About Us
Showing Your Cockatiels
| Many more wonderful articles have been written about exhibiting Cockatiels. Here are just a few: Did You Ever Think About Exhibiting Your Birds? A Novice's View By Peggy Avila Introductory Information About NCS Cockatiel Shows by Keith Reimer It's Show Time! by NCS Member Carolyn Singleton Working Toward The NCS Visual Standard by NCS Member - Amy Patria A Select Group - about the NCS Judges Panel The Novice Exhibitors Guide by Julie Allen, Shirley Bigham and Allen Fox Rewarding Genes on the Show Bench by Linda S. Rubin |
| To view a sketch of the NCS Visual Standard in a separate browser window, click here |
| The first decision to make when deciding to show your beautiful Cockatiel to the world, is what club to join. Currently, two main clubs are available. NCS, The National Cockatiel Society, is the nation's #1 non-profit organization dedicated to providing information on the proper care, handling, maintenance and breeding of cockatiels. It's also responsible for many of the shows throughout the country. Members of NCS also have access to a host of helpful articles regarding mutations, linebreeding and other helpful topics written by some of the best breeders in the country. ACS, The American Cockatiel Society, covers the complete field of Cockatiels, from the pet owner to the champion breeder, with their informative magazine. Included in the magazine are articles from their panel of expert advisors who are on staff to answer questions from their members on genetics, pet care, breeding and management. Both of these organizations have many members nationwide and a ton of reasons why the Cockatiel owner, breeder or exhibitor should join. Exhibition Cockatiels should always be banded. Both NCS and ACS sell these bands which are applied over the foot of the chick at or about the age of three weeks (larger bred chicks should be banded by seven days). |
Cockatiels have always been a wonderful way to introduce folks into the world of breeding birds.
Many of us started with a pair or two and in no time at all, we were feeding chicks, learning a lot and
smiling from ear to ear at our new accomplishments! These young birds – the product of all of our
Many of us started with a pair or two and in no time at all, we were feeding chicks, learning a lot and
smiling from ear to ear at our new accomplishments! These young birds – the product of all of our
| To view photos from the 2005 Nationals, click here |
| To view a video of the 2005 National Cage Bird Cockatiels being judged, Click Here ! |
time, love and worry – went
on to families & friends that
also enjoy these small, but
entertaining and endearing
creatures.
In the process of raising
these babies, though, many
of us have realized that some
just “look” better than others.
A taller crest, a fuller chest, a
larger body … We also notice
that some are friendlier than
their cage mates. It’s
interesting to me that after
raising these babies with
equal feeding, equal attention
and equal support – that the
individual differences in
personalities is astounding.
Whatever the differences, be
it physical or personality, it
becomes glaringly apparent
through raising these
beautiful birds – that not all
Cockatiels are created equal.
on to families & friends that
also enjoy these small, but
entertaining and endearing
creatures.
In the process of raising
these babies, though, many
of us have realized that some
just “look” better than others.
A taller crest, a fuller chest, a
larger body … We also notice
that some are friendlier than
their cage mates. It’s
interesting to me that after
raising these babies with
equal feeding, equal attention
and equal support – that the
individual differences in
personalities is astounding.
Whatever the differences, be
it physical or personality, it
becomes glaringly apparent
through raising these
beautiful birds – that not all
Cockatiels are created equal.
I joined the NCS, The National Cockatiel Society, three years ago and began to study these beautiful
birds through the articles on their website (www.cockatiels.org). This organization recognizes these
differences in much the same way as AKC, The American Kennel Club, recognizes differences in
dogs. The NCS is made up of hundreds of members throughout our country (and Puerto Rico) that
continually strive for perfection in their breedings. The website features a drawing of their ideal bird
and members attempt, through every pairing and every breeding season, to replicate as closely as
possible – the features described and illustrated on the website.
There are shows all over the country at varying times of the year that are attended by many members
and which feature sometimes hundreds of birds. Judges quietly approach each showbox containing
specifically banded birds by each attending breeder while an audience watches in anticipation of the
results. Champions and Grand Champions are made during these shows and Best-In-Show
ribbons are attached to the winning bird’s show box. The differences between these banded birds
and one that you may find in an area pet shop is easily recognizable. These Cockatiels are much
larger with broader heads, bigger eyes and more stately crests. Their demeanor is also different. As
they wait for their turn to be judged, most stand proudly in the showbox; head back… chest out… tail
straight… eyes focused. Exhibitors swear by “show box training” and many attest that there are birds
that actually “want” this recognition. Far be it from me to dispel the bird’s intentions – but there are
actually individual birds that change demeanor when a judge approaches their box. These birds
seem to understand that “it’s now or never” and they instantly stand taller and turn to feature their best
side like a model on a runway.
These fortunate few in the Cockatiel world typically live as members of a larger flock, when not
enduring life on the road. If they have been awarded Champion or Grand Champion stardom, then
their time away from shows usually involve breeding and raising families. These birds are coveted
like gold and well taken care of. Hens are allowed to raise no more than two clutches of chicks per
year, while cocks are sometimes offered multiple partners throughout the breeding season. The
breeders themselves each have their own “special formulas” when it comes to feeding these birds,
too. Custom blended seed mixes, specifically formulated pellets and closely held beliefs in what
puts weight on before a show season are applied lovingly to each show string.
birds through the articles on their website (www.cockatiels.org). This organization recognizes these
differences in much the same way as AKC, The American Kennel Club, recognizes differences in
dogs. The NCS is made up of hundreds of members throughout our country (and Puerto Rico) that
continually strive for perfection in their breedings. The website features a drawing of their ideal bird
and members attempt, through every pairing and every breeding season, to replicate as closely as
possible – the features described and illustrated on the website.
There are shows all over the country at varying times of the year that are attended by many members
and which feature sometimes hundreds of birds. Judges quietly approach each showbox containing
specifically banded birds by each attending breeder while an audience watches in anticipation of the
results. Champions and Grand Champions are made during these shows and Best-In-Show
ribbons are attached to the winning bird’s show box. The differences between these banded birds
and one that you may find in an area pet shop is easily recognizable. These Cockatiels are much
larger with broader heads, bigger eyes and more stately crests. Their demeanor is also different. As
they wait for their turn to be judged, most stand proudly in the showbox; head back… chest out… tail
straight… eyes focused. Exhibitors swear by “show box training” and many attest that there are birds
that actually “want” this recognition. Far be it from me to dispel the bird’s intentions – but there are
actually individual birds that change demeanor when a judge approaches their box. These birds
seem to understand that “it’s now or never” and they instantly stand taller and turn to feature their best
side like a model on a runway.
These fortunate few in the Cockatiel world typically live as members of a larger flock, when not
enduring life on the road. If they have been awarded Champion or Grand Champion stardom, then
their time away from shows usually involve breeding and raising families. These birds are coveted
like gold and well taken care of. Hens are allowed to raise no more than two clutches of chicks per
year, while cocks are sometimes offered multiple partners throughout the breeding season. The
breeders themselves each have their own “special formulas” when it comes to feeding these birds,
too. Custom blended seed mixes, specifically formulated pellets and closely held beliefs in what
puts weight on before a show season are applied lovingly to each show string.
| DON'T FORGET ! |
Every well-known breeder is
known for raising a certain “type”
of bird, which is referred to as “a
line”. The names of these lines
flow like wine at any exhibition
show and on the chat groups
that hold as members the fellow
breeders of these birds.
Greesons, Tory ½ &½s, Ferets,
Allens, Maples, Sunburst lines
… all represent different
attributes that these birds have
been bred for. For example,
Greeson birds are usually bred
into flocks where size has been
an issue in the past. These
birds have a genetic pre-
disposition that passes onto
their offspring and thereby
makes them larger.
Tory birds impart larger heads
known for raising a certain “type”
of bird, which is referred to as “a
line”. The names of these lines
flow like wine at any exhibition
show and on the chat groups
that hold as members the fellow
breeders of these birds.
Greesons, Tory ½ &½s, Ferets,
Allens, Maples, Sunburst lines
… all represent different
attributes that these birds have
been bred for. For example,
Greeson birds are usually bred
into flocks where size has been
an issue in the past. These
birds have a genetic pre-
disposition that passes onto
their offspring and thereby
makes them larger.
Tory birds impart larger heads
and hawk-like brows onto their offspring, while Allen and Maple birds raise the crests and the
“attitude” onto each of their lucky progeny. Buyers work themselves into frenzy at the mere mention of
a sale being planned at a well-known aviary and these birds can sell for up to $1,000 each
depending on their lineage. Many great birds have been acquired for far lesser amounts (typically
between $200 and $500) and breeders of these sought after feathered kings and queens ship their
royalty all over the world to awaiting collectors.
It is impossible to colony breed these birds as the pedigree, which can sometimes trace ancestry
back ten generations, MUST be true and breeders are held to this lineage by their word for years to
come. A higher than average knowledge of genetics is often learned as a by-product of breeding
these birds. Knowing what traits and mutations have been collected into these individual birds and
what attributes will be passed on to succeeding generations makes breeding these lines much more
successful. Many of these breeders have no concern with what mutations will result in any particular
pairing. These folks breed toward the visual standard of any bird, so whether they’re a Lutino, Pearl
or Pied is of no consequence to them. A beautiful bird should be painted black in the minds eye of
these breeders and the shape and style of this bird is what is to be admired. Still other breeders
hold the individual mutations in high regard and are known throughout the community as the best
breeders of a certain mutation. Josh Maple for Lutinos, Wendy LaBanca for Sex-Linked Yellowcheeks
and Phillip Feret for Whitefaces and Pieds are just a few examples of breeders that have specialized
in one or more mutations and have chosen to work with them above some of the other choices.
In my own aviary, I recently had a “3/4 Greeson Pastel” born. To most folks who haven’t had the
pleasure of breeding exhibition style Cockatiels, this would mean very little. But, in the circle of
breeders that collect such rare and specialized genetics – this is a large and triumphant step toward
breeding another mutation toward standards befitting a showbench. Many breeders, who have been
responsible in the past for developing new mutations, have inbred these designer birds for so many
generations that their size and other conformations have taken a backseat to their coloring or
patterns. These mutations, Pastels included, are now available to breeders but at a size that is
generally much smaller than their nominate cousins. Only through multiple generations of
outcrossing to larger lines, can these new mutations actually regain their ancestor’s grandeur.
Unfortunately, what I consider “color breeders” (meaning breeders that pair birds for color or mutation
only) continue this darkened path and the end results are weakened lines of birds that are much less
vigorous than a well bred example of the same genus.
In upcoming articles, I will discuss the careful selection in the pairing process as well as using
“splits” to breed a more vigorous bird – but, until then, welcome to the exciting world of Exhibition
Cockatiels !
“attitude” onto each of their lucky progeny. Buyers work themselves into frenzy at the mere mention of
a sale being planned at a well-known aviary and these birds can sell for up to $1,000 each
depending on their lineage. Many great birds have been acquired for far lesser amounts (typically
between $200 and $500) and breeders of these sought after feathered kings and queens ship their
royalty all over the world to awaiting collectors.
It is impossible to colony breed these birds as the pedigree, which can sometimes trace ancestry
back ten generations, MUST be true and breeders are held to this lineage by their word for years to
come. A higher than average knowledge of genetics is often learned as a by-product of breeding
these birds. Knowing what traits and mutations have been collected into these individual birds and
what attributes will be passed on to succeeding generations makes breeding these lines much more
successful. Many of these breeders have no concern with what mutations will result in any particular
pairing. These folks breed toward the visual standard of any bird, so whether they’re a Lutino, Pearl
or Pied is of no consequence to them. A beautiful bird should be painted black in the minds eye of
these breeders and the shape and style of this bird is what is to be admired. Still other breeders
hold the individual mutations in high regard and are known throughout the community as the best
breeders of a certain mutation. Josh Maple for Lutinos, Wendy LaBanca for Sex-Linked Yellowcheeks
and Phillip Feret for Whitefaces and Pieds are just a few examples of breeders that have specialized
in one or more mutations and have chosen to work with them above some of the other choices.
In my own aviary, I recently had a “3/4 Greeson Pastel” born. To most folks who haven’t had the
pleasure of breeding exhibition style Cockatiels, this would mean very little. But, in the circle of
breeders that collect such rare and specialized genetics – this is a large and triumphant step toward
breeding another mutation toward standards befitting a showbench. Many breeders, who have been
responsible in the past for developing new mutations, have inbred these designer birds for so many
generations that their size and other conformations have taken a backseat to their coloring or
patterns. These mutations, Pastels included, are now available to breeders but at a size that is
generally much smaller than their nominate cousins. Only through multiple generations of
outcrossing to larger lines, can these new mutations actually regain their ancestor’s grandeur.
Unfortunately, what I consider “color breeders” (meaning breeders that pair birds for color or mutation
only) continue this darkened path and the end results are weakened lines of birds that are much less
vigorous than a well bred example of the same genus.
In upcoming articles, I will discuss the careful selection in the pairing process as well as using
“splits” to breed a more vigorous bird – but, until then, welcome to the exciting world of Exhibition
Cockatiels !
| A flock of young birds are left to develop into beautiful adults before being judged here at our aviary for possible inclusion into our future show team |
