Pairing For Improvement 1995

PAIRING EXHIBITION BUDGERIGARS FOR IMPROVEMENT

A Presentation given at the Nationals in Hobart Tasmania in 1995

INTRODUCTION

For most fanciers, the ultimate goal is to produce birds that display the exhibition qualities defined in their governing body’s Standard of Perfection. In Australia, this refers specifically to The Standard – Australian National Budgerigar Council description of perfection.

Achieving this ideal is far from simple.

Effective pairing for improvement is an art in which Genetics and Visual Attributes, each contribute to the breeder’s decision-making.

The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines pairing in part as:

1. “Two things (features perhaps, genes perhaps) of a kind designed for use together.”
2. “Something made up of two corresponding (matching) pieces.”

These definitions neatly capture the essence of what we seek in breeding: the thoughtful combination of complementary features—and, by extension, genes—to advance the quality of exhibition budgerigars.

Visual assessment

Setting genetics aside—visual assessment will always vary from one fancier to another. Some differences are subtle, others dramatic, and this naturally results in a wide range of features appearing on the show bench at any given time.

A breeder’s skill is often reflected in the uniformity of the birds they exhibit. However, this requires clarification: an exhibitor may present a team of birds that are uniform yet still fall short of the qualities demanded by The Standard. The true measure of ability becomes clear when visiting an aviary where the uniformity seen on the show bench is matched by depth of quality throughout the entire stud. When that consistency aligns with The Standard, you are observing the work of a genuinely talented breeder.

I have been fortunate to visit many outstanding aviaries across Europe and the United Kingdom, but none surpassed the depth of super quality found throughout the stud of Jo Mannes (now deceased) at that time. His birds exemplified uniform excellence across all varieties he kept. There are many establishments now worldwide that certainly have incredible quality and depth.

What Is the Recipe for Improvement?

There is no single, definitive method for improving the quality of budgerigars within an aviary. Breeders often hold differing views on what constitutes the “correct” approach, and countless variables influence outcomes. Techniques that seem insignificant to one experienced breeder may be highly valued by another.

A practical starting point is to ‘dissect’ the bird into its individual components and assess each area for potential improvement. For example:

• Head: bone structure, directional feather, frontal rise, crown feather length, eye placement, beak and cere shape and or width of beak and or cere
• Mask: depth, spot size, spot shape
• Wing: primary and secondary flights, coverts, scapulars, feather length/width/shape, markings
• Body: overall shape, feather structure and so on.

Some breeders prefer pairing birds that excel visually but have no known genetic relationship. This approach can produce results, but I personally favoured pairings with at least some genetic linkage, as it provides greater predictability. During my visit to the United Kingdom years back (when we were able to bring birds into Australia) I purchased several outcrosses from different breeders whose birds displayed features I wished to strengthen in my own stud of the day. These outcrosses may take time to integrate, or—if genetically compatible or simply by good fortune—they may “click” immediately, potentially saving years of work.

Let us assume you are an established breeder with only a small number of birds exhibiting the desirable traits you wish to expand. Your goal is to increase both the quantity and uniformity of these features, with The Standard firmly in mind.

This is the point at which genetics becomes essential. Returning to the dictionary, the definition of “genetic” that I find most relevant is: “of or relating to the origin.” Understanding the origin of your birds—and how traits are inherited—is fundamental to building consistent improvement over time.

The Desire to Improve

If we are genuinely committed to improving our stud, all non-visual or otherwise unsuitable birds must be removed from the breeding program. Keeping them only creates the temptation to pair birds “just for numbers.” The remaining birds should be carefully assessed so their strengths and weaknesses are clearly understood.

Let’s assume that several of the retained birds are related to varying degrees, and that the two best individuals are strong cocks—brothers—with a selection of acceptable hens available. The next step is to pair each cock to two or three hens to produce a reasonable number of closely related youngsters, with the expectation that some visual improvement will emerge.

From here, several options exist to further consolidate and enhance the desirable traits (assuming a workable ratio of cocks to hens). These include father–daughter, uncle–niece, mother–son, and cousin–cousin pairings. Such close interbreeding is used deliberately to preserve and fix the features we value while eliminating those we do not.

After a few seasons of ruthless elimination and consistent interbreeding, you should begin to see the features you are aiming to establish appearing reliably and in increasing numbers—forming the foundation of a true stud.

A Second Line

If possible, develop a second line of birds that excels in a different feature. Ideally, this second line still traces back to the original foundation cock(s), but through an unrelated or purchased quality hen.

The purpose is strategic:

• Maintains genetic similarity between lines
• Allows future crosses that blend strengths without losing established traits
• Increases the probability of enhancing both lines’ key features

Individual Style

When a breeder consistently produces birds with similar standout features, the hobby begins to recognise that as a distinct “strain” or “style”. Examples are Kakoschke, Scoble, Mannes — breeders known for a consistent visual signature in their birds at the time of the writing the initial paper in 1995 for presentation at the National event in Tasmania that year. Achieving a recognisable style is framed as a mark of mastery, provided the style is of quality.

Directional Feather

In my own aviary of the day, I tried to concrete a ‘Directional feather’ family, a ‘Deep masked, large spotted’ family with Shoulder combining these families while still keeping an eye on other desirable features.

I paired with the future in mind, experimenting with varying features: pairing these birds with the hope that “that little bit extra” would emerge to enhance the visual beauty of the exhibition budgerigar.

German View

Whilst visiting a number of German aviaries at that time, I was advised that one should pair a bird that excels in directional (sideways) feather to a bird that excels in cap (up an over) feather to improve the ‘top end’ for exhibition purposes.

I tended to double up on directional feather – as poor as it was at the time of this presentation compared to the 2025 /26 ‘models’, to try and make improvements in that area.

It is imperative that other exhibition features are not ignored for the sake of one feature, thus the importance of keeping The Standard embedded in your mind during the pairing process.

It is also important to understand that not all birds are produced for exhibition purposes – stock birds or birds with specific features should be part of the collection for future improvement.

The Mannes Birds

Jo seemed to have been able to ‘dissect’ the budgerigar, feather wise, to achieve his unique style of the day.

Breeding With the Future in Mind

The philosophy is long-term, not short-term and consciously shaping the next generation and beyond, not just pairing for immediate show results.

Quotes from “Practical Inbreeding” by W. Watmough

‘The great role of inbreeding should be the elimination of undesirable traits and the doubling-up of desirable ones’

‘If young from inbred animals are so weak they cannot survive, they show beyond a doubt that within the germ plasm of the parents there are genes which, when combined, actually kill the offspring. Therefore, is it not highly desirable to rid the breed of them’

In Conclusion

Whatever is discussed or written on the pairing of budgerigars is only a guide and we as individuals will usually be guided by our own feelings at the end of the day.

Nigel Tonkin, 1995