The English All Natural Supplement for Exotic Birds .n. BEAUlY FERTILIlY\ Budgerigar betaearotene vitamins calcium minerals mucoproteins Algae-Feast Spirulina is used by avian experts at by Buddy Walker zoo's and exotic bird breeding centers worldwide. Im­ Phoenix, Arizona proves fertility in scientific tests. Low in sodium, rich in amino acids. Very concentrated, at tittle goes a long way. A BitofHistory For Cockatiels, Parrots, Softbills, Canaries and Finches. The Budgerigar was unknown •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• outside its native land until Captain Yes, Send me Algae-Feast Spirulina powder now! James Cook discovered Australia D during 1770. It was not until 1794, FREE UPS delivery in Continental USA however, that European naturalist $36.00 -- One Pound Jar IAsk about Wholesale and Bulk I John Gould first reported seeing $83.00 __ Four Pound Jar large flocks of small green parrots Payment amountS:.....- by: 0 check 0 MC 0 Visa dUring his venture to Austrailia. The grass parakeet was a favorite credit card # expo date, _ food of the Aborigines. In fact, the Name on card Phone _ Aborigines call this bird" Betcherry­ Delivery address, _ gah" (good food), hence the name City, State, Zip _ "Budgerigar:' The Budgerigar has Mail to: Algae-Feast, P.O. Box 719-A, Calipatria, CA 92233 also been termed with several other FAX 619 348-2895 TEL 619 348-2685 names such as shell parrot, grass parakeet and parakeet. Budgerigars were first imported to England during 1840 and soon after­ wards were imported to the United States. Import dealers imported sev­ eral hundred thousands of Budgeri­ gars until 1894 when the Australian government placed a ban on the exportation ofthese birds. The English Budgerigarvs. TheAmerican Parakeet In many circles there seems to be confusion regarding the difference between the English Budgerigar and the American Parakeet. The American Parakeet has been primarily bred for commercial pur­ poses to meet the demands ofthe pet trade. As a result, this bird has remained small in physical appear­ ance (4" to 5" in length) and the features of the bird are unrefined. The colors are randomly mixed for the purpose of breeding a "heinz" conglomeration of colors on one bird. Conversely, the English Budgerigar has been primarily bred for show and pleasure purposes. Generally speak­ ing, the English Budgerigar is bred in controlled breeding cages and pedi­ grees are maintained for future breed­ ing purposes. The end result is that afa WATCHI3IRD 35 Sky Blue normal nlale - ~ ~Best in ShoUJ," owne11breedersjejfWalkins/ john Mille1~ San Diego, CA Light Greell n'laZe - ~ ~BestIntern'lediate," ounlet1 b,·eede1·s Seth andNaonli Foste1~ San Diego, CA « o Gl·ey Green1lo1-nlal nlale, "Best in Show," ownel1bl·eedel·sjefflValki1ls/ John Miller, San Diego, CA CobaltBlue nlale, UBest Novice," oUJ1le,1b,·eede1· 36 June/July 1992 Ter1Y T1·avis, Escondido, CA View o!uJinlle1's show bench at the Silve1' State Budgie Fancie1's ShoUJ in Las Vegas, Nevada. Da1'k Green Spangle hen, ((Best lIen," owner/b1'eeder Lou Snlaldino, Yorba Li1lda, CA Light G"een Crested nornlal nlale, oUJner/breedersJinz and Aud1'ey MacLa1'ell, Tenlple City, CA Grey nor111al 111ale, ((Best in Show," owner/b1'eeders jei/Walkins/John Mille1~ San Diego, CA the average size of an English Bud­ (2) Size and shape of head, mask, consider when selecting birds for gerigar is 8" to 10" in length. The and spots account for 35 points in pleasure breeding. A final item that features are refined and the colors the normal series. It is important to seems to go hand-in-hand with rais­ are vibrant and intense because they focus on these refined qualities when ing English Budgerigars is the are not mixed without a specific purchasing stock for show or pleas­ breeder's involvement in the hobby purpose. ure purposes. These are features that (showing at shows and/or member­ During the remainder ofthis article, clearly separate the American para­ ship in a local club). Don't be afraid I would like to build on these differ­ keet from the English Budgerigar. to ask questions before purchasing ences and elaborate on breeding the (Note: 65 percent of the conforma­ your English Budgerigars. English Budgerigar for show or tion points are allotted to size and pleasure. head characteristics and qualities). Breeding ExhibitionStock (3) Wing carriage, marking, and The items which I covered under The Varieties color make up the remainder of the pleasure breeding will apply to this During the early days, the Budgeri­ 35 points. category, however, the selection gar quickly became a favorite of seri­ I have condensed the points in this process will be more involved. For a ous breeders. Through controlled manner so the inexperienced person serious breeder/exhibitor, the selec­ breeding programs and maintenance can easily focus on a couple of quali­ tion process is as follows: (1) Select a of pedigrees, they found that the ties and maintain a simple analysis of champion breeder with whom you Budgerigar would mutate rather eas­ the bird. The more experienced per­ can communicate well and establish ily. Today there are over 36 different son will want to examine each qual­ a rapport. (2) Discuss the quality varieties and colors to choose from. ity in detail. The uniform scale of desired and price gUidelines. (3) A limited list ofthe varieties: points and pictorial will give you an Establish a five-year continued pur­ Normals - Opalines, Cinnamon, opportunity to evaluate the English chase plan (both parties should be Blue, Cobalt, Mauve, Yellow-wing Budgerigar as an ideal specimen. agreeable) including quality and basic Lutino - Albino, Yellow, White, price gUidelines. (4) See that the Spangle, Crest, White-wing PurchasingStock champion breeder is willing to share Harlequin - Grey-wing, Violet, Grey, An important and sometimes dif­ knowledge that will help you during Yellow-face Blue, Olive ficult decision is selecting a person your growth period. As you can see, the Budgerigar can from whom to purchase your breed­ be bred in a vast array of colors and ing stock. I have divided the decision­ Summary varieties. The color selection contin­ making process into two categories: The American Budgerigar Society, ues to make the budgerigar a favorite Pleasure breeding and show breed­ Inc. is dedicated to the advancement in the show ring as well as a pet. ing. of the Budgerigar as a show speci­ My advice for anyone interested in Pleasure Breeding men and pet. It is a Society that is raising English Budgerigars is to join In my estimation, a reputable composed ofmembers who have var­ the American Budgerigar Society. By breeder is a person who raises and ied interest from raising exhibition doing this, you will have a wealth of sells healthy stock and is straight­ specimens, raising the rare varieties information at your fingertips. It is forward regarding the purity ofstock and prOViding educational materials important to remember that each (100 percent English) and varieties. covering all aspects of budgerigar variety requires a genetic understand­ The primary attributes to look for management. ing ofhow to breed them. when selecting pleasure stock are: If you have an interest in the Bud­ (1) The variety of bird should be eas­ gerigar, I suggest that you join the Understanding the Standard ily distinguished. Do not purchase a American Budgerigar Society. To The American Budgerigar Society "heinz" variety. (2) Depth of color obtain membership information maintains a conformation standard should be clear and of an even shade. write the American Budgerigar that applies to all varieties of English (3) The conformation qualities Society, 1704 Kangaroo, Killeen, Tx Budgerigars and a color standard for should be in place - except overall 76543. For information regarding each individual variety. size. Minimum size, however, should educational materials write Buddy I would like to take a moment to be seven and one-half inches in body Walker, ABS Educational Director, outline the conformation points of length. 1001 W. Northern Ave, Phoenix, AZ the Budgerigar. Sometimes the point Selecting the breeder 85021.e schedule approach can be confUSing This is a difficult assessment to so I will summarize the qualities to make but a few aspects to consider look for when selecting English Bud­ are: (1) Is the aviary clean? (2) Are Author's Profile The name Buddy Walker is recognized gerigars for foundation stock. the birds well maintained (environ­ throughout the Budgerigar World. He (1) Size, shape, condition and ment and diet)? (3) Do you notice joined the American Budgerigar Society balance account for 30 points out of sick birds, i.e. birds fluffy, huddled in during 1975 and since then has raised a total of 100 points. It is clear these the corner or fluffed with their head and exhibited many champion Budgeri­ gars. He specializes in normals, opal­ components are an important aspect tucked in the back? (4) Hold several ines, dark factors, yellows, clear-wings, of the English Budgerigar. The ideal birds in your hand and determine if and yellow-face English Budgerigars. Budgerigar should be approximately they carry proper body weight or if Buddy is an ABS Champion Breeder, nine inches in length. If you are pur­ they are extremely thin. (5) Ask for ABS Judge, ABS Second Vice President chasing stock for pleasure, a seven references if you are new to the and Educational Director. He is also a columnist for the AUS monthly publica­ and one-half to eight inch bird would hobby. (6) Do the birds appear to be tion and correspondent for" Budgerigar be sufficient to work with and be less in the quality range you are seeking? World" (England). expensive. These are a few of the items to 38 ]unc/]uly1992.