On The Grandest Stage Of All
Cage & Aviary Birds|March 14, 2018

This year, a piece of exhibition history was made at the World Show in Cesena, Italy, which posted a serious claim to be the greatest bird show of all time. The experienced canary judge ERNESTO GRACIA was privileged to be part of it, and here presents the first of three articles that reflect on the Cesena show, the European exhibition fancy, and Britain’s part in it.

On The Grandest Stage Of All

CANARIES

WHEN the news broke that the total bird entry at this year’s World Show in Cesena had exceeded the 32,000 mark, expectations ran wild.

Just think of putting together staging and cages for such an inordinate number of birds. With the World Show, the preparation for each starts before the previous one has been staged. Yet this record entry of 32,062 birds caught everyone by surprise, to the point that extra judges had to be drafted in – hence my luck.

Receiving a last-minute invitation to judge – over the phone and direct from the general secretary of the OMJ Executive Committee – was unbelievable. My affirmative reply still reverberates in my mind. My good friend Ghalib Al-Nasser had likewise been invited to judge the budgerigar section. So, having informed COM-UK about my bit of luck, I arranged to travel to Cesena.

All this was totally out of the ordinary. Judges for any World Show are never contacted directly by COM/OMJ or the show organisers. Instead, COM/OMJ notifies each member country of the number of judges invited, based on the projected entry. Each country then chooses from its own OMJ judges register those who will attend. This time, circumstances were exceptional.

Picture 138 judges, after travelling from distant corners of the continent, driven in two full coaches to the Fiera di Cesena, about to enter the greatest bird show arena of all time. The apprehension was beyond description. To have lived that moment is something to treasure.

Esta historia es de la edición March 14, 2018 de Cage & Aviary Birds.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición March 14, 2018 de Cage & Aviary Birds.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE CAGE & AVIARY BIRDSVer todo
The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Cage & Aviary Birds

The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?

Intensively studied, the gem-like Anna’s hummingbird is a welcome visitor to the gardens of America’s most populous state: California. Bill Naylor investigates its life history

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 18, 2019
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Cage & Aviary Birds

The charm of the English Cinnamon

Despite its long and complicated history, the true Cinnamon canary is still with us – in the hands of a tiny group of breeders. DONALD SKINNER-REID reckons it deserves wider appreciation

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 24, 2019
Spangles: a personal overview
Cage & Aviary Birds

Spangles: a personal overview

FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 24, 2019
New converts to old breeds
Cage & Aviary Birds

New converts to old breeds

Old and rare canaries have a reputation for adding fresh interest and challenge to the hobby. PETE HOOK and NICK JOY agree, and explain the birds’ charm to Dave Brown

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 24, 2019
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
Cage & Aviary Birds

Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show

DECORATIVE AVIARY DISPLAYS from a CBS and an online bird keeping advice group were voted in the top three by visitors for the inaugural Stafford Aviary Competition.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2019
Pieds with potential
Cage & Aviary Birds

Pieds with potential

More than just a lesser variety, the dominant pied will introduce challenge and change into most studs, reckons CLIVE WAKEMAN. Here he discusses pairings to try and others to avoid

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 18, 2019
Club News
Cage & Aviary Birds

Club News

Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you Results: convention, specialist & rare and Breeder of the Year

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2019
Canaries Month by Month:
Cage & Aviary Birds

Canaries Month by Month:

With Christmas around the corner, BRIAN KEENAN is well into his winter programme, and reckons he might deserve a nice outcross

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 18, 2019
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Cage & Aviary Birds

Smart Choice, Docile Nature

Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 04, 2019
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Cage & Aviary Birds

The truth about the ‘flying toad'

Odd local names and weird superstitions can’t hide the beauty and elegance of the nightjar, a species that has made a fascinating subject in a few zoo collections, reveals BILL NAYLOR

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 04, 2019