Exhibition Budgies

[HollysMom]

I enjoy showing my dogs and have had some success with them on a local basis. Recently I've heard about competitions for budgies. I know what makes a show dog (sometimes just a pedigree and good grooming seems to do it), but what are the characteristics of a show quality budgie? Do they differ from pet birds in more than just quality of color and pattern?

[Plumley]

I hope the forum owner or someone else with first hand experience will be along to give you some direction. If you show dogs you already know a bit about what you'd be getting into but it would be great to hear some first hand experiences. In the meantime, here's an article from elsewhere on the site that might give a bit of an idea of what's involved:

http://www.budgerigars.co.uk/show/mick.html

[HollysMom]

Thanks for the link to the article. It sounds like there is more grooming for show budgies than there is for my short-coated terrier dogs! LOL One thing that I did notice was the word "discard" in reference to the narrow-faced birds. Are they culled, or are they sold as pets?

[sbarber77]

I wonder, is there a prefered color for show budgies?

[ninikins]

I suppose it's about proportions, colouring and condition but I've never heard of showing budgies before! I never thought about it.

[sbarber77]

I know that when you breed chocolate labs for show they have to be almost pure chocolate. Whaite areas of fur are a fault as they come from breeding to get a specific color.

I was reading about the common colors of budgies not realizing that a lot of the differents colorations have come from breeding to encourage those colors to emerge.

There must be a guide somewhere that would say what is aceptable for a show budgie and what is not. In fact, I am going to google it today!

[HollysMom]

Barber, if and when you find any information on preferred show colors--or any other information, would you be willing to post it here? I just bought a house and am not in the position to be adding another variety of show animal to the roster, but it would give me an idea of what I need to save for. :)

[sbarber77]

Check out this site. It is awesome for describing the different varieties of budgies!
http://home.clara.net/np21/indexvariety.htm

[HollysMom]

Thanks for that site! The show pictures are pretty neat--although I can't imagine what the noise must be like with all of the bird sounds in an enclosed room. Dog shows are pretty noisy, even though most of the dogs are pretty well socialized and trained, but I don't know how one would go about training a budgie for such conditions.

So much to learn! :)

[Plumley]

Barber, if and when you find any information on preferred show colors--or any other information, would you be willing to post it here?



Here you go:

http://www.budgerigars.co.uk/general/index.html

I wonder if this falls under the caveat of being careful what you wish for. :D

[HollysMom]

LOL Information, I can handle. Now if people gave me birds at the rate that they give out information, that would be a problem! LOL

[Plumley]

Now if people gave me birds at the rate that they give out information, that would be a problem!

Can you imagine!

I got my cockatiel from a breeder. When I was picking him out she showed me around the back part of her house, where she had several breeding pairs as well as a lot of bablies. As I was leaving with the bird I noticed the couch in her living room for the first time. It was a long couch and the back was absolutely covered with cockatiels! It was an incredible sight, all those shoe button eyes - watching. :)

[bluey]

show budgies are generally a bigger breed. i have a massive 6 week old budgie who is much bigger than my 2yr old male and im starting to think he is a show budgie