TBBFA is one of the oldest bird clubs in Texas and has been hosting bird shows for over 50 years. Our focus is to educate through showing our birds. We invite you to join us to watch the proceedings or show your birds. Bird shows are not just competition between the exhibitors, but a way to learn more about birds. 

You also may see some birds in the show that normally aren’t on display in pet shops, zoos or other public places. Also, the birds on exhibit are good examples of quality birds. You can listen to the judges’ comments and learn what to look for that makes one bird physically better than another. After you spend a day at the show, you will have a different way of looking at birds. Although the show ultimately is a beauty contest, the greatest benefit is determining how to choose good breeding stock or high quality pets by knowing the physical qualities that are desired in a species.

How does the judging work?

Each of the exhibitors registers their birds with the show secretary and pays their entry fees. The show cages are marked with a show tag that has the division, section and class in which the bird is entered. The name of the owner also is on the tag, but the tag is folded over the owner’s name that is left hidden until the final winners are announced.

After registration, the exhibitors take their birds to the proper area for their division. At the TBBFA show we have Cockatiels, Finches and Softbills, Love Birds, Canaries, Budgerigars and Parrots. You can see all of the different sections and classes for each division in the show catalogs. (Show catalogs are available at each division.) The exhibitors check their birds in with the steward and secretary for their division. The steward is responsible for the organization of the show and the safety of all of the exhibitors’ birds. The secretary keeps copies of each exhibitor’s entry sheet and keeps written record of show proceedings. The area where the birds are kept before and after the show is off limits to everyone except the show stewards, judge and secretary. Exhibitors will pick up their birds from the steward after the show is complete.

Once the birds are checked in with the steward, they are placed on tables in the order that they will appear in the show. After the deadline for final check-in is past, the judge will enter the area and go through the birds making sure that each is accounted for and is placed in the proper class. The show secretary makes changes and verifies the written records with the judge and steward. After the judge and steward are satisfied that the birds are in order, the show begins.

Most judges will make comments as they complete each section and even take questions from the audience about the birds. The judges are knowledgeable individuals who love to help others learn about birds. Listen carefully to the judge’s remarks and watch carefully as the birds are being judged. Try to guess which birds will place the highest and keep notes on your catalog as the judging proceeds. Soon you will understand some of the basic concepts behind how the birds are being rated.

The birds will be judged in classes within each section. The judge chooses the first, second and third place bird in the class. Once the judge places a bird in a class, that bird cannot be moved ahead of any of the  birds that placed higher in its own class. When all of the classes of the section are complete, the first and second place birds from each class are put on the show bench. If the judge believes that a third or fourth place bird from one class is better than a first or second place bird from another class, he may place them higher. The judge then chooses the top three birds in the section and rewards them with ribbons.

The judging will continue in this manner until all of the sections are complete. Then the first and second place birds from each section will be placed on the show bench. The judge has to narrow down this group of birds to the ten best in the division. Again, the judge has the freedom to place third and fourth place birds from one section over first and second place birds from another. The birds cannot move places forward in their own section. Finally, the judge determines first through tenth places for the division. These birds have made “top bench” or the very best in their division.

If you enjoy the bird show and would like to learn how to participate in the future, talk to the exhibitors, secretaries, stewards and judges. Novice exhibitors are always welcome and experienced exhibitors are happy to take you under their wing.