Bob Cowburn 2025

Fancier In Focus: Bob Cowburn

For Bob Cowburn, the love of budgerigars has been there from the very beginning.
“I have always had an interest in birds,” Bob says. “My grandfather kept budgerigars in an outdoor aviary, and that really lit the fire for me.”
By the mid-1980s, that spark turned into a serious hobby. “I started breeding budgerigars then, so it’s been about forty years now. Wow—when you say it like that, it sounds like a lifetime!”

A Manageable Stud

These days Bob prefers to keep things at a level that still feels like fun.
“I currently have 30 cabinets. I’ve had more in the past, but it became a job rather than a hobby. Thirty is a good number—it keeps me busy without being overwhelming.”

Living in Canberra, Bob works around the seasons.
“It gets very cold in winter and very hot in summer, so I pair up in July and breed through to December, then maybe set a few pairs again in March through to May.”

Club Life

Bob proudly represents the Canberra Budgerigar Club on the show bench.
“It’s a revitalised club,” he explains. “We don’t have a lot of exhibition breeders locally, but we’re working on that. What I really like is that the club is inclusive—we’ve got members with the old style budgies and members with pet budgies. We all share a common interest and get along really well.”

Varieties & Favourites

Bob admits he might keep “too many varieties,” but some always stand out.
“Cinnamonwings and Dominant Pieds are my favourites. I also like a good Normal, but they’re hard to get and harder to breed.”

Hobby Highlights

Like many of us, one of his proudest moments came on the national stage.
“At the 2016 Nationals in Tassie I came fourth in the Greywings. To represent your state at the Nationals is such an honour, and that result meant a lot.”

Another standout memory was a Cinnamonwing Grey Green cock.
“He won a couple of Best in Shows and Champion Young Bird. Unfortunately, I lost him before I could reproduce him. He was a beauty.”

Influences & Role Models

Bob has never been one to chase famous bloodlines.
“I usually just buy a bird I like or that has a feature I need.”
Asked about role models, he doesn’t hesitate.
“I really respect Percy Annlezark and Reg Bohringer. I’ve known them both for a long time. They represent what the hobby should be about—always there to help newcomers, always willing to lend or even give you a bird. Just great guys.”

The Aviary & Beyond

Bob’s birdroom features 30 cabinets and mobile cages with outdoor access.
“It keeps the birds healthy—even when it drops to minus five at night.”
He keeps medication simple:
“An antibiotic and a hospital cage. That works most of the time. I also follow Dr Rob Marshall’s pre-breeding programme.”

Outside the aviary, life is full.
“Pat and I have four children and ten grandchildren. She loves hosting morning or afternoon teas—her coffee and scones are top shelf—and she even does the deep clean of the bird room. I just do the quick daily clean,” Bob laughs.
He’s also a sports fan: “I follow rugby league—Go Canberra Raiders!—and in English football I support Burnley, who have just made it back into the Premier League.”

Hopes & Advice

Bob is frank about the challenges facing the hobby.
“I feel the hobby is in decline. It seems to be more about the auctions than the exhibition, and the high prices deter newcomers. We need to make it more accessible.”

His advice for beginners is simple:
“Find someone with good birds, get some if you can, and stick with that line until you know what you’re doing. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Start with just a couple of varieties.”
As for his own goals, Bob says:
“I want to keep enjoying breeding budgerigars, meeting new people with the same interests—and one day, I’d love to place higher than fourth at the Nationals.”

Want to share your own journey in the hobby or nominate an overseas fancier for a future feature?
Get in touch with the ANBC Gazette editorial team—we’d love to hear from you.