Some of these birds fit in the palm of your hand. Almost fluorescent yellow, lagoon blue, all passed through the eyes of the experts for this French breeding bird championship which began on Wednesday December 4. At the Agen Agora exhibition center, 590 breeders came to present their 6,400 champions. But some of these birds also have a daily job such as on the Mont-de-Marsan base where they are used to scare away other birds and small mammals which can interfere with the takeoff or landing of planes.
“It’s been more than twenty years since there was a competition like this in Agen,” explains Jean-Philippe Magri. Member of the Lot-et-Garonnaise association of friends of birds, himself a breeder and international judge on the subject. He will participate in the next world championships in Portugal where he will have to defend his title.
Jean-Philippe Magri organized this French championship, the first in the department in more than twenty years.
Loïc Déquier / SO
Hooked or straight beak, Australian zebra finch or Parisian curly, the 6,400 birds are meticulously arranged in the Villeneuve hall of the Agen exhibition center. And everyone will pass under the lamps, “white light, closest to the sun” to examine the colors, the plumage and, for certain species, the rowing. “You need at least 90 points to hope to be champion. »
-
The superb choucador and its feathers in shades of blue.Loïc Déquier / SO
-
The white-cheeked turaco is very popular with the public.Loïc Déquier / SO
-
The golden eagle, always impressive, especially compared to the smaller ones that fit in the hand.Loïc Déquier / SO
Primal well-being
If the cages of these birds seem narrow, Jean-Philippe Magri reassures, their well-being is excellent. “It’s only for competitions. At home, they are in much larger spaces,” except when competitions approach, so that the champions do not get injured in contact with their peers. The breeder confides that his people even have the radio almost constantly. “This gets them used to human voices and, in competitions, they are less destabilized. »
The department has around sixty breeders of competition birds, affiliated with the national federation.
Opening to the public of the show this Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7. Inauguration Friday at 11 a.m. Price: 5 euros.
