Norfolk FBA – 2007 Open Show

This years open show received an entry of 250 which was down on previous years. The foreign sections were judged by Terry Sayers and Phil Smith whilst Zebra and Bengalese were judged by David Brown.

The Parrotlike entry was well down on previous years with only junior entries in the Lovebird classes. Best in section was a Ringneck Parrakeet owned by Brian Sheldrake with a Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot being second for S & J Fisher. In third place was a very good Lutino Peachfaced Lovebird benched by Kieran Eagle, a junior entry. The two leading current year bred entries were both owned by Brian Sheldrake, with his Bourkes Parakeet first and Lineolated Parrakeet second.

The seedeater section had an entry of over 80, with the common section containing some excellent exhibits. Particularly pleasing was the current year bred common classes totalling 25 entries. Best common seedeater, and best seedeater in show was a cock Green Singing Finch entered by David Brown. This exhibit was singing throughout judging and headed a very good class. Second best common seedeater also came from this class, another Green Singing Finch owned by S & J Fisher, this time a hen.

Third best common were Chocolate Silverbills staged by Lisa Barnsdale. This entry was also best current year bred common. The same exhibitor also took the award for second best current year bred with another Silverbill entry.

Other good common seedeater entries, in no particular order, were Neil Prentice’s Green Singing Finch, David Brown’s Silver Java Sparrow and B & J Rudling’s Blue Capped Waxbill.

All the leading rare seedeater awards were won by S & J Fisher. Their Mexican House Finch won the section with a Red Headed Finch second and Yellow Winged Pytilla third. The Red Headed Finch was also best current year bred rare with second best current year bred also being a Red Headed Finch, this one owned by Nick Elliston.

Over 50 Australian finches were entered with the overall quality being high. Best in section went to a very good Painted Finch benched by Gary Wincomb. In second place, leading current year bred Australian and best current year bred in show was David Brown’s Cherry Finch whilst third best was David Lugo’s Parson Finch. Second best adult Australian was a Gouldian owned by D & H Harris with another David Brown Cherry Finch being third. Behind the leading current year bred entry was a Bicheno Finch and a Cherry finch owned by Gary Wincomb and David Brown respectively.

The softbill and nectar classes contained some outstanding exhibits. Best nectarfeeder and best exhibit in show was the outstanding Streaky Spiderhunter owned by Chris Allaway He also took the award for second best nectarfeeder with a Scarlet Chested Sunbird.

Best Softbill also went to Chris Allaway with an Azure Tanager. This bird was near to its best and not far from best in show. Second best softbill went to J & D Mullarky with a Paradise Tanager, with the same partnership taking the award for third best with an excellent Kikuyu Zosterop. Best current year bred went to Nick Elliston with a Kikuyu Zosterop.

There was strong competition in the Zebra Finch section. Best exhibit, best novice and best novice adult went to Gary Wincomb with Chestnut Flanked Whites.

B & J Rudling had a field day in the Champion section winning all the main awards. They took first, second and third in the champion adult section with Chestnut Flanked Whites and two Fawn exhibits, and in the champion breeder section first, second and third with two Chestnut Flanked White entries and Fawns. The leading Chesnut Flanked White breeder was also best Champion exhibit.

Behind the best Zebra exhibit in the novice adult section were two entries by D Eagle with Normals and Chestnut Flanked Whites. Gary Wincomb also won the novice breeder section with Chestnut Flanked Whites whilst Mr & Mrs P Smith were second and third with Fawn and Dilutes.

Other colour winners not mentioned above were Dennis Webster in the Penguin classes and David Lugo in the AOSV section.

The poor Bengalese section was won by Lisa Barnsdale.

The two leading Junior entries were both Lovebirds owned by Kieran Eagle.