The Challenge

“The Challenge” Breeding Championship Budgerigars, by Gerald S Binks and first published in November 1997, is the accepted finest book ever published on all aspects of the hobby. When it first appeared, 437 copies were snapped up at that year’s The Budgerigar Society World Championship Show alone. Since then some 3000 first editions have been sold. Now that first edition is out of print, second hand, signed copies in good condition, currently change hands at in excess of £240, when available.

Demand for a second edition soon built up again and Gerald responded by publishing the second edition in October 2006. This edition has been brought up to date since much has changed in feather structure and the desired show features that make up today’s top class showbird. This has been reflected in changes to the International “Ideal” Model depicted in full colour as well as over fifty new photographs to illustrate the best budgerigars in the world at the moment. Five more chapters have been added and all advertising by the best and keenest fanciers, worldwide, from whom to buy quality birds, has been completely revised. The cover of “The Challenge” has been changed to a terracotta colour to differentiate it from the first (dark green) edition. The quality and size is identical.

First edition purchasers would be advised to consider getting this second edition to bring themselves up to date.

Due to increases in printing costs and overheads, the price for this specialised second edition volume has been set at £40 (Pounds Sterling).

To date over 1500 copies of the second edition have been sold, which has established, beyond doubt, the popularity of The Challenge (which the hobby world wide now regards as “the bible” on this subject).

Reviews of The Challenge

“It will continue its reputation as the Standard Bearer for the hobby for years to come.”
Reinhard Molkentin, South Africa

“It is unlikely that you will find another publication as informative and helpful in furthering your knowledge and enjoyment of breeding and exhibiting budgerigars.”
Fred Sherman, South Africa

“It is a quality book with exceptional and in depth content.”
Nigel Tonkin, Australia

“This is without doubt the best book on budgerigars, superceding all before it. It is a must for all budgerigar fanciers to have as a comprehensive and current reference book.”
Ghalib Al-Nasser, UK

“I highly recommend that you purchase a copy of this, the most definitive work on budgerigars ever published – even those of you who already have a copy of the first edition. There is so much updated information, as well as photographs and breeder profiles to keep you busy for hours of enjoyable nonstop reading – and I know that you will not  find another budgerigar publication to rval this book.”
Warren J Wilson, Australia

“If ever a work deserved to be described as “encyclopaedic” this is it – The Challenge is totally comprehensive.”
Royston Simpson, UK

“Full of knowledge for all fanciers from beginner to champion status covering a vast variety of subjects. A must in every fancier’s library.”
Jack Hackshall, Australia

“I am unable to conceive another publication that could possibly provide better advice and guidance. The classic text for the breeder with the aim of breeding budgerigars of the highest possible quality.”
Fred Wright, UK

“The Challenge is a superb book that faniers can read time and time again and learn something new each time. This book should be made mandatory for all fanciers to read.”
Carol & Keith Gough, Australia

Purchasing The Challenge

Sales of “The Challenge” to all counties are managed directly by Gerald Binks. However, local distrubution agreements have been organised for purchasers buying from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada – buyers from these countries should use the Purchasing from Distributors section below.

Purchasing direct from Gerald Binks

Purchasing from Distributors