It depends on the class as far as the Serama council of North America sees it.
The Japanese bantam is part of the list of breeds used to create the Serama breed. This is why sometimes poor Serama/ pet quality look like Japanese bantams. Those birds are best as pets and out of the show circles.
With tabletop showing through the SCNA (the original breed club, We show:
Traditional (the American type with the APA- only in any of the 2500 documented colors- so any color- but that applies to any SCNA show in any class)
Silkied Serama
Frizzle
Ayam or extreme (the Malaysian type where the poses birds head is typically below his chest.)
For each class SOP varies a bit with the SCNA. Also, they are allowed enamel white ears where APA shows DQ them for that. There is much more to this than my simplified version. However, this is it in a nut shell according to the breed club standards.
Also, for in cage, you can show any variety of Serama that doesn’t have enamel white ears or disqualifying flaws but the furthest you can go is best of breed. I’m other words you can’t go to champion row unless the bird is ..
White (for the
APA)
Black, white or exchequer (for the
ABA)
There are colors up for consideration to be added to accepted birds in these organization as of the spring of 2022. I believe next up is blue
SO, THEORETICALLY,YOU CAN GO TO A SHOW AND WIN BEST SCCL WITH YOUR WHITE SERAMA AND WIN RESERVE WITH THE SAME BIRD! (
Or any combination of) How confusing, right!? But it happened when I clerked for an apa judge in fall of 2021. It wasn’t a Serama but the same bird was honored with two tiles because it was a double show with the APA/ ABA! It confused us all but diligent judges clarified for us quickly! But that’s not what you asked about but it relates… sort of.
I’ve also heard some chatter about splash, ginger red, Wheaton and s black tailed buff. But I haven’t seen concrete evidence as of yet. But I haven’t don’t any real research either. This is just what I see on the chat threads with other breed enthusiasts.
In closure, here are a few of my show quality birds (traditional) and a few where the Japanese bantams of their distant linage are showing through…
Juniors comb (above) is to big. This comes from the Japanese’s bantam that is in the list of breeds that created the Serama.
KC here is silkied Serama he’s very young here but a great cockerel example
Again, a young bird. So his chest isn’t developed yet. He grew into a remarkable cock bird. This is rip. He is a show champion. Recently, he went to a loving new home where he’s spoiled rotten
Frizzled cockerel. While his comb has a slight tilt and his Wattles are on the large side- his collar is fantastic especially for a 5 or 6 month old bird. As is his character (a big component of tabletop judging) so I would give him a shot at tabletop. He was also recently placed in an adoring new home.
Below is some of my Favorite champion residents here at Native Colors Exotics. They are good examples of show
quality.