General News
23 May, 2025
There’s no budgie smuggling going on here
A DISPLAY of colour, feathers and a lot of flair is coming to the Brothers Leagues Club this weekend when the Australian National Budgerigar Council National Titles brings over 400 budgie specimens and the best breeders in Australia under one roof.
Cairns and District Budgerigar Club secretary and three times national champion Bruce Schuster was a big influence in holding the 49th iteration of the national titles in Cairns to showcase the quality of the breeders in the Far North.
Mr Schuster, who was champion in 2003, 2009 and 2013, believes the glory will come back to the Far North this year with a special specimen he has prepared.
The event runs on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm each day and involves the best breeders from clubs around Australia bringing their best budgies to be judged by an expert panel.
“It’s been a while since I’ve won at nationals but I have a really special one this year,” he said.
“There are 25 clubs coming from across the country and they all must pick their three or four best budgies. Victoria are usually the big winners but we’re hoping to win some classes this year. We’ll have nearly 250 people at Brothers this weekend. We have to sit for our ANBC exam, we have to supply the birds for that. They look at the confirmation of the bird, the head quality, the feathers, how they stand on the perch.
“And then on Sunday afternoon we have our auction, there’s going to be lots of beautiful budgies for sale.
“Everyone is invited to come. What makes this event special is all the colours you get to see. These aren’t your ordinary pet budgies, this is another level. There are vibrant greens, grey greens, sky blues, cobalts, very rich vivid violets and cinnamons.”
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