SHOW STANDARD.

Ellis W. Thornley.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When deciding to show a Zebra always be sure that you have the correct Zebra in the Show Cage

It’s a Zebra, but 4 legs ????

The Description of Perfection as covered by the Federation of Zebra Finch Societies, Australia, Standard:-

• TYPE
• CONDITION
• MARKINGS
• COLOUR
• SIZE

TYPE.

The bird is to be Perfectly balanced and convey the impression of being evenly proportioned. Back, from nape of neck to root of tail to be almost straight, slightly concave. Chest nicely rounded, neither heavy nor prominent; the line continuing to vent, tapering towards end of tail.

• Position - The bird is to stand clear of the perch, in a bold attitude, with the centre line of the bird at an angle of 32%.
• Head - Full and neatly rounded to nape of neck.
• Eye - Clear, round, bright and slightly forward of the centre of head.
• Beak - Clean, neat and short.
• Wings - Held firmly and close to body, just meeting at root of tail.
• Tail - Straight and tight with good width.
• Feet and Legs - Straight and strong, with claws firmly gripping the perch.

CONDITION.

The bird should give the impression of vitality and radiant good health, it should not be over-fat nor light. The bird should be clean and the feathers have good sheen. No scars, Imperfections or other sign of injury should be apparent.

MARKINGS.

To be clear and well defined. Size, shape and appearance to be as per Standard of Perfection sketch.

Cock bird markings are defined as:

"Check Lobes, side flankings, throat and chest barring".

Hen birds to have all cock markings replaced with body colour.

• Tear Drop - To be of good width, tapered downwards from bottom of eye.
• Face Area - Bottom of tear to top of eye.
• Throat and Upper Breast - Zebra striped with lines running from cheek to cheek, continuing down to breast bar.
• Breast Bar - Clean cut, approximately 6mm wide.
• Cheek Lobes - Commencing from centre rear of eye and to be circular in shape and follow the contour of the head, finishing at the bottom of the tear drop, ie a full "D" shape.
• Side Flankings - Distinct with clearly defined white spots, in 3 even lines, extending from wing butts to base of tail.
• Tail - Evenly spaced white bars on tail coverts.

COLOUR.

Pure and uniform in shade, as defined in the Colour Standard.

SIZE.

105mm from tip of beak to tip of tail.