Ivan Mamic 2025

Interview with Ivan Mamic – Open Breeder and Exhibitor

What sparked your interest in budgerigars and the hobby?
I got into budgies at a very young age, as most of us did. My father bought me a pair of budgies at the local market. It wasn’t long until he transformed the old chicken coop into a little flight with a nest box. It wasn’t long before the first egg was laid and the excitement I felt that day was surreal! A memory I still clearly remember. Not long after that, there were chicks everywhere and eventually he built me a bigger aviary.

How long have you been in the bird keeping hobby?
Well, when I got to my middle teens, budgies took a back seat, cars, girls and partying took over. It wasn’t until I was in my early 30’s that I got back into them. My wife says I was going through a mid-life crisis. Well, the mid-life crisis hasn’t ended! I’m now in my early 50’s and still going strong 20 years later.

How many breeding cages do you have at present and how long is your breeding season each typical year?
I run 36 cabinets. I generally start pairing after the Nationals and go through until the end of November.

What club do you represent on the show bench and what is one thing you most enjoy about the club?
I represent the Western Suburbs Budgerigar Society and I have been with the club from the beginning. They’re a lovely group of members and no one takes life too seriously! Heaps of fun laughs and banter!

What varieties do you keep, and which is your favourite?
I keep most of the varieties and in the last few years, I have taken on Recessive Pieds, Dark Eyed Clears, Lacewings, and this year will start Golden Faces, as no club members were breeding these varieties at the time. I thought the club needed someone to breed these varieties for the State Titles. My favourite variety is the Albino, hence my social media name “Ivan Albinoman”.

What is your favourite moment in the hobby and why?
My favourite moment was when I won my first Diploma back in 2014 with a Spangle Hen, what made it even more special, was she went on to win “Best in Show’. Never thought I would do that!

If you could choose one bird room anywhere in the world to visit and spend a day in, which would it be and why?
Without a doubt, it would be Daniel Lutolf, simply for getting the modern bird to where it is now! A close second would have to be Mike Ball.

What bloodlines have you used to influence your stud?
As a beginner, I had bits and pieces from everywhere, but with time, you learn the ropes and get some kind of system going in your stud. But looking at the birds now, they are predominantly influenced with Gary Gazzard, Mark & Bec Fellows and Troy Holmes. And recently my fellow club member and friend Wayne Cachia.

Who are the top couple of people in the hobby you highly respect and why?
Gary Gazzard for his help and advice – if I ever had a question, I give him a call and he gives me the answers and advice I’m looking for! He was a mentor to me many years ago and that’s the point where my birds started to improve. Second would be Owen Haddick, a fellow club member and friend. He has helped me out heaps over the years, a very generous and helping person.

What bird do you feel was your best bird and why?
I’d have to say a Cinnamonwing Grey Green Cock bird that I bred a few years ago. He finished 4^th in the Young Bird Shield, then got selected for the State Team and then went on to finish 7^th at the Nationals. The bird wasn’t a power bird, but his outline, shape and showmanship and his modern facial features got him past a lot of quality birds. He is the closest bird I have bred to the complete modern bird.

What other hobby/s or interests do you have?
Apart from budgies, not many these days. Back many moons ago, I raced Jet Ski’s at State and National Level for approx. 14 years and also competed in Body Building Competitions. I also did Martial Arts back in the day. Nowadays, it’s mostly fresh water fishing and driving my wife batty!

What does your aviary set up involve and how have you evolved it over the years as you’ve created new bird rooms?
My aviary is approx. 9 metres x 3 metres, made of a breeding room and two flights. Later this year, after the breeding season is over, the extension will start with all of the upgrades. It is a very basic set up at the moment.

What is one staple medication/preventative medicine you use and what do you use it for?
I don’t really use medications as such, but I do regularly use supplements but doxycycline is the only medication I use every 2 to 3 years, if required.

What is one issue in the hobby you think can be improved and how do you feel this could be improved?
There is nothing that comes to mind, issues will always arise but that’s life! The one thing I would suggest is that we need to be more mindful of potential new members, because they are hard to find and hold on to. As fanciers, we need to make them really feel welcome and make an effort.

What do you feel is the best piece of advice to provide to any beginner starting out in the hobby or fellow hobbyist?
One of my fellow members David Broughton once told me “Ivan – it’s not a race, remember that big long word – PATIENCE!” and I subconsciously remind myself of this to this day, but I feel after 20 years on, I’m running out of patience! That would be my advice to all fanciers!

What do you want to achieve with your budgerigars?
The holy grail of budgies, to win a LOGIE of course!