Dutch and Belgian Parrot Shows

A report by Sue Embury

Dutch and Belgian bird keepers have gained a reputation for considerable breeding success in all fields of aviculture, so the annual shows of the Dutch and Belgian Parrot Societies are of special interest to parrot enthusiasts and bird keepers in general. Our visit to these events (which were both held on the weekend of 14th and 15th November in 1998) proved to be a very pleasant weekend break with a bird oriented theme, and gave me some insight into aviculture on the continent. A large part of the interest of travelling abroad is in seeing how other p eople do things, and perhaps getting some ideas to make improvements at home.

We visited the Dutch show on the Saturday. The event is primarily a show and is therefore not really comparable to the Parrot Society sale at Stafford. It is no where near as big, and though some of the birds were for sale, the emphasis is very much on exhibiting.
The show was held in multiple halls (barns) behind "The Anchor Café", Weerselo (near Hengelo about 60 miles east of Amsterdam), which is actually more like a country pub with buildings for hire at the rear. The first hall was heated and contained the smaller and less hardy birds, while larger parrots were in an unheated section through a plastic strip curtain. The birds were housed in standard cages provided by the Dutch Parrot Society and not by the exhibitors themselves. Smaller species were in large box cages (approx 1m x 1/2m x 1/2m), complete with electric lighting above the perches, which showed the occupants to best advantage. Good li ghting makes a tremendous difference in bringing out the colours of the birds. This was aptly demonstrated by one cage in which the light bulb had failed, leaving the occupant appearing dull in comparison to its well-lit neighbours. The box cages were staged two high at roughly eye level, making perfect viewing. The uniformity of the set up also made for a "level playing field" for the exhibits. Larger species were in wire flights 2m x 2m x1m, again with strip light above. Food and water were on a shelf at the front of the cage, encouraging the occupants to come forward in full view. Most of the birds seemed to be tame enough to feed and perch happily with visitors close by.

I have never competed in any bird show, but speaking as an impartial observer this system seemed to me far better than the British one where each exhibitor is obliged to supply their own cages. I am not sure whether the cages were owned by the Dutch Parrot Society or hired from the cage manufacturer (whose name was prominently disp layed), but either way, this must surely be more economical and convenient to all parties. There were a few rosettes in evidence for the best in each group, but I had the impression that simply exhibiting birds was as important as taking awards.

A glossy catalogue and a voucher for a cup coffee were included in the price of admission (a modest £3.20 - definitely value for money). The catalogue listed all the exhibitors plus details of each exhibit. Having this information at no extra cost makes a real difference to the enjoyment of the show. The uninitiated visitor, who perhaps brings the children to view the pretty birds and who would not otherwise bother to buy a catalogue, can now look up the names of those birds which take their eye, and may be drawn into a deeper interest through being better informed. Those who already have a good knowledge st ill benefit from having details set out enabling them to make comparisons between similar species, or recognize ones which are new to them, or look up and contact breeders with a view to purchase birds. Species names were in Dutch, Latin, and German. Colour mutations were named in Dutch, but since most of these were the same or very similar to English, there was no difficulty interpreting these.

The range of colour mutations on show was truly impressive. Six species of lovebird were represented with a positive rainbow display of mutations in Peach-faced, Fischer's, Black-masked and Black-Cheeked.
Six species of Forpus parrotlets were on display with a considerable range of mutation colours in the Celestial.
A similar extensive range of Brotogeris and Bolborhynchus species were exhibited, though mutation colours in these have seemingly not become established yet, with the exception of Lineolated Parakeets.
There was a representative selection of grass parakeet mutations. Budgerigars and Cockatiels were present, though in modest numbers. As a Kakariki enthusiast I was a little disappointed to find them rather poorly represented, considering the many new mutations which are rapidly becoming established, at least in the UK.
All species of Rosellas were popular and some of the mutations (especially red cinnamon) were truly striking, as was a selection of mutation Redrumps including a stunning red opaline.

This year, new fallow mutations in several Pyrrhura Conures were exhibited.
A good number of Ring-necks and other Psittacula species were also on display, including many of the rarer mutations such as pastel blue.
One species completely new to me was an attractive pair of Malabar Parakeets, Psittacula columboides, similar in appearance to the Emerald Collared, Psittacula calthorpae.

Other rarities included a single White-bellied Caique, a Great-billed parrot and a strikingly colourful pair of Crimson-bellied Co nures.
Quite a range of parrots were on view suggesting that a special effort was made to ensure that all the major groups in aviculture were represented, though naturally the most popular and most domesticated species predominated.
Among the larger parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, and Amazons were the most numerous, but most of the African species were also represented, as were the Pionus, Eclectus and a selection of Conures and many beautiful and playful Lories.
Many of the larger parrots were tame, and some were talking. I befriended a lovely young pair of Cuban Amazons.

A new innovation this year was a third hall containing a huge walk-in aviary populated (courtesy of a Dutch bird dealer) with species ranging from Kakarikis to macaws. The birds seemed to be at ease in each other's company, and with the visitors strolling through. They made a wonderful display, flying and clambering on the branches and potted plants, being tame enough to settle within a few feet of the visitors, often perching at eye level. Around the perimeter of this showpiece were trade stands and birds offered for sale by parrot society members, again housed in standard cages provided by the Parrot show. Prices were comparable with those in the UK, possibly slightly cheaper, which may reflect the strong pound at the time of our visit.

The trade stands included many Dutch company names familiar to us in Britain, and well regarded for their quality products. This overall impression of high standard of goods and workmanship was also evident in the aviaries and cages offered for sale, at prices commensurate with the quality. Apart from these "top of the range" items, costs seemed similar to those in Britain, and I did manage to come away laden with carrier bags full of bargains.

On Sunday we visited the Belgian Parrot Society show at Winksele-Delle (between Brussels and Leuven). This was considerably smaller than the Dutch one, yet still with a comprehensive range of species exhibited. Again the birds were staged in standard cages evidently provided by the Parrot Society. These were approx 1 meter cubed for smaller species and 1m x 2m x 2m flights for large parrots. Though not quite so sophisticated as the Dutch set up, the birds were in a light and airy church hall and showed to good advantage.
Admission was free or by optional donation, and a catalogue was given to each visitor. I was impressed to see that much of the catalogue was devoted to an introduction to parrot keeping, directed at visitors who might be considering the purchase of a pet bird. Some exhibits were offered for sale at prices similar to, or somewhat cheaper than in the UK. All the birds seemed very steady and some were positively tame.

Several White-bellied Caiques (and Black-headed) were on show and two pairs of beautiful Pyrrhura cruentata conures caught my eye, as did a Major Mitchell's cockatoo and a blue mutatio n Twenty-eight parakeet. It was particularly pleasing to see several "family groups" exhibited, unequivocally demonstrating breeding success.
Though quite a small event, the Belgian Parrot Show was very well presented, and certainly well worth a visit in conjunction with the Dutch show, conveniently staged on the same weekend.
I would recommend anyone looking for a Continental weekend break with a bird theme to give it a try.

By Sue Embury