Judging Budgerigars

Anyone can judge budgerigars... but how many can judge them to the satisfaction of all exhibitors? Very few - if we win he's a good judge, if we lose he's a bad judge, there are always far more losers than winners. The unfortunate judge cannot win.

If we are honest with ourselves... a good judge is one who looks at the birds the same way as we do, in that way he/she is more likely to place the birds in the same order as we ourselves would, but unfortunately few people see birds the same.

When someone is asked to place the awards at a show, they are in fact being asked to give their personal opinion on those birds placed before them. They are not saying that they are infallible, they are merely giving their opinion. If they are personally happy with the placing of the awards, and can give a reason for those placings then the job has been done to the best of their ability. The most important person judges should aim to please, is themselves.

It may well be that their ability is lacking in some respects but that is no excuse for exhibitors to ply them with abuse. If you do not like the judging of a particular person, then do not show under them for they are obviously not looking at the birds in the same way as you do. In the long term, if the majority of exhibitors share your opinion, then that judge will get very few engagements. Likewise if his placings are generally popular then he will get more engagements.

Sometimes beginners in particular can be disappointed with their show results. They are unable to understand the judges placings. In such circumstances it may be a good idea to politely ask him for his reasons, it may well be that he has seen something that you missed, it could even be that you are both on completely different wavelengths. If that is the case then it is obvious that you are not looking at the birds in the same way.

If, after a good deal of thought, you still feel that you are right then stick to your guns and select your birds your way. If you think you have good bird and it does nothing in it's first shows, don't give up, try a few more, you might find a judge who looks at birds your way.

There is a pool of thought that subscribes to the theory that bad breeders never make first class judges. In other words those who are unable to evaluate their own birds correctly in the breeding room are unlikely to be able to correctly assess those on the show bench. This theory certainly has some substance, but there are notable exceptions.

The one thing that does cause a lot of problems is the bird that will not behave itself whilst being judged. It is impossible to evaluate a bird that is on the floor or all over the bars of a cage. It may have a super head but what about type and deportment? If the judge puts it down he could be a laughing stock later when it behaves and stands there looking every inch a Best in Show, yet sporting a codding card. On the other hand if he puts it up it may well slouch over the perch and look ill.

Some exhibitors are at fault here as they have never taken any trouble to try and train their birds, they expect the judges at the first few shows to do the job for them. Some birds can never be trained to behave and it may be better to leave those at home to breed.

The worst judge in our book is the one who goes to the show looking to find the super winning bird that has won the last three times out, thinks he has found it, only to discover later that it dropped a spot the day before used missed the show!three times out, thinks he has found it, only to discover later that it dropped a spot the day before used missed the show!

A final word - remember, despite a lot of evidence to the contrary, judges are human beings with feelings, who would were it possible, would love to please all exhibitors. So even if you think he should be given a white stick instead of a judging stick - be polite when you ask him, Why ?

Original text: Copyright 1999 Gordon and Sylvia Hallam

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