In South Africa the rings are also issued on the 1st January each year as in the UK however, the difference is that they allow birds that are rung in the previous year, as well as the current year, to be shown in the Young Bird classes. This affords the Young Birds to have an equal chance against the adults for Best In Show, although Jaap does say that he has taken this award with birds that are just 5 and 6 months of age. In conclusion, this has minimised the necessity to change the ring issue date to October and there are no quarrels in South Africa on this issue. An expression that I first encountered while visiting 'Down Under' was the Tall Poppies Syndrome. This condition is one that apparently, is prevalent within the hobby of exhibition budgerigars.
Diagnosis is easy, as there are a number of tell-tail, recognisable symptoms.
Unfortunately, the malady also appears to be untreatable and although there may sometimes be extensive periods of remission, the characteristics associated with this affection usually reappear. In the UK we would associate the Tall Poppies Syndrome with the high fliers of the hobby that are either successful with their birds or more often than not are progressive in the administration side of the pastime. Very often their rise to fame is quite spectacular but seldom without hard work and dedication. These people tend to be outspoken and have ideas on how to improve the hobby and how to take it forward into the future. Personally, I've always advocated that if you put yourself in the firing line by being progressive and even controversial then you must be prepared to be knocked down because this it what appears to be human nature and the bad side of it at that.