Judging

Judging In Agapornis Agasscom Shows

“A bird shall be judged not only by its beauty but by the whole of harmony of its characteristics, color, size, condition and deportment in the show moment. A bird should be perfect but, even men can lose the grace, deportment and all qualities in a given moment.”

We have been judging Lovebirds in the last 10 years, dozens of Shows for the Brazilian Order of Judges, also for the World Order of Judges of World Ornithological Confederation –W.O.C – (C.O.M). It is a continuous learning process on these marvelous birds. We had the opportunity to judge annually about 2000 pre-selected birds and it is this experience I would like to share with other breeders and judges. This experience created an style of judging the Agasscom style.

Let us try showing you the main characteristics of each species, mutation and color combination.

We must be honest and frank to say “there are different ways and patterns for judging in each country, even in each region”. Mainly the scale of points that is the score we give for each bird. Curiously, good judges using different scales can reach the some final result! We have adopted an intermediate scale between the American and European and Brazil and South America.

We ought to keep in mind that each judge has a proper and personal stile. It must be respected!

The fairest way of judging is to attribute a score from 0 to 100, with given points for determined items.

“Birds’ Score”

To set a bird in Point’s Scale is the best and faire way to score them in a bird show. It avoids or diminishes misunderstandings and personal subjectivity. That means it breaks personal judging in a point’s scale avoiding tendencies according judge’s preference.

You can score a bird individually or in quartets.

There is a range of points to be scored for every bird’s characteristic. These ranges will vary from country to country, from association to association, but in general the final score is quite the same. We have set a Scale of Points for Agapornis in Brazil to be used in our Brazilian Federation of Ornithology (F.O.B.), let us see it:

Individual Show

Color = 50 Points

This item of judging analyses 4 main characteristics:

Mask and Head

Here we analyze the mask itself and head’s color marks, its limits, if it is complete, incomplete, well marked and defined or vanished and erased. Also we considered the existing pigments, if they are correct for the given class, if there is undesirable suffusion, etc.

Maximum score: 15 points

Chest Collar and Upper-Breast

Here we analyze the collar itself and neck’s color marks, its limits, if it is complete, incomplete, well marked and defined or vanished and erased. Also we considered the existing pigments, if they are correct for the given class, if there is undesirable suffusion, etc.

Maximum score: 15 points

Color (Body’s and Ground Color)

Here we analyze the whole coloration as the main point, if it is correctly set in the show class, if there are undesirable and wrong color suffusions, hybrid color undesirable characteristics, etc. Split birds with visual color marks shall be penalized.

Show purposes divided colors in two major ground groups:

WHITE GROUND COLORED BIRDS: those which psitacin pigments are absent partially or totally, the “blue/white” birds.

YELLOW GROUND COLORED BIRDS: those which psitacin pigments are present, the “yellow/ green” birds.

Considered the “ground colors”, we go on observing proper mutation and classes characteristics (dilution, suffusion, melanin, etc):

Maximum score: 15 points

Rump

Here we analyze the involved color factors involved, its presence or absence set the bird in correct show classes.

Maximum score: 5 points

TOTAL OF THE 4 COLOR ITEMS = 50 POINTS

To follow the general characteristics:

General Characteristics = 50 Points

This item of judging analyses 5 more main characteristics:

Plumage

Here we analyze the plumage and feather integrity, if it is neatly in line with the body. There should be no lacking feathers, no new feathers, dirty feathers, etc. Neck should be full and wide in feathers.

Maximum score: 15 points

Conformation

Here we analyze the bone structure; beak should be neat and well tucked in, head full and round, eyes centered, shoulders symmetric and must have no appearance of the neckline. Breast should be deep, broad and well rounded. Back line should not be slack or hollow.

Wing flights must not droop or cross.

Maximum score: 10 points

Condition

Here we analyze if bird is healthy, vivid appearance, elegant, straight and strong, firmly gripping the perch

Maximum score: 10 points

Size

Here we analyze if size is like the wild standards, correct to the given classes and species.

We must keep in mind that the larger is not always the better. Nigrigenis a Lilianaes are quite small when pure blooded. Also body’s part proportion must be analyzed. Lilianaes and Nigrigenis should have smaller heads, etc. A very large head in a nigrigenis is a clue for recent personatus blood and must be penalized. Today, unhappily there are tendencies to mix long-feathers in common line to “improve it”, It is a big mistake. Long-feathers are a separate mutation, it shall be judged in separated classes. It happens in Europe and USA and probably the entire world.

Maximum score: 10 points

Deportment

Here we analyze if the bird is quiet and calm, firmly gripping the perch, not upset, and the whole prior characteristics. Here is the “MOMENT” the birds come onto table’s judge. Not trained birds can come totally stressed, jumping and flying continuously and this certainly is a serious fault to be considered.

Maximum score: 5 points

TOTAL OF THE 5 GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC’S ITEMS = 50 POINTS

To make judge’s work easier we grouped all 9 items in a SCALE OF POINTS’ TABLE, where we can score, taking out points from each item according our analyses and judgment of the bird’s faults.

SCALE OF POINTS’ TABLE
				VG	B	R	F
ITEM	Máximos	Maximum	Points	Very good	Good	Regular	Poor
COLOR (50 points)	Mask and Head	15		14-13	12-11	10-9	8-7
	Chest Collar – Upper Breast	15		14-13	12-11	10-9	8-7
	Color	15		14-13	12-11	10-9	8-7
	Rump	5		4	3	2	1
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS (50 points)	Plumage	15		14-13	12	11	10
	Conformation	10		9-8	7	6	5
	Condition	10		9-8	7	6	5
	Size	10		9	8	7	6
	Deportment	5		4	3	2	1
	TOTAL	100

Let us make some exercises to score an out of standard’s bird:

Exercise 01: PASTEL GREEN FISCHERI (OUT OF STANDARD)

SCALE OF POINTS’TABLE
				VG	G	R	P
ITEM	ITEMS	Maximum	Points	Very Good	Good	Regular	Poor
COLOR (50 points)	Mask and Head	15	8	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Chest Collar-Upper Breast	15	8	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Color	15	8	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Rump	5	4	4	3	2	1
GENERAL CHARACTERISTCS (50 points)	Plumage	15	13	14-13	12	11	10
	Conformation	10	8	9	8	7	6
	Condition	10	8	9	8	7	6
	Size	10	9	9	8	7	6
	Deportment	5	3	4	3	2	1
	TOTAL	100	69

MASK AND HEAD: very poor, orange just on cheeks instead of head throat and neck. (-7)
CHEST COLLAR AND UPPER BREAST: yellow similar to personatus, totally out of Fischer’s standards.(-7)
COLOR: dilute green but more pigmented in personatus pattern (-7)
RUMP: dull violet (not visible in photo) (-1)
PLUMAGE: good but a few lacking feathers (-2)
CONFORMATION: no deformities but too narrow and weak (-2)
CONDITION: it almost lies down on perch (-2)
SIZE: regular medium size (-1)
DEPORTMENT: regular but not stands quietly on perch (-2)

TOTAL SCORE: 69 points, very poor and out of standard.

Let us make another exercised, the same color classes but now in a desirable standard:

Exercise 02: PASTEL GREEN FISCHERI

SCALE OF POINTS’TABLE
				VG	G	R	P
ITEM	ITEMS	Maximum	Points	Very Good	Good	Regular	Poor
COLOR (50 points)	Mask and Head	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Chest Collar-Upper Breast	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Color	15	15	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Rump	5	4	4	3	2	1
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS (50 points)	Plumage	15	13	14-13	12	11	10
	Conformation	10	9	9	8	7	6
	Condition	10	9	9	8	7	6
	Size	10	9	9	8	7	6
	Deportment	5	5	4	3	2	1
	TOTAL	100	92

MASK AND HEAD: very good, orange in the face spreads down to upper breast. Gray “veil” of the cape, spreading down the nape to mantle.
Chest Collar and Upper Breast: same head’s orange .It is in the species standard
COLOR: very good, dilute green with light brown shade.
RUMP: violet (not visible in the photo)
PLUMAGE: neatly in line with the body, no lacking feathers
CONFORMATION: no deformities, strong and wide.
CONDITION: elegant, healthy, firmly gripping the perch
SIZE: large
DEPORTMENT: calm and quiet

Total score: 92 points. Considered a VERY GOOD BIRD.

Exercise 3: Personatus EDGED Violet medium Blue (1 dark factor + 1 violet factor+ 1 EDGED)

SCALE OF POINTS’TABLE
				VG	G	R	P
ITEM	Items	Maximum	Points	Very Good	Good	Regular	Poor
COLOR 50 points	Mask and Head	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Chest Collar and Upper Breast	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Color	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
	Rump	5	4	4	3	2	1
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 50 points	Plumage	15	14	14-13	12	11	10
	Conformation	10	9	9	8	7	6
	Condition	10	9	9	8	7	6
	Size	10	10	9	8	7	6
	Deportment	5	4	4	3	2	1
	TOTAL	100	92

MASK AND HEAD: very good, dull black, well defined around the neck, it doesn’t spreads down to nape and mantle.
Chest Collar and Upper Breast: snow white, all around the neck. No black or gray suffusion.
COLOR: very good, bright deep violet blue with edged mantle(1F).
RUMP: dark violet, almost gray
PLUMAGE: neatly in line with the body, no lacking feathers
CONFORMATION: no deformities, strong and wide.
CONDITION: elegant, healthy, firmly gripping the perch
SIZE: large
DEPORTMENT: calm and quiet

Total score: 92 points. Considered a VERY GOOD BIRD.

Let Us do It Faster!

Start keeping in mind there is no perfect bird! so take out 10 points and start from 90 points adding or taking out points from each one of the analised itens. try to follow patterns of very good, good, regular or poor characteristics.

VERY GOOD = -1 Point
GOOD = -2 Points
REGULAR = -3 Points
POOR = -4 or more Points

STAM – Four Birds are Judged Together

TOTAL STAMM’S SCORE = SUM OF THE SCORES OF EACH BIRD + HARMONY

It is the analyses of the four birds (quartet) at the same time but scored individually. The majority of associations’ rules permit to do the inscription of a fifth bird. This fifth one it is at judge’s choice. It can substitute the “worse” of the quartet.

The sum of the each bird’s score shall be added to the points of the HARMONY, that is the score you give to the similarity scored degree. The more similar are the birds, the higher is the HARMONY SCORE at a maximum of 6 points. It is about 1,5 points per bird.

Example 4: We have 4 birds with the following scores: 89+84+90+87 = 350 points.

They are not very harmonic, not similar. So let us score just 2 points. FINAL SCORE = 350+2 = 352 points.

Let us have a better idea:

Blue Fischeri # 01

			VG	G	R	P
Maxima	Maximum	Points	Very good	Good	Regular	Poor
Mask and Head	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Chest Collar -Upper Breast	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Color	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Rump	5	4	4	3	2	1
Plumage	15	13	14-13	12	11	10
Conformation	10	9	9	8	7	6
Condition	10	9	9	8	7	6
Size	10	8	9	8	7	6
Deportment	5	5	4	3	2	1
TOTAL	100	90

N.B. – it loses points mainly in the medium size and lacking feathers

Blue Fischeri # 02

			VG	G	R	P
Maxima	Maximum	Points	Very Good	Good	Regular	Poor
Mask and Head	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Chest Collar –Upper breast	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Color	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Rump	5	4	4	3	2	1
Plumage	15	11	14-13	12	11	10
Conformation	10	9	9	8	7	6
Condition	10	9	9	8	7	6
Size	10	9	9	8	7	6
Deportment	5	5	4	3	2	1
TOTAL	100	89

n.b: similar # 1 but worst in feathers. Frilled flights.

Blue Fischeri # 03

			VG	G	R	P
Maxima	Maximum	Points	Very good	Good	Regular	Poor
Mask and Head	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Chest Collar –Upper Breast	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Color	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Rump	5	4	4	3	2	1
Plumage	15	12	14-13	12	11	10
Conformation	10	9	9	8	7	6
Condition	10	9	9	8	7	6
Size	10	9	9	8	7	6
Deportment	5	5	4	3	2	1
TOTAL	100	90

n.b: very similar #1 but gains in size

Blue Fischeri # 04

			VG	G	R	P
Maxima	Maximum	Points	Very Good	Good	Regular	Poor
Mask and Head	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Chest Collar – Upper Breast	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Color	15	14	14-13	12-11	10-9	8
Rump	5	4	4	3	2	1
Plumage	15	13	14-13	12	11	10
Conformation	10	7	9	8	7	6
Condition	10	7	9	8	7	6
Size	10	10	9	8	7	6
Deportment	5	4	4	3	2	1
TOTAL	100	87

n.b: it looses more in conformation and conditions: crossed wings and obesity.

Final Score of STAM

STAM	BIRD 1	BIRD 2	BIRD3	BIRD4	TOTAL
pontuation individual	90	89	90	87	356
HARMONY	1,00	0,75	1,00	0,25	3
FINAL SCORE					359