Show Information
BAA (Budgerigar Association of America)
TSBS (Tri-State Budgerigar Society)
Introduction
This show is only open to the parakeet species Melopsittacus undulates. Native
to Australia and bred for both pet and exhibition purposes, they are known as
budgerigars, budgies, English parakeets, American parakeets, and shell parakeets,
to name a few.
Two separate categories of birds will be judged. One is for owner bred and banded
exhibition budgerigars with five divisions of classes, as listed in the provided
BAA Schedule of Classes. These birds will ultimately vie for Best in Show (BIS)
awards and Best of Variety Challenge Certificates (CC). The second category has
two divisions for pets with no requirements for birds to be banded or bred by the
exhibitor. The larger exhibition (English) budgies as well as the smaller common
birds, referred to as parakeets (American), can be entered in this open pet category.
Each bird may be entered in only one category, division and class. Birds entered
incorrectly risk being disqualified. Every attempt will be made to correct errors
before the correct class is judged. Ask for assistance if unsure of how or where
to enter birds. Exhibitors may not enter a division below what they are qualified for.
If entering a higher division, you must remain at that level for future shows.
Show committee reserves the right to check band numbers or refuse exhibits considered
detrimental to the show.
Security / Checking In and Checking Out
There have been some unfortunate events in recent years at other shows which
have resulted in exhibitors going home without the birds they brought to the show.
Although there is no way to know if this was due to an accidental or deliberate act
by another exhibitor or guest, the fact is that the birds have not been returned
to their respectful owners with an apology for the error. The fact that this is
happening is a total disgrace to our hobby and the perpetrator(s) should be
ashamed that you violated the trust of fellow budgerigar enthusiasts.
It has become common practice for exhibitors to go up to the final bench and to
the staging area behind the bench after the show to collect their own birds.
The members of Tri-State understand that everyone is in a rush to get home but
this practice will absolutely no longer be allowed at our shows.
The end of the show becomes very chaotic with raffle drawings going off,
people grabbing birds, awards being presented, dismantling of staging and
tables, and the cleanup of the hall. Tri-State strongly feels that it has
become necessary to implement a higher level of security at our show to
better protect our exhibitors from loss and to maintain a sense of safety
and order. We do not feel that the precautions we will be putting in place
will have that great of an impact on the length of the day or be an
inconvenience to you. It is of greater importance to us that everyone leaves
our show with all of their birds and that they will be able to go home with
the idea that they had a good experience and will want to return. In fact,
it is our goal that this club becomes a model and other clubs begin using a
similar approach in the way that birds are checked out.
By entering your exhibits in our show, you fully understand that just as in
the morning during check in when Stewards take the birds from you and stage them,
the Stewards will also be responsible for returning them to you in the afternoon.
All birds entered, with the exception of those in the Pet Divisions, must remain
in the show until the end. Only the Judge or Stewards will handle the show cages
throughout the day. No exhibitors or guests will enter the staging area at all
for any reason. No cages will be removed from the final benches other than for
photographs at the time exhibitors are invited to do so and then the cage will
be put back into its spot on the bench. All exhibitors entering this show agree
to allow birds on the final winning bench for BAA Divisions, Best in Show, and
Challenge Certificates to remain on display for viewing and photographs, for no
less than 20 minutes. This is for the enjoyment and consideration of all those
present.
Bring patience with you on show day and please familiarize yourselves in advance
with the steps on how the show will close and what security measures will take
place. If everyone is aware of the procedure, there will be a smooth transition
with compliance from all present. There will be no confusion, problems, or
short tempers. Here is a summary of the order of how we plan to handle the end
of the show.
1. Near the end of the show, as the Champion Division winners are being selected,
the names of winners for the table prizes will be pulled and prizes will be given out.
2. As the judge is working toward Best in Show and during the viewing of the winning
birds, there will be cake and coffee served.
3. The judge makes his final choices; tags are marked; ribbons and awards are given
out.
4. The names and final placing of winners are revealed; any announcements are made.
5. The audience members will remain seated or well away from the winning birds
while only the working show personnel - including Stewards, Photographers, Table
Prize Workers, Show Secretary, etc. - get called to the bench to view the birds
or take pictures for up to 10 minutes.
6. After the show personnel have had their time to view the birds, they will
return to their posts to work. At that point the remaining exhibitors and guests
will be invited to the bench to view and photograph birds for 10 minutes.
After the viewing period, everyone will be asked to step away from the bench
and be seated or stay well away from the bench. This is necessary so the Stewards
may move about freely to retrieve birds from the final bench.
7. Once the Stewards have returned to their stations after viewing the winners,
exhibitors will form a line at the designated "check out" area. Each exhibitor will
then hand their copy of the entry form to a Steward and then step away. Club members
are asked to wait until after all other exhibitors retrieve their birds.
8. A Steward will first retrieve an exhibitor's birds which have not won awards
from the rear staging area. Birds will not begin to be removed from the winning show
bench until after the minimum 20 minute viewing period has passed. When your birds
have been gathered, your name will be called to the "pickup" area. Identification
may be asked for if you are unfamiliar to the Steward. Your entry form will be
checked off as your show cages are returned to you. As soon as the exhibitor
and Steward are confident that all birds have been correctly returned, the
exhibitor must sign for them and remove them immediately from the pickup area.
A Steward will gladly assist you to an area where you can cage up your birds
or help you to your car.
9. Do not leave your property or birds unattended once you have them back in
your possession. Have someone trusted watch them for you while you are using the
restroom, selling birds, packing your vehicle, etc. or helping.
10. All vendors, exhibitors, and guests are asked to gather up their belongings
and exit the building as soon as possible after the show is over and birds are
returned, unless they are helping with the cleanup of the hall. Please do not wait
until the end of the day to sell or buy birds or to chat. The sooner we can get
the show hall emptied and cleaned, the sooner we can lock up the building and head
over to begin the cookout afterwards, where there will be plenty of time to buy,
sell, trade, and talk.
Entry Guidelines BAA Divisions - for all exhibitor bred and banded birds There are five levels - Junior, Novice, Intermediate, Champion, and
At Risk Mutation (ARM)
Note: At Risk Mutation Division (ARM) - Sections 30 - 40
This division, comprised of varieties and colors considered rare, will be the
first BAA division judged following pet birds. These birds are shown together
even though the exhibitors may be from any of the other four divisions. ARM
birds are ranked for placement without regard to exhibitor status. Winners are
compared later to the best birds in the exhibitor's respective division for
possible placement there and the BIS bench.
TSBS Divisions - for pets; banded or not; owner bred or
not A) Pet - Large Exhibition Type (English)
BAA criteria is used to judge English budgies. The best ten birds are ranked
based solely on show quality appearance; not pet appeal.
B) Pet - Small Pet Type (American)
Friendlier, more-creative criteria is used to award certificates based
on pet appeal; not show quality. Examples are Most Colorful, Most Acrobatic,
Friendliest, Best Talker, etc.
You may enter a bird into either pet division; depending on what type of award
you are trying to win. Keep in mind, a small type pet will not fairly compete
against the larger exhibition birds in A; a large exhibition type would not
have an advantage in B. Birds with clipped wings or multiple throat spots
may be shown but this may result in a lower ranking in A. Children
entering A may be disappointed if they place low or not at all.
Rules Apply to all birds unless exceptions are noted:
• Entry Period: All birds must be entered
in the show between the hours of 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Entries close at 10:00 AM
and the judging will begin promptly, beginning with the pet birds.
• Fee: The Show Secretary shall provide a Show Catalog or Schedule
of Classes, Entry Form, and the appropriate numbered Show Cage Tags to each
exhibitor after receiving payment of a $3.00 entry fee per bird, per division.
There is a maximum charge of $30, as there is no fee beyond ten birds in each
division.
• Cages: BAA - Only one bird per standard show cage will be allowed;
no marks, names, toys, seed or water cups on or in cage; seed allowed on cage
bottom. Exhibitors must provide their own cages.
• Cages: TSBS - Any cage is fine (smaller preferred); no more than
two birds in a cage and they must be entered in the same division; no names visible;
toys, seed or water cups allowed. Exhibitors must provide their own cages.
• Birds: Must be bred by the exhibitor, wearing closed
bands traceable to that exhibitor.
TSBS - does not apply to pet birds.
• Classes: Birds must be entered according to the current
BAA Schedule of Classes provided. Birds entered in a "young" class must wear
a 2011 band.
TSBS - does not apply to pet birds.
• Entry Form: Two part form must be completely filled out.
o Name, address, band code, division, section, class and bird's description must be given.
o Show Secretary will issue numbered division show tags.
o Complete your show tags with name, address, band code,
section, class and bird's description.
o Hang tag for matching bird on left of horizontal
cage bar.
o Stewards will check form, tags and birds; give
exhibitor yellow copy of entry form and then stage your birds.
TSBS - Exhibitors need not fill in portions for band code,
section, class or bird's description.
• Judging: The judge ranks each division's birds starting with
class, then section and on to top ten; can be up to thirteen birds. BAA format
calls for the division winners to have a first place known as Best, and a Best
Opposite Sex, Best Young and Best Opposite Sex Young, provided that birds to
fill those positions were entered. All Division winners will be compared for
possible placement on the Best in Show bench, which follows the same format.
TSBS - For Pet Division A, entered birds are ranked 1st up to 10th; does not
apply to Pet Division B.
Providing that there are birds entered in each category, the order of
judging will start and follow in this order unless there is a reason to
deviate on the day of the show: Pet, At Risk Mutation, Junior, Novice,
Intermediate, Champion, Best in Show, and CC determination. Classes and
Sections will be judged in numerical order for each Division.
• Variety Awards: CC winners will be determined as Divisions are
judged and at Best in Show selection; certain criteria must be met.
Responsibility Waiver
Entry and payment constitutes acceptance of all show rules. TSBS and its members
accept no liability or responsibility for loss or damage to exhibited birds,
property or for injuries to any members, exhibitors, vendors or guests either at,
or in route to or from, this show or any meeting or function of the club.