Agapornis World

13/09/2026

How was the BVA Masters? Happy with your results? I wasn’t there, so post any photos or videos you have here please, I’d love to see!

Judging the Lovebird Society show in the UK next. Hopefully see some of you there.

06/06/2026

I've made the decision to step down as a BVA Judge. I still love the hobby, I still judge shows and still keep myself updated on all things genetics and mutations - but I won't be starting again with birds, it's simply not worth it - there's only a handful of breeders in the UK. For me, it was the community feeling that attracted me to the hobby, and sadly that started dwindling away long before I left the Netherlands. Besides that, the cost to start again with birds is not feasible, nevermind the challenge of finding the birds and equipment I would need.

Maybe one day, when I get a bigger house, I will return. But I doubt the hobby will still exist in 10 years time, especially here in the UK. Who knows?

I have visited some amazing countries over the years and I've met some incredible people through this hobby. There's too many to name, but you know who you are.

The one that deserves a mention is Dirk Van den Abeele. He's heavily responible for luring me in to this wonderful hobby.
His knowledge and commitment was admirable and somewhat contagious. My fascination with genetics and mutations stemmed directly from him, and his work. I have never read a book in my life, legit. I read all his books though. Multiple times! And I even made notes! Back in the day, I trawled through years and years of discussions on the Yahoo Chat Groups, learning from the likes of Dirk and Wessel van der Veen. Their passion to teach and spread knowledge rubbed off on me and transformed the way I absorbed and shared knowledge. These were the days when you could debate a subject and learn from it, without getting offended. A great mentor became a great friend too - I very much enjoy catching up with Dirk, over a coffee or a b**r. He's always had time for me, and I will be eternally grateful for that.

I will continue to stay up-to-date with all things in the Lovebird world. I am always here to have a good chat with anyone. Need help figuring out pairings? Need some advice? Whatever it is, just drop me a message, I still love talking birds!
I am happy to continue judging Lovebird shows too, or giving seminars/webinars... but that won't be as a BVA Judge, it will be as an independent.

I'll update this page with reports on any shows and events I visit in the future.

❤️❤️❤️
Sam

05/10/2025

Today I judged the Lovebirds at the UK National, at Stafford Showground. Luckily it’s not too far from me, so I was home well before dinner.

There were some great birds on show. The ever-popular Agapornis fischeri lead the way in terms of quality. Alan Stead won once again with his superb opaline euwing green fischeri - a faultless bird. Impeccable condition, beautiful format and sublime proportion. There as also a stunning pale fallow fischeri that won the CYOB (current year own bred). Great size and frame for a pale fallow, especially for young bird. Beautiful colouring too.

There was a nice * blue * Agapornis roseicollis too. Not a huge bird, the size and format seems a little lacking in roseicollis in the UK. It was a lovely clean bird though. Bright, vibrant white mask and a uniform blue plumage with no signs of yellow.

The Agapornis personatus on show were also very nice. Some beautiful euwing birds on show and the winning green wild type was also very nice. Not at the same level as the fischeri, but still worthy birds that the breeders should be proud of.

The Agapornis nigrigenis and lilianae struggled, not only in condition but also quality. Colours were not the best, but that could be down to condition. Markings and lines needed improving too, especially on the head and brow. The important, natural and desirable characteristics were still present though; no hybrid characteristics, good stance and posture and correct size.

There was a nice A.Taranta present which won best rare. Beautiful conditon. My only comment would be one or two feathers missing to complete the red, feathered eyering (male bird).

It’s a shame there wasn’t more birds on show. Lovebirds definitely haven’t taken off in the UK like they have in the rest of Europe. The lack of youngsters and new hobbyists is alarming, for the entire hobby not just the show breeders.

I urge breeders in Europe to cherish and nurture what you have - help youngsters, promote the hobby, volunteer yourself to help societies and clubs with events and shows. You’ve still got it really good and things could be a lot worse. Keep the hobby alive while you still can.

I’m questioning whether I should start with my own birds again. I miss it, an awful lot, but the hobby has become so small here I have to think carefully before investing in a fresh start.

15/09/2025

Another superb edition of the BVA Masters. The quality was definitely up compared to my last visit 2 years ago. The Best in Show roseicollis was a stand-out bird for me, beautiful! As for the violet opaline fischeri that won best in show 😮🥰❤️Just wow! Great to catch up with old friends, thank you everyone who volunteers to make this show possible.

28/01/2025

John Agapornis does NOT work for Agapornis World. Nobody does.

This is my (Sam Gibbs) personal page. It is a blog about my hobby as an Agapornis breeder and BVA judge.

No idea who this John Agapornis is.
Apparently he is a fraudulent scammer because the people he’s ripping off are messaging me thinking I’m a business and he works for me.

Please share, and report his profile. Cheers 🍻

23/11/2024

On-route home from Tennessee 🇺🇸 after judging the rate and eyering division at the National Bird Show. It’s was a real pleasure to be asked to judge at this show and I enjoyed the entire experience! The overall quality of the birds was impressive. Good size and format and the most common fault, as with all shows, was condition. Anybody who shows knows how difficult it can be to maintain that perfect condition for a show weekend. The winner was a spectacular A.nigrigenis. It’s the first time I’ve given the top spot to a nigrigenis, but the bird was genuinely faultless. It ticked every required box and had that perfect, proud posture with the exact required amount of head-tilt that made it stand out and perform flawlessly as a show bird. I thought about it for a long time but I genuinely couldn’t find a fault, which is very rare indeed.

Once I selected a winner, I then had to present to each of the judges why I think the bird I judged deserves to be awarded one of the best in show awards. This was my first time doing this and it went well. The stunning nigrigenis also won the Charlie Anchor Award for Best Foreign Bird.
Worthy winner 👏

The trip was fantastic! The people were amazing, we were well looked after. The entire event was very well organised and professional. It was our first trip to the USA, but definitely will not be our last. Everything was big! The bourbon 🥃 was incredible and the steaks were delicious. Hired a massive pick up truck and caught my first ever large mouth bass. All in all, excellent trip! Massive thanks to everyone from ALBS and NBS for the invite and hospitality ❤️

11/09/2024

Good luck to everyone participating in the BVA Masters this weekend. Safe travels there and back and I hope you all win the prizes you’re chasing!

Unfortunately I can’t make it this year. New house, money is tight. 😣 I’ll definitely be there next year though 💪🤩

Be sure to share lots of photos/videos ❤️

29/08/2024

I’ll be judging Lovebird 1990 Society show next month, September 22nd. 🇬🇧 It will be nice to get back into some bird stuff and catch up with old friends and new.

The hobby is on its knee’s right now, with more and more people quitting and fewer of the younger generations starting up - support your local clubs, come and meet up with your fellow bird nerds and let’s do what we can to promote bird keeping!

Sadly I’ll be missing the BVA Masters this year. After buying a new house I just can’t afford to travel to Belgium. 🇧🇪 Next year for sure!

November it’s off to the USA to judge at their National show. Can’t wait for that! 🇺🇸

14/08/2024

National Bird Show 2024 - Knoxville, TN, USA.
It's an absolute honour to be invited to judge the Rare and Eyerings division at this years show. I've never visited the USA before, so I'm very much looking forward to it! It will be awesome seeing some old faces and meeting many new! So, if anyone is thinking about attending, please do, I'd love to meet you all!

Information about the 2024 NBS Show.