This week, the BSSA gathered for a meeting focused on Show Preparation, gearing up for the Murphy Classic at the end of the month. Wayne Weidenhofer delivered an insightful presentation, sharing his expertise and valuable tips on preparing birds for competition.

Key Takeaways from Wayne’s Talk
🔹 Showmanship Starts Early
Wayne emphasised the importance of selecting birds with natural show presence from a young age. He strongly advocated for frequent handling of young birds—placing them on a perch regularly to encourage confident posture in the show cage.
🔹 Tail Feather Management
Wayne recommended selecting your show team at least three months in advance, particularly for monitoring tail quality. Since tail feathers take around two months to regrow, careful planning is essential.

• You can cut one tail feather three months out from the event:
  • Step 1: Cut the feather.
  • Step 2: Wait two weeks for regrowth.
  • Step 3: Remove the old feather once it has died or allow it to shed naturally.
  • Watch out for ingrown or dead feathers that could affect presentation.
• Flight feathers, on the other hand, require about four weeks to regrow.

🔹 Managing Pests on Self-Coloured Birds
For self-coloured varieties, lice and mites can be more noticeable. Wayne suggested using Pestine™ powder to eliminate feather lice, particularly around the throat area. In addition, a drop of Ivermectin on the back of the head 3 -4 days before the show is recommended.
🔹 Cap Washing & Blood Management
Proper cap washing is essential for presentation:

1. If blood is present, act quickly before it dries.
2. Use warm water and a soft toothbrush to clean the area.
3. Follow up with baby shampoo for a thorough wash.
4. Dry the bird completely using a hairdryer.
5. Once dry, apply cornflour to the cap to stop any residual bleeding.
6. Be gentle with pin feathers—those that have already opened, the sheath can be removed carefully using your thumb and forefinger.

🔹 Pre-Show Preparation & Grooming Routine

• Housing: Keep show birds in a cabinet, not a wire cage—use the wire cage only when spraying them.
• Spraying Schedule:
  • First wash: A heavy spray.
  • Four days before the show: A light spray.
  • Three days before the show: Apply a glycerine and water mix.
  • The day before: Use baby oil on the beak and feet for a polished look.
  • Tails:– dipping tails into hot water straightens feathers and tails and helps strengthen the tail.

🔹 Mask & Spot Perfection
Wayne shared techniques for refining the mask and spot pattern:

• The mask typically has three layers of spots, with the middle row being the most desirable.
• Start with the top layer, carefully removing the smaller spots first.
• If you need to use a shadow spot, applying a small amount of baby oil can help enhance its colour, making it blend better.

Final Thoughts
Wayne’s expertise and hands-on advice provided attendees with practical strategies to refine their show preparation techniques. With just weeks to go before the Murphy Classic, these insights will be invaluable for exhibitors looking to present their birds at their absolute best!

The ANBC Gazette

The ANBC Gazette was also released this week, with exciting details of the panelists for this year’s “Experts On The Perch“. The panel will include television host and producer Jamie Durie as a featured guest of Experts On The Perch during the Trill™ Expert 49th Annual ANBC National Show in Cairns. Jamie will join Media Commentor Nic Hayes and the ANBC’s very own Peter Thurn on the panel for an exclusive one-hour live event. Guests will have the chance to meet Jamie, while diving into all the standout moments in budgerigars from 2024/25. Don’t miss #ANBC2025 and #ExpertsOnThePerch – book your tickets now. Registrations need to happen by March 31, and this event could well sell out. Registration to attend the Nationals is $30 pp, and the Friday night Meet & Greet is just $45 pp – you can find the link below:

The Week Ahead 

Looking ahead, this week, we have the North East Budgerigar Society (NEBS) meeting, which will take place at their new home in Hectorville.  NEBS has decided to reschedule it’s heat effected “Once In A Blue Moon” show to align with the club’s March 12th event, however the weather again is looking touch-and-go. If the weather exceeds 32 degrees as forecast the day prior, then the event will need to be postponed again. Assuming the Blue Series Show does proceed, it will be incorporated alongside a hands-on demonstration on show bird preparation, featuring expert guidance from Doug Lange and John Mulley.

Members and guests are encouraged to bring along birds for the show—any bird from the blue series is welcome! This includes Normals, Opaline Cinnamonwings, Pieds, Fallows, and more, showcasing the diverse expressions of blue across different varieties. While an award for the Best Bird will be presented, all birds will be judged within a single class, and Novice, Intermediate and Open will be rolled into one. The event is open to everyone – NEBS would love to see members from all of the Clubs represented.

Following the exhibition, Doug and John will conduct an interactive, hands-on session covering essential techniques to prepare birds for the show bench, including:
✅ Spot preparation – ensuring clean, symmetry of the mask
✅ Opening quill feathers – refining the bird’s overall presentation if they’re coming out of a moult
✅ Dipping tails and wings – enhancing feather condition for the best possible show look on the day

Both Doug and John bring years of experience in bird care and exhibition preparation in South Australia, making this a fantastic opportunity for members to learn directly from two of the best. This event promises to be both educational and enjoyable, so we encourage all members—both new and experienced—to get involved, bring along their birds, and make the most of this valuable session!

This week, we have three online auction underway on the 32 Auctions platform – BSSA Auction 4 for 2025, the Gold Coast & Hinterland Online Auction, and Portch & Eppelstun Auction 3. Details of these events are provided below.

BSSA Auction 4 for 2025 🦜
Date: Ends March 9th 2025
Lots Available: 7 individual lots

BSSA Auction 4 for 2025 is now open, featuring seven birds in total from Trevor Goodenough, Sue Adams, and Marie & Kerry Murphy. Varieties on offer include Whitecap’s, Clearwing’s, Lutino’s, Recessive Pied’s, and more. The auction finishes this Sunday, and birds are available in Adelaide and Murray Bridge (depending on the vendor) – all can be delivered to Adelaide Airport.

Eppelstun Portch Auction 3 🦜
Date: Ends March 9th 2025
Lots Available: 20 individual lots

An exciting opportunity is available to acquire surplus budgerigars from the studs of Richard & Michelle Eppelstun and Josh Portch, dedicated members of the Sunshine Coast Budgerigar Association in South Queensland. In this auction, a selection of quality birds is being offered, having missed the breeders’ primary breeding teams but still presenting strong potential for those looking to enhance their own aviaries. These birds are expected to suit a range of breeders, from beginners and novices to those at the intermediate level, making this a fantastic opportunity to add proven bloodlines to your stud at competitive prices.

Gold Coast & Hinterland Auction 1 for 2025 🦜
Date: Ends March 9th 2025
Lots Available: 10 individual lots

The Gold Coast and Hinterland Budgerigar Society auction commenced on March 2nd and will run until March 9th at 8 PM AEST, with extended bidding in place. This event showcases 10 high-quality budgerigars from some of the region’s most respected breeders, including Brett O’Brien, Dale & Tiana Keevers, Howard Morton, Les Hamond, and Mick Greber. A diverse range of varieties is on offer, catering to breeders and enthusiasts alike. Among the birds available are Spangles, Cinnamonwings, Mauves, Dominant Pieds, Normals, Yellowfaces, and additional Spangles. With multiple vendors contributing to this auction, pick-up locations vary depending on the breeder. Birds are available for collection across Northern New South Wales and South Queensland, so buyers are encouraged to confirm logistics before placing bids.