Seven senior members of the Red Revellers club showed up for the annual event, which has been running for 128 years, and - with the permission of organisers - made themselves a special section in the show at Forbury Park on Saturday.
The Dunedin group, a social club for mainly older women, has been running for four years and boasted about 35 members, club "Queen" Sue Nunn, of Dunedin, said.
Their group was part of a worldwide red hat society started in the United States by Sue Ellen Cooper, who wanted to "greet middle age with verve, humour and elan", Mrs Nunn said.
Saturday's Dunedin gathering was a chance for the women to get out and have fun.
Those aged over 50 were entitled to wear red hats and purple clothing for the occasion.
Those yet to make the age could wear pink hats and lavender clothing.
Prizes on offer included small gift-wrapped parcels for the fluffiest feathers and best plumage, and, of course, youngest chick.
The prize for best singing was awarded, despite some of the show's real birds hopping up and down, attempting to squawk their own responses.
However, the judge - a younger man - managed to side-step a potential hazard when asked to award the prize for "best looking" bird among the Red Revellers.
Diplomatically, he simply asked "Now who can see me?" before thrusting the prize at the first woman to raise her hand.
Saturday's outing was one of the less strenuous for the group, which has previously decided to tackle kart racing and the Relay for Life.
Dunedin Bird Club life member and judge Colleen Wright believed the Red Revellers made a colourful addition to the more than 600 birds - including budgies, canaries, finches and others - at Saturday's show.
"I think they are good. If I had more time I would probably join them," she said.
