Yellow plumage gained admiration as tricolour ribbons were awarded at Dubbo at the weekend.
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One budgie in fine feather scored plenty of glances from other breeders and captured the all-important praise of the judge.
The yellow beauty won grand champion budgerigar at the Orana Avicultural Society’s annual show.
Bred by long-time birdkeeper John Scoble of Dubbo, he was one of about 700 entries from across the state.
The event brought a bright splash of colour to a Dubbo Showground pavilion, with competition in the budgerigar, canary, parrot, finch and zebra finch classes.
Mr Scoble said he was confident his winning budgie, a two-year-old double factor spangle, had a fair chance at a prize.
He has been competing for more than 50 years but a newer breeder also found success at the weekend.
Craig Barber’s normal green budgie entered in the novice category was awarded second best in show by judge Matt Campbell.
Avicultural society publicity officer and budgie breeder Mark Hawke applauded the efforts of Mr Barber, a shearer from Dubbo.
“To see a novice breeder come in second in show is pretty rare,” he said.
Birdkeepers came from Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Young, Parkes and Narromine for the one-day event on Sunday.
“We’re pleased with the roll-up, the quality of birds here is exceptional,” Mr Hawke said.
He gave an insight into birdkeeping.
“It requires a lot of patience, luck and a bit of skill,” he said.
“It’s a hard hobby but a rewarding one.”
