justify the expansion of the registration scheme to include “other captive birds’.   The proposal should therefore be shelved until such evidence is issued for consultation with interested parties, including national bird keeping organisations.

21`. (For keepers with more than 50 or more poultry only) On average, how long does it take you to fill in the compulsory registration form in order to register your birds? Not applicable

22. (For all bird keepers) How often does each species of bird kept on your premises change by an increase or decrease of more than 20% in a year?Answer as appropriate to your situation


November 2022

Congratulations to Ray Anthony winner of the 2022 LCA Classic

Well done to Novice Ray Anthony who won the 2022 LCA Classic with a clear cap gold hen. The hen showed excellent spangles and stayed steady throughout the day. As well as Best Lizard in show, the hen was awarded Best Colour fed, Best clear cap – colour fed and Best Novice. Ray was also claimed 3rd best colour fed Novice with a non-cap gold cock.

For more details including the full results please click here


October 2022

Congratulations to R & I Wright who win at the 2022 National

Best Champion/Best Lizard went to Rob & Ian Wright with a lovely Non-Cap Gold Hen after a strong challenge from Novice Ray Anthony with a broken cap silver cock.

The Wrights had a good day winning Best Lizard, Best Champion Lizard, 2nd Best Champion Lizard and Best Natural Lizard. In addition, the Wrights went on to win the Best in Show with their bird – a first for a Lizard at the National.

Joe Coakley, an experienced judge, was the judge for the day – his third National judging Lizards.

Click here to read his full report


November 2021

Ian Adcock wins the Classic broken cap silver cock

After the loss of the Classic last year due to Covid restrictions it was pleasing to see the 2021 Classic go ahead and be well supported.

The show retained most of its tried and tested format, but there were innovations too. We had new staging; a much simpler two-tier assembly that is easier to store, transport and assemble than the old version. There was a new LCA banner, an eye-catching display that provided a backdrop to the prize ceremony thanks to the initiative of Alex Maclean. The icing on the cake was a generous cash prize list donated by an anonymous supporter of the LCA; a much appreciated contribution.

The show ran like clockwork. Chris Jordan took on the stewarding single-handedly because David Newton was forced to miss the show due to illness; he never missed a beat. Noel Sidney presided over the catering with his usual exuberance, this time aided by Anne Maclean who added a Scottish twist to affairs and introduced us to ‘clootie pudding’. Debbie Goacher organised the raffle with some very generous prizes donated by LCA members. Life is so much better when people work together.

Now to the birds. This year’s show attracted over 160 entries, but a number of exhibitors had to withdraw for unavoidable reasons, and the number of birds benched was 129. Joe Coakley judged, and as always Joe gives each bird every chance to display its qualities.

Amongst the Champion colour-fed Lizards, Carlos de Santa Ana, Gary McCarthy and Neville Jones all won classes, along with Kevin Skinner and the Maclean & Benussi partnership. Kevin’s star has been on the rise throughout the 2021 show season, and so it proved here. His strongest competition came from the Maclean & Benussi partnership which not only won Best Champion Colour-fed, but also Second Best and Fourth Best colour-fed Lizard in show. The partnership’s performance was all the more commendable considering the difficulties Alex faced when he worked away from home for much of the year.

LCA Classic 2021 special winners
Second Best colour-fed Lizard canary, a male non cap silver (Maclean & Benussi partnership).
Fourth Best Colour-fed Lizard canary, a broken cap silver female (Maclean and Benussi)

Novices have an excellent record against the champions at Lizard canary shows and once again it proved so in 2021. Ian Adcock, in his final year in the novice ranks, not only won Best Novice Colour-fed, but went on to win Best and Third Best Colour-fed in show. He didn’t have everything his own way though; John Hannam won several Novice classes and junior Toby Ashpole also put up a good fight. (Juniors compete in the Novice classes at the LCA Classic to give them useful competition, but their birds are eligible for separate prizes in order to ensure that their junior status is not compromised).

LCA Classic 2021 special winners
Ian Adcock with his Best colour-fed Lizard canary
Third Best colour-fed Lizard canary, a female clear cap silver (Ian Adcock)

The classes for natural coloured Lizards attracted an entry of over fifty birds, and even without David Newton’s show team, the quality was consistently high. Tony Horton, in his first year in the Champion section, entered a very strong team. He not only won four of the seven classes but also Second and Fourth Best Natural Lizard too. Toby also entered a small team of natural coloured Lizards, and it was one these birds that won Best Junior. Unfortunately Toby wasn’t able to attend the show but his father Darren brought his team of birds.

LCA Classic 2021 – Natural Lizards
Huw Evans won Best natural coloured Lizard canary, a female broken cap gold (Huw Evans).
Second Best natural coloured Lizard canary, a female non cap gold (Tony Horton)
Third Best natural coloured Lizard canary (Huw Evans)
Fourth Best natural coloured Lizard canary, a female clear cap silver (Tony Horton)
Best Novice and best Junior – broken cap gold (Toby Ashpole)

Before the judging started, we held our AMG and this year there were two highlights from the meeting.

First, it was good to see our chairman Jeremy Goacher being awarded the Robert Yates Shield for his work in the resurrection of the LCA in 2019 and ensuring that the Association remains dedicated to the promotion and conservation of the Classic Lizard canary.

Second, the LCA Council was augmented by three new members: Andrew Beesley, Andy Chaney and Jon Martin. Their enthusiasm for the classic Lizard canary is evident and I am expecting the 2022 Classic to be even better thanks to their input.

And finally, a big thank you to all the members who made the journey to bring their birds to the show.

Ian Adcock

Show Secretary

Click here to see the Results sheet


LCA Classic 2021 – Prizes

After the issue of the show schedule we received a very generous donation for use as prize money at the forthcoming 2021 Classic.

The donor has requested that the money be presented as follows:-

  • £50 for Best Colour-fed.
  • £25 for Second Best Colour-fed.
  • £50 for Best Natural.
  • £25 for Second Best Natural.
  • £25 for Highly Commended Champion (i.e. any other bird in the Champion classes that the judge considers worthy of acclaim).
  • £25 for Highly Commended Novice (i.e. any other bird in the Novice classes that the judge considers worthy of acclaim).

The prizes will be awarded as follows – one bird, one prize.


LCA Classic 2021 – Sunday 14th November

The 2021 LCA Classic is to be held at Roade on the 2nd Sunday in November – 14th November.

Classes for the 2021 Classic will be the same as 2019 ie Colour fed – 14 Champion and 14 Novice classes and for Naturals – 7 Champion and 7 Novice classes. There will be awards for both Best Colour fed and Best Natural Lizards. Show schedules and entry forms have been sent out to all members.

Click here for the Show Schedule Classes and rules 2021 booklet
Click here for the Show Entry Form

They are also available from Ian Adcock – the Show Secretary. Please either email Ian at adcock33@btinternet.com call 07711 191811

Entries close on the 7th November

Special rules that apply to the 2021 LCA Classic.

Most importantly, to ensure everyone’s safety, you must not attend the show if you or anyone in your household has Covid-19 symptoms or you have been in close contact with someone who is Covid positive.

If you develop Covid-19 symptoms within 7 days of visiting the event alert the Show Secretary so that the other attendees can be alerted.

As you are probably aware, there are no longer any specific Covid restrictions in place.

Although face coverings are no longer mandatory, if you feel more comfortable wearing one, then please feel free to do so. We recommend them whilst moving about.

We are really looking forward to seeing everyone and believe that, with a little common sense, we can enjoy ourselves as safely as possible.

Please note that the Classic will revert to its usual slot of the 1st Sunday in November in 2022.


LCA Classic 2021 – Sunday 14th November

The 2021 LCA Classic will be held at Roade on the 2nd Sunday in November – 14th November.

Classes for the 2021 Classic will be the same as 2019 ie Colour fed – 14 Champion and 14 Novice classes and for Naturals – 7 Champion and 7 Novice classes. Best in Show Awards for the 2021 Classic – The approach for the 2019 LCA Classic will be adopted for the 2021 Show ie there will be awards for both Best Colour fed and Best Natural Lizards.

Show schedules and entry forms will be sent out to all members by the Show Secretary in October.

Please note that the Classic will revert to its usual slot of the 1st Sunday in November in 2022.


26th August 2021

The National Exhibition Show – Stafford 2021 – 3rd October

The show schedule and entry form have been sent out to all members.

National schedule and entry form are also available from Tony Horton – the Show Secretary. Please either email Tony at anthony.horton01@gmail.com or call 07885 371903

Classes will be provided for colour-fed and natural coloured classic Lizard canaries.

Click here for the National show schedule

Click here for the Entry form

Entries close on 24th September 2021


October 2020

LCA Classic 2020 – CANCELLED

We have been working towards holding the 2020 LCA Classic on the 1st November. We were hoping that by the first week of October the number of infections would be falling and the rules on gatherings would be relaxed, which would have allowed us to proceed with the show. However, this has not been the case and it is now clear that we are experiencing a second wave of Covid-19 infections. This means it would be rather foolhardy to continue with our plans.

It is, therefore, with great regret that I have to say that the 2020 LCA Classic has been cancelled.


Key outcomes from the LCA Council meeting – May 2020

LCA Classic 2020

We are continuing to work on the assumption that the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic that will be such that the 2020 LCA Classic at Roade is able to proceed. This is assuming that the we are able to meet all of the requirements placed such events by the Government.

Judge – Joe Coakley
Show Manager – Chris Jordan
Show Secretary – Ian Adcock

Entry fee is £1.00 per bird

Classes for the 2020 Classic will be the same as 2019 ie Colour fed – 14 Champion and 14 Novice classes and for Naturals – 7 Champion and 7 Novice classes.

Best in Show Awards for the 2020 Classic – The approach for the 2019 LCA Classic will be adopted for the 2020 Show ie there will be awards for both Best Colour fed and Best Natural Lizards.

Tubular drinkers on show cages

This has been something that has been raised as an welfare issue for the birds. The council have therefore approved the use of a 10ml tubular (medicine) drinker with a black base and clear top. The usual black ‘D’ cup drinker is still the preferred option and the use of the small tubular drinker is optional.

Honorary member

For his services to the LCA the proposal to make Ernest Garcia an honorary member of the LCA was approved. Congratulations to Ernest.


February 2020

Bottoms up!

Before you jump to conclusions, this article has nothing to do with drinking toasts, yet, when used in connection with the Lizard canary, it involves an action that is very similar. It means to take a bird in your hand and turn it upside-down so that the belly is uppermost. Some canary breeders do it to sex a bird, although that shouldn’t be necessary with the Lizard which is sexually dimorphic. There is however one very good reason why all Lizard breeders should. Click here to read the full article posted by Huw Evans on his blog Fine Spangled Sort on the 16th February 2020


15th January 2020

Updated LCA Handbook issued

The LCA Handbook has been updated and issued to all current members. If you haven’t received your updated handbook by 22nd January please advised the Secretary via email. The email address can be found on the LCA officers – LCA Council page.


3rd November 2019

Alex Maclean wins the Classic with a broken cap gold hen

After the loss of the Classic last year it was pleasing to see the 2019 show go ahead and be well supported…for the full report click here
To read the article in Cage and Aviary Birds…click here


November 2019

What does rescinding the colour feeding rule mean?

At its AGM on 3 November 2019, the Lizard Canary Association revoked the “colour feeding rule”, introduced in 2012, which had the effect of disqualifying all but colour-fed Lizard canaries from LCA patronage shows. From now on, both traditional colour-fed Lizards and natural coloured Lizards are recognised by the LCA. In order to avoid possible confusion that may arise from this decision, the LCA wishes to clarify the following:

● ‘Natural colour’ refers to the rich yellow ground colour that is unique to the classic Lizard canary.

● ‘Colour-fed’ refers to the traditional practice of adding red carotenoids (e.g. Carophyll Red) to the diet of the classic Lizard canary.

● It will be down to the personal preferences of individual breeders whether they colour feed their Lizard canaries or not. Both are permitted at LCA patronage shows.

● Show organisers have the discretion to provide separate classes for colour-fed and natural coloured Lizards, or to combine them in a single classification.

● In the event that clubs provide a separate classification, they will have the discretion to offer an award for Best Lizard(s) in addition to the awards for Best Colour-fed and Best Natural.

The same options apply to all-Lizard shows, including the LCA Classic. The approach to be taken at the latter will be decided at the LCA Council meeting in May 2020.


7th October 2019

The LCA Classic 3rd November 2019

The Show schedule, classifications and entry form have now been issued to members. Classes are being provided for colour-fed and natural coloured classic Lizard canaries. The show schedule and entry forms have been issued to members. If any member doesn’t receive the forms they can downloaded from the links below.

Any new member wishing to join the LCA and show their birds at the Classic are able to print off the show schedule, the entry form and the new member application form.

Click here for the New Member Application form.
Click here for the LCA Classic show schedule.
Click here for the LCA Classic Entry form.

Entries close on 24 October 2019.

Birds can be benched on Sunday 3rd November 20190 between 8:00 to 09.00.
Judging will start at 10.15 after the AGM.


30th August 2019

The National Exhibition Show – Stafford 2019 – 6th October

National schedule and entry form available from Bridget Boulton,  biddyandnatasha198@tiscali.co.uk  01335 344085. Bridget has a Guardian system on her phone – please follow the instructions to speak to her.

Classes will be provided for colour-fed and natural coloured classic Lizard canaries.

Click here for the National show schedule

Click here for the Entry form

Entries close on 26 September 2019


1st June 2019

Following a break in 2018, the Lizard Canary Association (LCA) Classic is back this November and it will be even bigger with separate classes for non-colour-fed Lizards.

At a recent LCA Council meeting, it was agreed that the show would be held on the usual date of the first Sunday in November, which this year will be 3 November, at the Roade Village Hall in Northamptonshire. We are looking forward to a strong turnout for the UK’s premier Lizard show to compete for the LCA Founder’s Trophy, which was presented to the LCA in 1946 by Robert H. Yates.

The show manager is Chris Jordan, John Record is show secretary and the show judge is David Allen. A show schedule will be sent out to all LCA members at the end of September.

In addition to bringing back the LCA Classic, officials have decided to put on separate classes for non-colour fed Lizards on a trial basis. Rosettes and prizes will be given to the best non-colour-fed in show, best non-colour-fed champion and best non-colour-fed novice. However, the Founders Trophy can only be competed for by colour-fed Lizards.

The provision of classes for natural-coloured Lizards at shows in recent years has proved to be a popular innovation, and more clubs and specialist societies are planning to follow suit during the 2019/20 season. Following a postal vote of all members, which closed on the 31st May, members voted by 21 votes to 15 in favour of revoking Rule 38 – the colour feeding rule. The LCA has suspended the rule requiring Lizards to be colour fed for exhibition and its guidance to judges regarding birds that are not colour-fed. This is pending a vote on revocation of the colour-feeding rule at the AGM in November. This means that natural-coloured Lizards will be eligible to compete at all shows granted LCA patronage in the 2019/20 season.

This decision was taken so that breeders, judges and show organisers would have sufficient notice to plan ahead for the entire show season. Hopefully, members will consider the trial to be a success and non-colour fed Lizards will continue to feature at the Classic in years to come.


10th March 2019

At its Extraordinary General Meeting (EMG) on 10th March, the LCA elected a new council and set a clear agenda for the future to ensure the continued survival and success of the Lizard canary – one of the oldest (if not the oldest) known canaries in the world. Thanks go to all the former LCA officials for their sterling work over the past few challenging years.

Over the months since the EGM was announced work has been underway to pull together a series of proposals that were put to all the members attending the meeting. These proposals included a renewed commitment to the original aims and objectives of the LCA – the key priorities being:

  • The conservation of the traditional Lizard
  • Revised governance procedures
  • To lead the LCA forward via the formation of a strengthened committee

It was pleasing see that the hard work put to the members who were able to attend the meeting were overwhelmingly approved.

The full list of the council members and their roles can be seen in the LCA Officers section under LCA Council on this website.