The fast-growing Foreign Section within the SWZFC & SWBFC combined open show.

At the recent combined open show for the South Western Zebra Finch Club and the South Western Bengalese Club a fast-growing Foreign Bird section was supported by 7 exhibitors benching 29 entries between them and ably Judged by Alex Norris and stewarded by Paul Ley.

It was noted some 6 years ago by the South Western Zebra Finch Club that local bird clubs had ceased to be holding shows which included Foreign Birds or had folded, including the Exeter Budgerigar and Foreign Bird Society, Exeter Cage Bird Society. Torbay Budgerigar and Foreign Bird Society and Riviera Bird Keepers. A Foreign Bird section was introduced as part of the combined Zebra Finch and Bengalese Finch club’s open show schedule and has steadily grown from ‘a few’ to the current show entry numbers.

In this recent show, some members of both Finch clubs also exhibited their Foreign Birds along with open exhibitors with the following results-

Best Foreign Bird in Show and Best Australian Finch was awarded to Nigel Smith for his Parson’s Finch. (Nigel also took Best Zebra Finches in Show).

Best Current Year Owner Bred in Show went to Ian Mitchell’s Gouldian, and his Napoleon Weaver (Yellow Bishop) won Best Seedeater.

Best Current Year Owner Bred Parrotlike was awarded to James Eggins for his Lineated Parrotlet.

Congratulations to those winners and a big thankyou to everyone who supported this section of the show and hope to see you all again next year.

A special thank you to Derrick Bates and Gina McGee for acting as show secretaries for this section and for both Finch clubs.

Best Foreign in Show- Parson's Finch Nigel Smith

Nigel receiving trophies from Mavis Dawson 

Proud double winner with Foreign and Zebra Finches

Ian Mitchell receives his trophies from Paul Paintain 

Best Current Year Bred (Gouldian) for Ian Mitchell

James Eggins receiving his trophy for Best Parrotlike.