South Western Zebra Finch Club

South Western Zebra, Bengalese and Foreign Finch Society,

Sunday 9^th of August 2026 was a day for the Society’s Vice Chairman Adrian Wills to remember with his double major win at the society’s Summer Show where he took Best in Show Zebras with a pair of adult Fawn and Best in Show Bengalese with his variegated pair. That’s not all, he also took the award for Best Single Zebra Finch with a CFW hen.

Judges for this event were 1^st time judging Andy Nethercott for Zebras and Ron Dewberry Bengalese and Foreign.

In all, over 60 cages were entered in the show being divided by Zebra Finches shown in pairs and a single class but broken down to Adult and Breeder. In the Bengalese section, pairs were exhibited in pairs with ‘Self’, ‘Variegated’ and single bird classes. Both Champion and Novice compete in the same class. In the Foreign section these were shown to perfection with the Best Foreign in Show being awarded to Bradley Roberts for his striking Gouldian Finch.

The Summer Show was introduced by the then South Western Zebra Finch club as a fun day in which young birds were given some show training in readiness for the Zebra Finch area shows and was held in the Skittle Ally of a Working Man’s type club in Kingsteignton Devon. Over the years it has grown to include the Bengalese Finch and Foreign birds with the Zebra Finch schedule being expanded from all birds in the same colour class to Champion, Novice and Junior adult and breeder being judged separately with an award for Best Champion and Novice Breeders. The best of each colour, (of which there are 8) are then judged for Best Zebras in Show, down to 7^th placing. Each best of colour and their placing are awarded with a Rosette for both.

The following results are the winners in the show. -

Best Zebras, Best Fawn and Best Single Bird Adrian Wills

2^nd Best Zebras, Best Novice Breeder. Ashley Hooper. (a 2^nd Fawn to make up 7 placings)

3rd Best Zebras, Best Dilute, (Light Back) Ashley Hooper

4^th Best Zebras, Best White, Best Champion Breeder Cannan & Paintain.

5^th Best Zebras, Best CFW. Ashley Hooper.

6^th Best Zebra, Best Pied. Cannan & Paintain.

7^th Best Zebra, Best Normal Bates and McGee.

In the Bengalese section winners were-

Best Bengalese, Best Variegated. Adrian Wills.

Best Self Bengalese and Best Single Bengalese. Bates and McGee

Best Foreign Bird Bradley Robers

Thank you to Haith’s Seeds, who sponsored awards of Rosettes and Seed vouchers and awarded to The Best Zebras and Best Foreign.

The 3 Cage & Aviary Bird magazine sponsored Diplomas were awarded to the winner of both Zebra and Bengalese sections and the 3^rd to Best Foreign. Thank you Cage and Aviary Birds magazine.

Last but not least, a massive Thanks to Peter Cannan for organising, administrating and presenting the awards.