How Exhibition Budgerigars Are Judged

If you have ever watched a budgerigar show and wondered why one bird wins over another, the answer lies in The Standard of Perfection.

When judges assess exhibition budgerigars in South Australia, they are not simply looking for the biggest bird, the brightest colour or the bird with the largest head. They are comparing each exhibit against the ideal exhibition budgerigar described in the Australian National Budgerigar Council (ANBC) Standard.

Judges consider the overall type, balance, deportment, condition, head, mask, colour, markings and varietal features of each bird. The winning exhibit is the bird that, in the judge’s opinion, comes closest to the ideal for its particular variety on the day.

For anyone interested in breeding budgerigars or entering their first show, understanding what judges are looking for can make exhibiting much easier to understand.

What Does a Budgerigar Judge Look For?

For most exhibition budgerigars, judging can broadly be divided into two areas:

• Type – 60 points
• Colour and Markings – 40 points

There are variations to this, such as Crested, where this changes, but by and large, this is important because it shows that judging is about much more than colour. A beautifully marked bird still needs good overall type, balance, condition and presentation to compete strongly. Likewise, an impressive bird with excellent size and head qualities can lose ground if its colour, markings or varietal features do not meet the Standard.

Judges are looking at the whole bird.

1. Overall Type and Balance

One of the first things a judge considers is the overall impression of the bird.

The exhibition budgerigar should appear well proportioned and balanced, with the different parts of the bird flowing together rather than one feature appearing out of proportion.

The body should taper gracefully from the chest towards the tail, while the backline should flow smoothly from the head through the shoulders and towards the tail.

A judge is therefore not looking at size alone.

Balance, shape and proportion are extremely important.

The Standard describes an ideal exhibition budgerigar of approximately 240 mm from the crown of the head to the end of the tail, but size must work together with the overall conformation of the bird.

2. Head Quality

The head is one of the most noticeable features of a modern exhibition budgerigar.

Judges look for a head that appears large, wide, rounded, well feathered and balanced with the rest of the bird.

The feather should rise from around the cere and flow upwards and across the skull before merging smoothly into the back of the bird.

Good frontal rise, width across the head and a full backskull can create the powerful appearance associated with quality exhibition budgerigars.

However, the head still needs to remain balanced with the body.

3. Mask and Spots

The mask is another feature judges examine closely. Where required by the variety, judges are looking for a mask that is wide and deep. The throat spots should be large, round and evenly positioned. In varieties requiring the traditional six spots, the outer two are partly covered by the cheek patches. There are exceptions to this, like Black Eyed Self, and Clearwings, that shouldn’t have spots. A shallow, narrow or uneven mask can detract from the appearance of an otherwise strong bird.

This is why exhibitors often spend considerable time preparing and presenting the mask before a show.

4. Deportment – How the Bird Presents Itself

A good exhibition budgerigar needs to show itself. This is referred to as deportment. Judges want to be able to clearly see the bird’s shape, head, mask, wings and overall proportions while it is sitting naturally on the perch.

Ideally, the bird should stand confidently and comfortably rather than:

• crouching;
• clinging to the cage;
• constantly jumping around;
• leaning excessively forward; or
• sitting in a position that hides its best features.

The Standard depicts the exhibition budgerigar standing well off the perch at approximately 30 degrees from vertical. This is one reason why show cage training can make such a difference. A quality bird cannot show the judge its best features if it refuses to settle on the perch.

5. Wings and Tail

Judges also examine how neatly the wings and tail are carried. The wings should sit firmly and neatly against the body rather than dropping, crossing excessively or sitting away from the bird. The tail should appear straight, tight and in proportion with the rest of the bird. Together, the wings, backline and tail contribute enormously to the overall outline of an exhibition budgerigar. Poor wing carriage or a dropped tail can spoil the balance of an otherwise impressive bird.

6. Condition

Condition can make the difference between a bird competing strongly and being immediately disadvantaged. An exhibition budgerigar should appear:

• clean;
• healthy;
• complete in feather;
• sleek and well presented;
• alert; and
• free from obvious injury or illness.

A bird going through a heavy moult, carrying broken feathers or presented in poor condition may not be able to compete with a bird at its peak.

This is why experienced exhibitors pay close attention to timing when selecting birds for a show.

The bird you believe is genetically the best in your aviary may not necessarily be the best bird to enter on that particular day.

7. Colour

Colour is assessed according to the requirements of the individual variety. Generally, judges are looking for colour that is clean, even and consistent with the description contained within The Standard. Different varieties have different colour requirements, so judges do not assess every budgerigar in exactly the same way. For example, what is desirable in a Normal may be completely different from what is required in a Clearwing, Greywing, Spangle, Lacewing or Pied. This is why understanding the Standard for the variety you breed is so important.

8. Markings and Varietal Features

The markings of the bird must also correspond with its recognised variety. Judges may consider features including:

• wing markings;
• throat spots;
• cheek patch colour;
• body colour depth;
• ground colour;
• tail colour;
• presence of iris rings;
• cere colour; and
• the particular characteristics that identify the variety.

The importance of colour and markings differs between varieties. Some varieties rely strongly on colour, while others are distinguished by a particular marking pattern or varietal feature. This is why a judge must understand not only the ideal exhibition budgerigar but also the individual Standard for each recognised variety.

The Judge Is Comparing Birds Against an Ideal

A common misconception is that judging simply means comparing one bird against another. In reality, the judge is comparing each bird against the ideal described in The Standard and then deciding which exhibit comes closest.

Imagine that five birds are placed in front of the judge. One may have the best head. Another may have the best markings. Another may have excellent size but poor deportment. Another may have beautiful colour but lack balance. The eventual winner is usually the bird that brings the greatest number of desirable qualities together while displaying the fewest significant faults.

That is what makes judging exhibition budgerigars so interesting. There is rarely one feature that wins a show on its own.

Penalties and Disqualifications

Judges must also consider the ANBC Penalty and Disqualification provisions. Certain faults may result in a bird being penalised, while others can result in disqualification. These can relate to areas such as:

• condition;
• missing or damaged feathers;
• incorrect varietal characteristics;
• serious deformity or injury;
• incorrect class placement;
• colour or marking faults; and
• features that do not comply with the Standard.

Exhibitors should therefore become familiar with both The Standard and the BCSA Show Regulations.

Exhibition Budgerigar Categories

BCSA shows provide opportunities for exhibitors at different stages of the hobby. Exhibitors compete within four status levels:

• Junior
• Novice
• Intermediate
• Open

This allows newer breeders to compete against exhibitors of similar experience while developing their knowledge and breeding programs. Success on the show bench can also contribute towards progression through the exhibitor levels. For more information, visit BCSA Status Movement.

Any Age and Young Bird Shows

Budgerigar shows commonly include Any Age and Young Bird competitions. Any Age classes allow eligible birds regardless of age, subject to the relevant show schedule. Young Bird events have additional eligibility requirements, including the appropriate current-year official ring. Always check the individual show schedule and BCSA Show Regulations before entering.

Training an Exhibition Budgerigar

Selecting a good bird is only part of preparing for a show. The bird also needs to become comfortable in a Standard Show Cage. Regular, calm training can help the bird learn to:

• settle on the perch;
• remain composed when people approach the cage;
• respond to a judging stick;
• show itself from different angles; and
• remain comfortable in a busy show environment.

Some exhibitors use methods such as placing lightweight balls on the floor of the training cage to encourage the bird onto the perch. Others regularly work quietly with the bird using a show stick until it becomes comfortable moving and settling. The objective is not to frighten the bird, but to make the show cage a familiar environment.

Preparing Your Budgie for the Show Bench

Good preparation begins well before show day. Exhibitors may use regular bathing or spraying, careful grooming, appropriate feeding and exercise to help bring a bird into peak condition. Before entering, check:

• feather condition;
• wings and tail;
• mask and spots;
• feet and toe nails;
• beak and cere;
• general cleanliness;
• overall health; and
• whether the bird is entered in the correct class.

A beautifully bred bird presented poorly can lose to a bird that arrives on the bench in outstanding condition.

What Happens on Show Day?

Once the birds are benched, the judge assesses each class using the ANBC Standard. Birds are progressively compared and ranked until the judge selects the class winner. Class winners can then progress to compete for higher awards such as:

• Best of Variety;
• Best of Section;
• Best Opp Sex;
• Best Young Bird;
• Best Any Age; and
• Best in Show, depending on the format of the event.

The exact award structure varies from show to show. Winning a class can be an important milestone for an exhibitor and, in some circumstances, contributes towards BCSA Status Movement.

BCSA Budgerigar Shows

The Budgerigar Council of South Australia and its affiliated clubs conduct budgerigar shows throughout the year. One of South Australia’s major competitions is the Logan Shield. The Logan Shield brings together the BCSA affiliated clubs and plays an important role in the selection of South Australian birds for the ANBC National Titles. Exhibitors intending to participate should familiarise themselves with the Logan Shield format and relevant show requirements.

Learn to See a Budgie Like a Judge

One of the best ways to improve as an exhibitor is to stop looking at your birds simply as the birds you bred and begin comparing them with The Standard.

Ask yourself:

• Is the bird balanced?
• Does it have good deportment?
• Is the head wide, rounded and well presented?
• Is the mask deep and clear?
• Are the spots correct for the variety?
• Are the wings carried neatly?
• Is the tail straight and proportional?
• Is the bird in excellent condition?
• Is the colour correct?
• Are the markings appropriate for the variety?

Learning to recognise these qualities is part of the enjoyment of exhibiting budgerigars. The more shows you attend and the more judging you watch, the easier it becomes to understand why particular birds rise to the top.

Want to Learn More About Judging Budgerigars?

If you are new to exhibition budgerigars, one of the best ways to learn is simply to attend a show. Watch the judge work through a class. Listen to the comments. Compare the first, second and third placed birds and try to identify the differences yourself.

Stewarding is another excellent way to learn. By helping the BCSA Accredited Judges during a show, newcomers can gain a close-up view of the judging process and learn how exhibition birds are compared.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Everyone who has exhibited a budgerigar started with their first bird, their first show and their first attempt at understanding why the judge placed the birds in a particular order.

If you would like to start exhibiting budgerigars in South Australia, join a BCSA affiliated club, come along to a show and start learning how to see an exhibition budgerigar through a judge’s eyes.