This interview was printed in "BUDGERIGAR
International Exhibition Budgerigar
20 -
20 Interview with Bob Wilson
By Mark Hawke
I don’t know Bob personally
but have had correspondence with him for a few years through the Internet
and of course Facebook. Bob’s always come across as a very knowledgeable and
caring person always willing to go the extra mile for beginners. He is a
credit to the hobby, not only with advice he shares but for the amount of
work he does for the hobby.
He attends the World Budgerigar Organisation (WBO) meetings and also judges.
One of his latest adventures has been in Egypt which could only be described as one of the best thing anyone could ever be lucky enough to do as I’d jump at the chance.
With Moheb Nabil at The Pyramids after judging the First National Budgerigar Championship in Cairo.
I will be in contact with Bob to thank him personally for taking the time
for this wonderful insight into one of the biggest and most respected men in
our hobby of Exhibition Budgerigars.
Congratulations on the fantastic job that you are doing and continue to do.
So let’s take a look into what makes Bob
Wilson tick.
What started
your interest in budgerigars?
The Sky Blue cock and Cinnamon Mauve hen bred some
super Cobalts that won most times I showed them. I was hooked.
Only years later did I learn that these birds had
come from the late Frank Gardiner.
How long have you been in the hobby?
On and off since 1959. I sold my birds when I went
off to University, started again... then moved to New Zealand and later to
USA. A few breaks along the way for personal and business reasons. The bug
hit me again in 2010, so I started again.
What Club & level do you show at?
I show in Champion in USA. I am Judges
Administrator for Budgerigar Association of America, a lifetime member of
America Budgerigar Society(ABS), and also joined The Budgerigar Society
(UK).
My local club is Greater Kansas City Aviculture
Society.
What varieties do you keep?
My stud is mostly normals and cinnamons with a few
spangles. I also have a few lutinos, recessive pieds and crests.
What is your best memory in the hobby?
My best memory in the hobby was placing second best
in show at the1991 All American in Indianapolis with a young Grey Green cock
against 1056 entries.
Another experience, I will never forget was judging
the first National Budgie Show in Cairo, Egypt in April 2015.
Name your three top budgerigar breeders in Australia or anywhere
else USA or world.
I only visited a few breeders when I visited
Australia for the Geelong Nationals in 2012 but I was very impressed with
what I saw at Peter Thurn’s and also Steve & Tim Grech.
Hard to limit UK/European breeders to
three...Daniel Lutolf, Maarten Heylen, Huxley & Marchant, Bowkers, Harry Hockaday
and Mike Ball must all get a mention.
Which bird room would you like to spend a day in having a one to
one budgie chat?
Visits I plan for later this year are with my buddy
Daniel Lutolf in Switzerland and also with Maarten Heylen in Belgium
Which bloodlines have influenced your stud?
When I started again in 2010, I bought a few pair
from Gary & Kathy Hicken in Utah. I did bring in a few from Andy Hind (UK)
in 2012, which had Huxley & Marchant, Jo Mannes and Daniel Lutolf in the
background.
The imports helped a little with directional
feathering, but two families from the original Hicken birds produce the best
both in numbers and quality.
What was your best ever bird and for what reason?
The Grey Green that placed second at the All
American mentioned earlier. It won six shows and was prolific in the
breeding cage.
What car or motorcycle do you drive / ride?
Nothing flash .Ford Taurus sedan.
Name the person you would most like to have dinner with?
Carlos Santana, he’s a
super musician and even better in person. I met him in a sushi bar in Los
Angeles years ago. Such a great time I plan to do it again
