Whats with these giant birds .

[jusdeb]

Just back from the Dubbo Bird Show and I gotta say WHATS WITH THESE GIGANTIC BIRDS ?

Red Rumps that look like Rosellas .
Budgies that look like they been sucking steroids .
Corellas the size of Sulphurs .


I just dont get it and frankly find them very unattractive to look at .

[thehammer]

Selective breeding by pairing the biggest bird to biggest bird will achieve what you saw at the show. Overtime superior nutrition should also increase size.

In my mind it much better seeing some bigger birds (within reason) than seeing the small examples of each species due to multi generational inbreeding. In saying that when I look at some of the big zebra finches I have seen I do wonder how they fly.

With the budgies are you referring to English Budgies? I just think it is cruel what they have done. I was talking to a guy the other day and his mate has both bush budgies and English budgies. He thinks the bush budgies are too small and the English budgies are too big so is now breeding them together to get a bird in-between because in his mind that would be the best size….It is nothing new but I had to laugh.

In contrast it is amazing how many people haven’t seen what a pure Alexanderine looks like. The true Alex is a big bird not like the small ringneck/alex hybrid.

[Myzomela]

Deb were they oversized or are you used to small-sized birds?
No disrespect intended but I am amazed at how few people no the true size of birds.
Hammer's comments re Alexandrine parrots are spot on.
I also think it unlikely that anyone would bother to selectively breed corellas for size. Maybe they were long-billeds and you are used to little corellas or maybe it is just nutrition related.
Most red rumps I have seen over the last few years have definitely been undersized too.
I do agree with you re the budgies- oversized with poor fertility and longevity to boot- a magnificent example of human endeavour at its best!!! ( Ok, perhaps a little cynical and over the top!!)
At the other extreme, small (and deep red) is exactly what I'm looking for in red hooded siskins, so bigger is not necessarily better.

It just goes to show that if you are interested in a particular species you should try to see as many different birds as you can, particularly from good breeders, and also look at wild birds where possible to get a gauge. Then try to maintain a good quality stud of these birds by selecting only the best from your offspring to form future breeders. This is what used to be the norm in the past, but this art has been largely lost today unfortunately.

[jusdeb]

I think it was a bit of both . Our Corella did have a rough start and maybe undersize but on the other hand I see enough Red Rumps and Rosellas in the yard to see that the show birds are huge compared to what mother nature created .

Those poor poor budgies with the eyes concealed with feathers and grotesque large heads .

And agreed would rather see them large than inbred to the those very small and puny birds , really would just like to see them a'la'naturale as nature intended.

Maybe its just not a good day for me to be out of my cage ...seeing things in the negative .

[E Orix]

I just like the little bush Budgie, small green no big booff head.
It flies well and in general my type of bird even if it is a Parrot.

[Diane]

Budgies that look like they been sucking steroids .

Maybe its just not a good day for me to be out of my cage ...seeing things in the negative . .

You crack me up with your comments Deb
What you need is a quick lie down in a dark room, followed by a large drink, preferable alcoholic. I find after an hour or so of this treatment I dont have any worries or cares anymore....till the next morning, so go easy on the second part of the treatment.

[VR1Ton]

Probably better of with the drink BEFORE the lay down

[jusdeb]

Good advice folks.