Tom Andrew Luke 2026

Fancier in Focus: Andrew Luke – Tom & Andrew Luke Partnership (UK)

The ANBC Gazette is proud to feature Andrew Luke of the respected Tom & Andrew Luke partnership in the United Kingdom — a father-and-son combination that has quietly and consistently built one of the most admired exhibition studs in Britain. Their success has not come overnight. It has been forged over decades through discipline, partnership, and an unwavering commitment to quality above all else.

Andrew’s introduction to budgerigars was rooted in family tradition. His father, Tom, had already reached Champion status in the hobby before stepping away due to business and family commitments. The birdroom fell quiet, but not for long. Andrew began using the old facilities to breed finches, canaries and even chickens. Gradually, a few budgerigars found their way back in — and with that simple step, Tom’s passion reignited.

Around 1990, the Tom & Andrew Luke partnership was officially formed. From the beginning, it was structured differently to many family setups. The birds were never divided into “mine” or “his.” They were one unified stud. Either partner could enter the other’s birdroom and select any bird for breeding. That open and trusting philosophy has remained a cornerstone of their success.

Building a Modern Stud

Today, the Luke partnership operates from two birdrooms. Tom’s larger brick-built birdroom houses the majority of the stud and is equipped with 60 Oestringer Trespa breeding cages, three three-quarter height flights, a large trolley cage and a double trolley cage. Andrew’s birdroom, located in a converted garage at his home, contains 32 Trespa breeding cages and additional trolley space.

The setup has evolved significantly over the years. When they first started, they had just 24 breeding cages and two large flights. By 2004, expansion was necessary, leading to the construction of a much larger brick birdroom with 44 breeding cages and two substantial flights. Over time, adjustments were made to improve practicality. The partners now favour three-quarter height flights, finding them easier to clean and far more efficient for checking birds.

While 60 breeding cages are available, they rarely use more than 52 in a season. This restraint reflects their philosophy of maintaining manageable numbers and ensuring birds are never overcrowded. Stress reduction and cleanliness remain key priorities.

Exhibiting at the Highest Level

The partnership exhibits exclusively in the Champion section and are members of the Budgerigar Society — an organisation Andrew values highly for its inclusiveness and its responsibility for organising one of the UK’s most prestigious annual shows.

They attend between 12 and 15 shows per year, including most of the major events across Britain. Andrew openly admits he thrives on the competitive side of the hobby, but never at the expense of breeding excellence.

Among many highlights, one recent moment stands out: winning Best in Show at the Gwynedd Budgerigar Society — one of the UK’s largest shows — with a Spangle Cinnamon Grey cock. Yet, for Andrew, some of the most meaningful victories occur quietly in the breeding cage.

“When you see a super baby in the nest box, especially when you’re in partnership with your dad, that’s an amazing feeling.”

Quality Before Colour

The Luke partnership breeds across a wide range of varieties including Normals, Cinnamons, Opalines, Opaline Cinnamons, Yellowfaces, Dominant Pieds, Spangles and Lacewings. However, Andrew is adamant that variety is secondary.

“Everything is focused on visual quality rather than breeding specific varieties. The best birds stay. The rest go.”

This disciplined approach shapes every pairing decision. A cock bird must be visually strong to be used. Faults are never paired together. Outcrosses are introduced sparingly — only 12 in the past 10 years — ensuring the stud maintains consistency while still progressing.

If a particular feature is identified as exceptional, the partners will deliberately “double up” to cement that trait within the line. Conversely, they avoid introducing weaknesses that could dilute the overall standard.

Andrew offers firm advice for breeders looking to progress:

• Visit as many top breeders as possible.
• Build genuine relationships within the hobby.
• Do not rush to buy from numerous sources.
• Work with one or two studs whose type matches your vision.
• It is better to purchase an average bird from a super stud than a better bird from an average stud.

Above all, he emphasises one rule:

“Never sell your best birds — they are your stud’s future.”

Feeding & Nutrition

The feeding regime is comprehensive and carefully balanced. Their dry seed mix consists of 45% plain canary seed, 45% white millet, 5% Johnson & Jeff tonic seed and 5% naked oats. Birds are fed every other day, with fresh softfood placed on top of the dry seed. After two days, remaining food is discarded and replaced — often given to the chickens.

The softfood mix is extensive and includes:

• Fresh apple, turmeric, ginger, sweetcorn, peas and a minimum of seven vegetables
• Six boiled eggs
• Sprouted seeds and pulses
• Eggfood blends and rusk
• Chia seed, quinoa, herbs, coconut and seaweed
• Garlic, fennel, black pepper and chilli flakes
• Specialised supplements including probiotics

Fresh herbs and branches of eucalyptus and willow are provided regularly, both for nutritional value and enrichment.

Health, Hygiene & Air Quality

Health management is proactive rather than reactive. Preventative treatments include Ronidazole two to three times annually, Exzolt twice yearly, and sodium benzoate outside breeding season. Birds in flights are sprayed monthly with Vetafarm AIL.

Sick birds are isolated with heated platforms and provided millet sprays and floor feed to encourage recovery. Andrew will crop-feed with metronidazole if trichomoniasis is suspected.

Air quality is considered critical. Budgerigars produce significant dust, which impacts both bird and human health. Fans are used continuously to circulate and refresh air. Breeding cages are cleaned weekly, flights fortnightly. Robot vacuum cleaners operate up to 20 times per day to maintain hygiene standards.

During breeding season, Andrew checks birds at 6:30am and again around 5pm after work — a testament to the discipline required to maintain a high-performance stud.

Influences & Global Perspective

Andrew holds enormous respect for the late Rheinhard Molkentin of South Africa, describing him as a “budgie genius.” Visits to Molkentin’s stud left a lasting impression, particularly the meticulous health standards and willingness to share knowledge.

He is equally enthusiastic about visiting leading breeders across Europe, the Middle East and Australia, noting that elite birds are now bred worldwide. The globalisation of the hobby, in his view, makes continuous learning essential.

Concerns for the Hobby

Andrew’s main concern is the declining number of active exhibitors and the impatience of newer breeders expecting rapid success.

“It takes many years to build a stud capable of competing year after year. Too many people expect to be winning within a few seasons.”

For Andrew, sustained success comes from patience, honesty in selection and relentless focus on quality.

Beyond the Birdroom

Outside of budgerigars, Andrew is a horticulturalist with a love of plants and gardening. He supports Liverpool Football Club and enjoys a good steak and the Rocky film series. His ambitions are simple but heartfelt: purchase a house with a larger garden, build an even bigger birdroom, and travel more with his family.

The Tom & Andrew Luke partnership represents the enduring values of our hobby — family, discipline, patience and a genuine love of the birds. Their journey is proof that sustained excellence is built not on shortcuts, but on decades of thoughtful breeding and unwavering standards.

On behalf of the ANBC Gazette, we thank Andrew for sharing his insights and wish the Luke partnership continued success on the show bench and in the breeding cage.