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Show Information
BAA (Budgerigar Association of America)
TSBS (Tri-State Budgerigar Society)


Introduction
This show is only open to the parakeet species Melopsittacus undulates. Native to Australia and bred for both pet and exhibition purposes, they are known as budgerigars, budgies, English parakeets, American parakeets, and shell parakeets, to name a few.

Each bird may be entered in only one category, division and class. Birds entered incorrectly risk being disqualified. Every attempt will be made to correct errors before the correct class is judged. Ask for assistance if unsure of how or where to enter birds. Exhibitors may not enter a division below what they are qualified for. If entering a higher division, you must remain at that level for future shows. Show committee reserves the right to check band numbers or refuse exhibits considered sick or detrimental to the show.

Categories - Two separate categories of birds will be judged:

BAA Divisions (Budgerigar Association of America) - Exhibition Type Classes
This one is for exhibition type budgerigars that have been bred by the exhibitor and banded with seamless coded bands, traceable to the breeder / exhibitor. It uses the guidelines set forth in the BAA Schedule of Classes with five division levels of classes - Rare Mutation, Junior, Novice, Intermediate, and Champion. These birds will ultimately vie for Best in Show (BIS) awards and Best of Variety Challenge Certificates (CC).

Note: Rare Mutation Division - Sections 30 - 40
This division contains varieties and colors considered rare and exhibitors may be from any of the other four divisions. Rare birds are ranked for placement without regard to exhibitor status. Winners are compared later to the best birds in the exhibitor's respective division for possible placement there and on the BIS bench.

TSBS Divisions (Tri-State Budgerigar Society) - Pet Classes

Note: There will only be a TSBS Division for Pet Classes on Saturday
This category has no requirements for birds to be banded or bred by the exhibitor. It is open to the larger exhibition type (English) budgies as well as to the smaller common pet shop birds, referred to as (American) parakeets. You may enter a bird into either pet division; depending on what type of award you are trying to win. Keep in mind, a small type pet will not fairly compete against the larger exhibition birds in A; a large exhibition type would not have an advantage in B. Birds with clipped wings or multiple throat spots may be shown but this may result in a lower ranking in A. Children entering birds in A may be disappointed if they place low or not at all.

A) Pet - Winners Judged on Show Quality
BAA judging criteria is used and the best ten birds are selected and ranked based solely on show quality appearance; not pet appeal.

B) Pet - Winners Judged on Pet Appeal
Friendlier, more-creative criteria is used to award certificates based on pet appeal; not show quality. Examples are Most Colorful, Most Acrobatic, Friendliest, Best Talker, etc.

Entry Guidelines for all Birds

Entry Period: All birds must be entered between the hours of 7:00 and 10:00 AM on Saturday and on Sunday between 7:00 and 9:00 A.M. Judging will begin soon after. Pet birds will not be accepted for the Sunday show.

Fee: Each exhibitor pays a $3 entry fee per bird; no fee beyond ten birds. Show Secretary shall then provide a Show Catalog or Schedule of Classes, Entry Form, and the appropriate numbered Show Cage Tags.

Cages: BAA Divisions - one bird per standard show cage; no marks, names, toys, seed or water cups on or in cage; seed allowed on cage bottom. Exhibitors will provide their own cages and seed for bottom. TSBS Pet Divisions - any cage (smaller preferred); no more than two birds in a cage and they must be entered in the same division; no names visible. Toys, seed or water cups are allowed. Exhibitors will provide their own cages.

Birds: Must be bred by the exhibitor, wearing closed bands traceable to that exhibitor. This does not apply to pet birds.

Classes: Birds must be entered according to the current BAA Schedule of Classes provided. Birds entered in a "young" class must wear a 2014 band. This does not apply to pet birds.

Entry Process: Two copies of the form must be completely filled out (or a two part carbon copy). Name, address, band code, division, section, class and bird's description must be given by BAA exhibitors on entry forms and show tags. TSBS Pet Division exhibitors only need to fill out their name and address and the bird's description if known, on entry forms and tags. Hang tag for correct bird on left side of horizontal cage bar. Stewards check forms, tags and birds; staple tags shut and give exhibitor their copy of entry form. The Steward then takes birds to the staging area where they are sorted into the order of how the divisions and classes will be sent to the bench for judging.

Judging: Providing there are birds entered in each division, judging will follow a certain order, unless there is a reason to deviate on the day of the show. It will start with Pet Class A and then B, Rare Mutation, Junior, Novice, Intermediate, Champion, Best in Show, and Challenge Certificate (CC) determination.

Each division has its sections judged in numerical order with the classes in each section done the same way. Class winners are grouped to determine section winners. Then section winners are worked down to a division top ten but up to thirteen birds. BAA format calls for the division winners to have a first place known as Best, Best Opposite Sex, Best Young and Best Opposite Sex Young, provided that birds to fill those positions were entered. All BAA Division winners will be compared for possible placement on the Best in Show bench, which follows the same format. TSBS - For Pet Division A, entered birds are ranked 1st up to 10th; does not apply to Pet Division B.

Variety Awards: CC winners are challenged as each division level is judged and will be determined at Best in Show selection; certain criteria must be met.

Display of Winning Birds No cages will be removed from the final benches other than for photographs at the time exhibitors are invited to do so and then the cage will be put back into its spot on the bench. All exhibitors entering this show agree to allow birds on the final winning bench for BAA Divisions, Best in Show, and Challenge Certificates to remain on display for viewing and photographs, for no less than 20 minutes. This is for the enjoyment and consideration of all those present.

Security / Checking In and Checking Out
Only the Judge or Stewards will handle the show cages once taken from you. Exhibitors and guests will not be permitted in the staging area at all and cannot go near the bench during the judging process. All birds entered, with the exception of those in the Pet Divisions, must remain in the show until the end. Pet birds may be retrieved immediately after judging if desired.

The Stewards will also be responsible for returning all birds back to you in the afternoon. The end of a show can become very chaotic and people at other shows have left without one of their birds or with the wrong bird. It became necessary to put precautions into place that will not be an inconvenience to you. It is of greater importance to us that everyone leaves our show with all of their birds and goes home with the idea that they had a good experience and will want to return. It is our wish that other clubs begin using a similar approach in the way that birds are checked out.

End of Show
Familiarize yourselves in advance with the steps on how the show will close and what security measures will take place. Your patience and cooperation are requested.

1) The judge marks tags with final choices; ribbons and awards are given out.

2) The names and final placing of winners are revealed; any announcements are made.

3) The audience members will remain seated or well away from the winning birds while only the working show personnel - including Stewards, Photographers, Prize Workers, Show Secretary, etc. - get called to the bench to view the birds or take pictures for up to 10 minutes.

4) After the show personnel have had their time to view the birds, they will return to their posts to work. At that point the remaining exhibitors and guests will be invited to the bench to view and photograph birds for 10 minutes. After the viewing period, everyone will be asked to step away from the bench and be seated or stay well away from the bench. This is necessary so the Stewards may move about freely to retrieve birds from the final bench.

5) Once the Stewards have returned to their stations after viewing the winners, exhibitors will form a line at the designated "check out" area. Each exhibitor will then hand their copy of the entry form to a Steward and then step away. Club members are asked to wait until after all other exhibitors retrieve their birds.

6) A Steward will first retrieve an exhibitor's birds which have not won awards from the rear staging area. Birds will not begin to be removed from the winning show bench until after the minimum 20 minute viewing period has passed. When your birds have been gathered, you will be called back to the "pickup" area. Identification may be asked for if you are unfamiliar to the Steward. Your entry form will be checked off as your show cages are returned to you. As soon as the exhibitor and Steward are confident that all birds have been correctly returned, the exhibitor must move them immediately from the pickup area. A Steward will gladly assist you to an area where you can cage up your birds or help you to your car.

7) Do not leave your property or birds unattended once you have them back in your possession. Have someone trusted watch them for you while you are using the restroom, selling birds, packing your vehicle, etc. or helping. Cars get very hot inside.

8) All vendors, exhibitors, and guests are asked to gather up their belongings and exit the building as soon as possible after the show is over and birds are returned, unless they are helping with the cleanup of the hall. Please do not wait until the end of the day to sell or buy birds or to chat. The sooner we can get the show hall emptied and cleaned, the sooner we can lock up the building and head over to begin the cookout afterwards, where there will be plenty of time to buy, sell, trade, and talk. On Sunday we would like to quickly break down, clean the hall, and be on our way home.

Responsibility Waiver Entry and payment constitutes acceptance of all show rules. TSBS and its members accept no liability or responsibility for loss or damage to exhibited birds, property or for injuries to any members, exhibitors, vendors or guests either at, or in route to or from, this show or any meeting or function of the club.

Awards Phase Out Offer Class and Section place awards are now colored dots for all divisions. Blue is 1st, red is 2nd, and yellow is 3rd. The club phased out the awarding of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place class ribbons and section rosettes for Junior, Novice, and Rare Divisions. They were eliminated because of the incredible additional cost to the club and because doing this adds to the length of the show. We still have some of them left that we would like to use up. If anyone winning a class or section dot from those three divisions would like to exchange the dots for a ribbon or rosette, see Marcia Halbert with your show tag at the end of the day's show. Ribbons and rosettes will be distributed until supplies run out on a first come basis.

Tribute At our 2012 show, the club gave special recognition and an award to George and Janet Applegate. Although they were both appreciative, George was especially happy to have received the award and come to the show for a short while to see everyone and of course the budgies. The Applegates were the founders of the Tri-State Budgerigar Society back in 1984. George was a champion breeder many years ago and one of the first to passionately try to breed and improve rare varieties such as greywings and fallows. The Applegates remained supportive of the club for many years after George gave up the hobby in the mid 1980's to fly racing pigeons. The Applegates owned Apples Aviary and Supply Co., Inc., in South River, NJ and then Old Bridge, NJ, until 1992. For many years they allowed our fledging club to hold our meetings in their warehouse, for only the cost of coffee. They continued to support the club with donations of seed for meetings and even a bushel of clams at the annual club picnic. After George gave up budgies and the club went elsewhere to hold meeting, the membership voted to make the Applegates honorary lifetime members in recognition for their kindness and generosity to this club. The officers and members of this club are so very glad that the Applegates were able to finally be formally recognized last year because George sadly passed away on January 18, 2013, at the age of 82, after a long illness.