A former World's Strongest Man bred budgerigars as his hobby / myLot

Rockingham, Australia

October 23, 2024 7:06pm CST

I was reading through the news items on my computer and found that Geoff Capes had died. He was an English shot-put record holder and twice designated as the World’s Strongest Man in 1983 and 1985. His shot putt record has stood for 44 years. He was part of popular British culture during the 1980s, using his massive strength to tear phone books in half, overturn cars and tow trucks. What I found interesting was that he was also a renowned breeder of budgerigars and often featured in specialist publications. In the wild in northern Australia, budgies form green clouds as they come in to drink at waterholes.

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14 responses

Fiacre Banks

@xFiacre (13014)

• Ireland

24 Oct

@judyev Hard to imagine such a macho hero breeding budgies. Of course there is the temptation now to pass comment on the budgie smugglers he sometimes wore when performing feats of strength.

5 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Oct

I saw a huge biker once absolutely besotted with his little chihuahua. They were an 'odd couple' too.

3 people like this

rebelann1949

@rebelann (112877)

• El Paso, Texas

24 Oct

Interesting how a man whose interest is breeding budgerigars is also an athlete, just goes to show how diverse a person can be.

4 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Oct

That's so true. We think because they do a certain sport then there would be some hobbies they wouldn't be into.

3 people like this

Amber

@AmbiePam (92711)

• United States

24 Oct

Some intriguing characters have the most unusual hobbies.

3 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Oct

We seem to have these preconceived notions about people, don't we?

3 people like this

rakski

@rakski (122926)

• Philippines

24 Oct

It seems a delicate job for such a strong man

3 people like this

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rakski

@rakski (122926)

• Philippines

24 Oct

@JudyEv true. It just doesn't fit his image maybe

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Oct

It does, doesn't it? But there is really no reason why he shouldn't enjoy such a hobby.

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Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61099)

• Centralia, Washington

24 Oct

My Mom had several budgies. I'd love to witness their green beauty in the sky.

3 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Oct

They adapt really well to captivity but having seen them flying free, I wouldn't ever cage one now.

1 person likes this

M Cheung

@Beestring (14554)

• Hong Kong

24 Oct

That's an unusual hobby for such a strong man.

3 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Oct

It does seem unusual, doesn't it?

3 people like this

M Cheung

@Beestring (14554)

• Hong Kong

24 Oct

@JudyEv Yeah.

3 people like this

snowy

@snowy22315 (180694)

• United States

24 Oct

I guess he was in touch with his feminine side.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Oct

I guess it shouldn't be considered strange but to me it seemed a bit unusual.

2 people like this

Always smiling

@allknowing (136401)

• India

25 Oct

Hidden behind those muscles there sure was a kind heart.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Oct

There are a lot of 'gentle giants' in the world.

2 people like this

OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (89882)

• Arvada, Colorado

26 Oct

Oh I so love these birds..I've had a few myself when my son was a boy. Years ago now. I wouldn't dream of having a bird in these shitti apartments however..they would not be able to breath like us. Oh good the big strong guy loved the littles.

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OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (89882)

• Arvada, Colorado

27 Oct

@JudyEv They are lovely pets

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

27 Oct

My Mum used to breed various colours of budgies. They're dear little birds.

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Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (106241)

• Marion, Ohio

24 Oct

You never know what people are interested in

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Oct

That's for sure.

1 person likes this

Fleur

@Fleura (30392)

• United Kingdom

4 Nov

I guess people tend to assume that a muscle-bound person must have a tiny brain and be no use at anything else - completely unjustified of course. One of my diving friends was rather a 'macho man' and looked like a bouncer; we used to laugh at his hobby of collecting thimbles

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Nov

I'm laughing at that too. It's funny how we think some hobbies don't really go with some people/professions.

1 person likes this

LindaOH

@LindaOHio (178568)

• United States

24 Oct

Very interesting. We only see parakeets in pet shops. I can't imagine seeing clouds of them!!! Very cool. I guess you never know about a person. Have a good day.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (339930)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 Oct

All our finches are in the wild too but most only see them as cage birds.

1 person likes this