A Riot of Colour - A Look at the Other Side of the Hobby

Talk to Budgerigar breeders and keepers who are not involved in exhibiting, or only on the fringe of it, and you soon realise that there exists a totally different and refreshing approach to the keeping of the world's favourite Parakeet. Not for them the continual attempt to breed a bird with increased substance, with a bigger head, with more frontal rise, or some other desirable show requirement, and a striving to beat all the other breeders of a particular variety on the show bench; and finally to achieve the top accolade - to win a Best-in-Show award.

Non-exhibitors usually keep budgerigars for the sheer pleasure of seeing a riot of colour in the garden aviary, and to observe the playful antics of the species that has won so many hearts in the northern hemisphere, since it was introduced to this country in 1840. As more and more colour mutations occurred which were "fixed" by the skill of the early breeders, the keeping of the birds purely for the pleasure of their captivating appeal and attractive colours became an end in itself. Being nearer to the wild Budgerigar in their build and size, mostly finely feathered, good flyers and very active, they are a joy to behold.

The whole family, and hopefully the neighbours, can enjoy the sight and sound of the birds. It is an ideal spur for the next generation of bird keepers. So many fanciers of today, and those of the past, took up the hobby after seeing a collection of very colourful Budgerigars in a garden aviary. The owner of such an aviary needs very little of the costly equipment of the exhibitor. Extending the length of the natural day, by artificial light, is not really necessary and heat is definitely not required. The Budgerigar, unpampered, is a hardy bird. The birds stock up with food and go to roost at dusk, renewing their chatter at dawn, whatever the time of the year. Many roost in outside flights, under cover, all night, whatever the weather and time of the year. They love the novelty of snow, diving into it and having an enjoyable snow bath.

Enclosed shelter

An enclosed shelter, light and airy, preferably facing south or south-east, with suitable flying, perching and feeding areas, is all that is really required. The flight area can be entirely inside, if space is restricted, but an outside one is desirable, partly exposed to the rain, but partly covered, to which the birds can retreat if necessary. An inside flight, integral with feeding and roosting areas and linked by closable bob-holes to an outside flight, is ideal.

Breeding can be on the colony principle, but to retain the desired colours it will almost certainly be I preferable to breed under controlled conditions in cages. The breeding room, or area, can be in a separate structure or adjacent to the inside flight but suitably separated from it. Whichever alternative you choose, for stimulation , the breeding birds need to hear the chatter of the others. If they can also see them, so much the better. Most will usually come into breeding condition when the wild birds do in late winter an early spring.

The problems of winter breeding are not for the non-exhibitor.

Straight colours

Some aviary owners prefer the "straight" colours?and a marvellous display they can make as there are not so many colours to include. Some Light and Dark Greens in Normal or Opaline; some Skyblues and Cobalts- some Lutinos, Dark-eyed Clear Yellows or double factor Spangle Yellows, to give bright yellow in the display; the same again in the Blue series (Albinos Dark-eyed Clear Whites or double factor Spangle Whites); possibly a few Greys to contrast with the bright colours; and last, but definitely not least, some visual Violets (Violet Cobalts). No, that is not the last. We can also have some of the lovely Yellowface and Goldenface versions of the Skyblue, the Cobalt, the Violet and the Grey to complete the mix. What a magnificent display of colour such a collection makes.

The alternative, or additional approach is to have a collection of the very colourful "two-tone", two colour, three-colour or composite varieties. There is a contrast or blend of colours in each individual bird, and a contrast of colours or markings between one bird and another. One can have Yellow-wing Greens and White-wing Blues in all the shades of green and blue body colours; Spangles, Recessive Pieds, Dominant Pieds and Clearflights, again in all the body colours. Add to them the Yellowface and Goldenface Blue versions and we have the tri-coloured Pieds ? those lovely Recessive Pied Goldenface Blues and Violets, the Dominant Pied and Clearflight equivalents, truly magnificently coloured birds?and the same in Spangles.,

A few Cinnamons, Lacewings, Fallows, Dilutes, Clearbodies and Slates can be included, if desired An aviary owner will very likely not include them all, but, if he or she loves colours will most certainly include some Rainbows and Goldenface Rainbows?the YellowEace and Goldenface Opaline Whitewings in Sky-blue, Cobalt and Visual Violet.

Such a collection seen in the golden light of the early morning summer sun, is a truly breath-taking experience. Once seen, I guarantee the experience will never be forgotten.

Original text: Copyright 1997 Ken Gray

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