Maltese bird breeders won top prizes at the coveted Annual World Show organised by the Confederation Ornithologique Mondiale, netting the best results since Malta started competing in 1998.

The 42 Maltese breeders clinched 25 medals: 10 gold, nine silver and six bronze, placing Malta 12th overall.The 42 Maltese breeders clinched 25 medals: 10 gold, nine silver and six bronze, placing Malta 12th overall.

The 42 Maltese breeders clinched 25 medals: 10 gold, nine silver and six bronze, placing Malta 12th overall.

This was the best ever showing at this prestigious event, Malta getting a higher ranking than other larger European countries such as England, Ireland, Denmark, Croatia and Poland.

A total of 3,307 breeders from 24 countries, exhibiting 24,861 birds, competed in different categories and classes at the world championship that was held in Zwolle, the Netherlands earlier this month.

A number of bird breeding clubs joined forces to compete in the event through the Bird Breeders Association COM Malta.

Bird breeders competing in this annual event exhibit species mainly bred in the previous year, as demanded by the rules of most categories. This demands that competitors breed top quality birds each year because a bird can only be exhibited once.

Steven Ciappara told the Times of Malta preparations for the annual event started in about February with the breeding of birds that would be exhibited the following year. He bred 150 birds last year and chose the best 12 with which to compete at an international level.

Breeders compete as Team Malta

Mr Ciappara, who manages a motor repair garage, said Maltese breeders compete abroad as Team Malta and supported each other throughout. Other international breeders competed on a personal level and some of the foreign breeders were full-timers. “I know of breeders who actually have people employed with them to help them with the process,” he said.

Mr Ciappara and another Maltese breeder, William Rutzen, won four awards each.

All birds taking part have to be close-ringed with the correct ring size according to their species. The ring carries information about the country’s federation name, affiliated club, member identification number, size, year and a consecutive number for bird identification purposes.

All species are judged on different criteria according to their standard, using a points system. Points are awarded for markings, colour, feathering, feather type, size and form, health and condition.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.