This week, the North East Budgerigar Society (NEBS) gathered for their highly anticipated monthly meeting, with a particular focus on the Once In A Blue Moon event. This event was designed to be a showcase of the Blue Series varieties, providing breeders and enthusiasts an opportunity to present and discuss some of the most strikingly coloured birds in the fancy. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, the meeting coincided with another kind of Once-In-A-Blue-Moon occurrence—Adelaide experiencing an extreme heatwave that saw it record the highest temperature of any city in the world that day. With soaring temperatures and an unforgiving climate, the decision was made to abandon the Blue Series show, as the welfare of the birds was the top priority.

Despite the setback, the evening was far from a disappointment. The meeting continued as planned, albeit with some adjustments to accommodate the extreme weather. While the members regretted not being able to admire the beautiful blue budgerigars on display, they were instead treated to an enlightening presentation by one of the society’s most respected figures, John Mulley. His topic for the evening—violets and rainbows—proved to be a fascinating deep dive into the genetics and breeding strategies behind these striking varieties.

John’s presentation sparked significant interest among the attendees, as he meticulously explained the complex inheritance patterns and genetic principles that dictate how these captivating colours can be achieved. He detailed how the violet factor works in combination with the blue series to produce birds of extraordinary vibrancy and how pairing strategies can enhance or diminish certain hues. Similarly, his insights into the rainbow mutation, which combines opaline, clearwing, and yellowface genes, were met with keen enthusiasm, as breeders in the room eagerly took notes and asked questions.

One of the most engaging parts of John’s talk was the discussion surrounding the unpredictability of genetics. He shared anecdotes of breeders who had spent years trying to perfect their violet and rainbow lines, only to have unexpected results arise due to hidden recessive genes. This led to a broader discussion on how patience and persistence are essential in breeding high-quality exhibition birds. Attendees were reminded that breeding budgerigars is as much an art as it is a science, requiring careful record-keeping and a long-term vision. For many members, particularly the newer breeders, this was a valuable learning experience that deepened their understanding of budgerigar genetics.

Beyond the genetics lesson, the evening was also an opportunity for members to come together and share their experiences of the recent weather conditions and how they had been managing their aviaries during the heatwave. With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, keeping birds cool and hydrated had become a priority for all breeders. Various strategies were discussed, including the use of misting systems, frozen water bottles placed near cages, and increased ventilation. Several members shared personal anecdotes of how their birds had responded to the extreme heat, with some noting that certain birds appeared more heat-tolerant than others.

The meeting concluded with an informal Q&A session, where members had the opportunity to ask John further questions about breeding strategies, colour genetics, and the challenges of maintaining strong bloodlines. There was also a brief discussion on rescheduling the Blue Series show, with tentative plans to hold it at a later date when the weather would be more favourable. A meat tray was raffled off at the end of the night, with Michael Crossley the eventual winner.

Looking ahead to next week, we’ll be coming together for the first time as the BCSA Committee. This marks an important opportunity to reconnect, welcome our new delegates, and set the course for the year ahead. With several key topics on the agenda—including updates since our last meeting in November and the strategic plan for 2025—there will be plenty to discuss. It’s an exciting time for the committee, and we look forward to productive conversations and collaborative decision-making as we shape the future of BCSA.

This week, we have three online auctions underway on the 32 Auctions platform. We have the first BSSA Auction for 2025, as well as a BNSBS February Auction, and a Philip Anderson stock reduction sale. Details of each of these is provided below.

BSSA Auction 1 for 2025 🦜
Date: Ends February 16th
Lots Available: 11 individual lots

This BSSA Auction 1 for 2025 features birds from Sue Adams, Ken & Janet Harris, and Marie & Kerry Murphy. Additionally, a book from Craig Geering is available. Bidding commenced on February 11th and will close on February 16th at 7 PM, unless extended bidding occurs.