Friday, November 25, 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
THE GLOSTER CANARY by MARK WHITEAKER " Co-Founder of the IGBA-USA Club"
The Gloster Canary
by, Mark Whiteaker
Trenton, Missouri
History tells us that the Gloster Canary originated in 1925 in England, and was first shown by Mrs. Rogerson. It was the result of crossing a small crested roller with a small border. The result of this cross was subsequently shown at the 1925 Crystal Palace National Show where fanciers recognized the bird' s potential. Through the years a standard of excellence has evolved.The attractiveness of this little bird was slow to be recognized in the United States.
In 1960, Margie McGee of California imported some glosters and began to boost the popularity of the gloster with articles in the American Cage Bird Magazine. These
articles were supported with photographs by Ed Grim. Margie also exhibited the gloster canaries in many shows. Margaret Gordon of Ashville, North Carolina, another pioneer of the breed,won many awards with her birds in the1960's. Among these awards was the "best of breed" in a National Show.
In the late 1960's and the early 1970's, articles about the gloster appeared in the ACBM, further encouraging fanciers to seriously consider breeding this attractive
little bird. These articles were written by such respected people as Harold Sodaman and the late Clifford Newby.
In 1970, Gerry Wolfendale of England, overseas chairman for the International Gloster
Breeders Association, encouraged Harold and me to establish a chapter of that organization
in this country. This was done and the orgainzation was known simply as the U.S. Chapter of International Gloster Breeder's Association. This organization has maintained a membership of well over 150 members. The U.S. Chapter sponsors the gloster sections of the National Cage
Bird Show where there are generally nearly 200 entries.
The gloster is now firmly established as one of the leading exhibition canary breeds
in the world. It heads the number of entries in many local shows and has in various
years lead in the number of entries at the National Show. At the 1976 National Cage
Bird show in Elizabeth, New Jersey, a gloster for the first time was named best bird in the show, and it was also awarded the Pat Scanell Memorial Trophy in recognition of the achievement. Now that it
has finally broken the barrier, the little gloster will win many more "best in show" awards.
In the gloster canary, there really are two different type birds - almost two
different breeds of birds. One of these is the crested bird called the Gloster Corona (meaning crown), and the other is the plainhead or the Gloster Consort. In any discussion of the gloster canary, one should keep in mind the first of all the standard of excellence as recognized by the IGBA2 as well as other gloster organizations. The standard for both the consort and the corona calls for the body to be short and cobby, and with a chest nicely rounded and without prominence. It should have a short full neck and the back should be well filled, with the wings lying close to the body. The standard calls for the tail to be closely folded and well carried. It calls for
the plumage to be close and firm, giving a clear appearance of good quality and natural color. It also calls for the carriage of the bird to be alert and quick, with lively movement. It calls for the legs and the feet to be of medium length with no blemishes. The condition of the bird is to be healthy.
Perhaps the two most important characteristics of the breed are the head and the size. The standard calls for the corona (crest) to be neat, regular, unbroken, and round in shape, with a definite center. The eye is to be discernible, or in other words, the crest of the corona is not to cover or hide the eye. The gloster should have a short, petite beak. The standard calls for the head of the consort to be broad, and round, and to have a good rise over the center of the skull. It should show eyebrows or "brow," as it is commonly referred to. The standard refers to the size of the bird as tending to the diminutive. This requirement may well be one of the more controversial points of our gloster and perhaps one of its misunderstood or misinterpreted characteristics. When all of these characteristics
are found in a stud, we can say that the smaller the bird is, the better it is. For without these characteristics prescribed in the standard of excellence that set a gloster apart from other breeds, a small bird or a small crested bird is simply a pretty little canary and not a gloster. There are nice large birds with gloster characteristics. There are also small birds that do not possess the characteristics required to meet the gloster standard of excellence. Nowhere in the standard is a definite size specified. However, we hear and read that glosters should not be more than 4 1/2 or 5 inches in length. There is nothing in the standard that indicates that it is to be judged this way. The standard simply specifies "to the diminutive," which means that "all things being equal, the smaller the better.
During the slightly more than fifty years that this little canary has been in existence, it has made giant strides toward becoming one of the most desired and recognized exhibition birds. While there are problems in breeding glosters to the standard, the recognition and success of producing superior
quality birds is one of the rewards in breeding and exhibiting them.
In his article, Mark did not indicate that this Corona Gloster was bred and banded by him.
2 Standards of Excellence are available through most clubs and through membership in the International Gloster Breeders Association, Mark E. Whiteaker, 516 E. 7th Street, Trenton, MO 64683.
Editors's note: Mark Whiteaker has the coveted record of breeding the best Consort Gloster in 1970, 72, 73, 74, and 78. He was awarded the Kellogg Trophy for 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1977. With a record like this, it is easy to see why he was asked to contribute to the Canary Issue of Watchbird. It might also be of interest to note that all of the winning glosters mentioned above have been hens.
by, Mark Whiteaker
Trenton, Missouri
History tells us that the Gloster Canary originated in 1925 in England, and was first shown by Mrs. Rogerson. It was the result of crossing a small crested roller with a small border. The result of this cross was subsequently shown at the 1925 Crystal Palace National Show where fanciers recognized the bird' s potential. Through the years a standard of excellence has evolved.The attractiveness of this little bird was slow to be recognized in the United States.
In 1960, Margie McGee of California imported some glosters and began to boost the popularity of the gloster with articles in the American Cage Bird Magazine. These
articles were supported with photographs by Ed Grim. Margie also exhibited the gloster canaries in many shows. Margaret Gordon of Ashville, North Carolina, another pioneer of the breed,won many awards with her birds in the1960's. Among these awards was the "best of breed" in a National Show.
In the late 1960's and the early 1970's, articles about the gloster appeared in the ACBM, further encouraging fanciers to seriously consider breeding this attractive
little bird. These articles were written by such respected people as Harold Sodaman and the late Clifford Newby.
In 1970, Gerry Wolfendale of England, overseas chairman for the International Gloster
Breeders Association, encouraged Harold and me to establish a chapter of that organization
in this country. This was done and the orgainzation was known simply as the U.S. Chapter of International Gloster Breeder's Association. This organization has maintained a membership of well over 150 members. The U.S. Chapter sponsors the gloster sections of the National Cage
Bird Show where there are generally nearly 200 entries.
The gloster is now firmly established as one of the leading exhibition canary breeds
in the world. It heads the number of entries in many local shows and has in various
years lead in the number of entries at the National Show. At the 1976 National Cage
Bird show in Elizabeth, New Jersey, a gloster for the first time was named best bird in the show, and it was also awarded the Pat Scanell Memorial Trophy in recognition of the achievement. Now that it
has finally broken the barrier, the little gloster will win many more "best in show" awards.
In the gloster canary, there really are two different type birds - almost two
different breeds of birds. One of these is the crested bird called the Gloster Corona (meaning crown), and the other is the plainhead or the Gloster Consort. In any discussion of the gloster canary, one should keep in mind the first of all the standard of excellence as recognized by the IGBA2 as well as other gloster organizations. The standard for both the consort and the corona calls for the body to be short and cobby, and with a chest nicely rounded and without prominence. It should have a short full neck and the back should be well filled, with the wings lying close to the body. The standard calls for the tail to be closely folded and well carried. It calls for
the plumage to be close and firm, giving a clear appearance of good quality and natural color. It also calls for the carriage of the bird to be alert and quick, with lively movement. It calls for the legs and the feet to be of medium length with no blemishes. The condition of the bird is to be healthy.
Perhaps the two most important characteristics of the breed are the head and the size. The standard calls for the corona (crest) to be neat, regular, unbroken, and round in shape, with a definite center. The eye is to be discernible, or in other words, the crest of the corona is not to cover or hide the eye. The gloster should have a short, petite beak. The standard calls for the head of the consort to be broad, and round, and to have a good rise over the center of the skull. It should show eyebrows or "brow," as it is commonly referred to. The standard refers to the size of the bird as tending to the diminutive. This requirement may well be one of the more controversial points of our gloster and perhaps one of its misunderstood or misinterpreted characteristics. When all of these characteristics
are found in a stud, we can say that the smaller the bird is, the better it is. For without these characteristics prescribed in the standard of excellence that set a gloster apart from other breeds, a small bird or a small crested bird is simply a pretty little canary and not a gloster. There are nice large birds with gloster characteristics. There are also small birds that do not possess the characteristics required to meet the gloster standard of excellence. Nowhere in the standard is a definite size specified. However, we hear and read that glosters should not be more than 4 1/2 or 5 inches in length. There is nothing in the standard that indicates that it is to be judged this way. The standard simply specifies "to the diminutive," which means that "all things being equal, the smaller the better.
During the slightly more than fifty years that this little canary has been in existence, it has made giant strides toward becoming one of the most desired and recognized exhibition birds. While there are problems in breeding glosters to the standard, the recognition and success of producing superior
quality birds is one of the rewards in breeding and exhibiting them.
In his article, Mark did not indicate that this Corona Gloster was bred and banded by him.
2 Standards of Excellence are available through most clubs and through membership in the International Gloster Breeders Association, Mark E. Whiteaker, 516 E. 7th Street, Trenton, MO 64683.
Editors's note: Mark Whiteaker has the coveted record of breeding the best Consort Gloster in 1970, 72, 73, 74, and 78. He was awarded the Kellogg Trophy for 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1977. With a record like this, it is easy to see why he was asked to contribute to the Canary Issue of Watchbird. It might also be of interest to note that all of the winning glosters mentioned above have been hens.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Monday, April 4, 2016
Benefits of Sesame Seeds During Breeding Season
Sesame seeds and their benefits for the breeding season!
Sesame seeds are tiny, flat oval seeds with a nutty taste and a delicate, almost invisible crunch. They come in a host of different colors, depending upon the variety, including white, yellow, black and red.
Sesame seeds are highly valued for their high content of sesame oil, an oil that is very resistant to rancidity. Sesame seeds are the main ingredients in both tahini and the Middle Eastern sweet treat, halvah.
Not only are sesame seeds an excellent source of copper and a very good source of manganese, but they are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, molybdenum, selenium, and dietary fiber. In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: sesamin and sesamolin. Both of these substances belong to a group of special beneficial fibers called lignans, and have been shown to have a cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and to prevent high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin has also been found to protect the liver from oxidative damage.
There is a little bit of controversy about sesame seeds and calcium, because there is a substantial difference between the calcium content of hulled versus unhulled sesame seeds. When the hulls remain on the seeds, one tablespoon of sesame seeds will contains about 88 milligrams of calcium. When the hulls are removed, this same tablespoon will contain about 37 milligrams (about 60% less).
Whether purchasing sesame seeds in bulk or in a packaged container, make sure there is no evidence of moisture. Additionally, since they have a high oil content and can become rancid, smell those in bulk bins to ensure that they smell fresh.
Unhulled sesame seeds can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place. Once the seeds are hulled, they are more prone to rancidity, so they should then be stored in the refrigerator or freezer
IGBA USA Chapter Affiliation with the Gloster Fancy Canary Council UK and the World
GFCC - Gloster Fancy Canary Council UK and the World
Gloster Fanciers Unite
Nick Barrett Chairman
The objectives of the Gloster Fancy Canary Council UK, are that we bring together the specialist clubs and societies throughout the world to maintain the standard of the Gloster Fancy Canary as
de-fined as in the rules laid down by the Gloster Fancy Canary Council UK.
We are pleased to announce that IGBA-USA Chapter, is the first ca-nary club in America to affiliate with the Gloster Fancy Canary Council UK and The World. Our panel of judges and our logo has been accepted by the council and will be published shortly. We have also received our certificate of affiliation.
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