A race that is for the birds

For the people driving along Townline Street near Creston High School, or those people coming and going from the building Oct. 22, the birds in air may not have been any different than any other day.

But it was for Carl Schuler.

Schuler and his 11 pigeons, known as a kit, were competing in a National Birmingham Roller Club event. He was hoping his kit would do just enough to score points to advance. What the birds do in the air is what it’s all about.

According to the club, “The Birmingham Roller Pigeon is a domesticated member of the bird family Columbidae. In particular, the roller distinguishes itself by its ability to ‘roll,’ or summersault backward in rapid, tight rotations. The rolling can be so fast on its axis that the pigeon resembles a ball of feathers spinning in mid-air.”

The birds’ actions are what determines the points. In a 11 bird kit, rollers are judged and scored based on individual depth and velocity, assuming the minimum quality is met according to the judge. A bird that rolls in 10 feet scores 1 point; in 20 feet scores 2 points and in 30 feet scores 3 points. The birds are timed for at least 15 minutes.

“There is no tape measure up there,” Schuler said, noting the judge’s decisions. For his bird’s performance, they could easily be seen over Creston Veterinary Clinic throughout their time. It’s possible trees and taller buildings can obstruct a judge’s view not seeing all the birds’ rolls as they fly. Schuler has scored as many as 211 points at regional event. He knows of others’ scores in the 300s.

Competitions are scheduled in advance regardless of weather. Schuler said the birds don’t perform as well in stronger winds.

In a 20 bird kit, rollers are judged and scored based on the merit of teamwork, depth and quality. To score, a minimum of five birds must break, or roll, together simultaneously for a minimum estimated depth of 10 feet. The larger the number of birds breaking, or rolling simultaneously, the larger the score.

Schuler said he has been involved in the competitions for about two years. It all started with his barn pigeons for hunting dogs until he met others from the area who had the rolling pigeons.

The club explains what is desired of competing birds to score.

“The roller should roll over backward holding its wings up to a parallel point at the top of its axis and on the wings on the downstroke should also finish when parallel. This gives the illusion, if fast enough, of a smooth spinning ball. When seen from below it may present as a spinning ‘H’ or if the wings go slightly in the parallel position it may look like an ‘A’. When the wings do not reach a full parallel point before commencing the downward stroke it may appear like an ‘X’ from below. For most novices, the most important thing to note is that when the bird is rolling and viewed from the side at a right angle, it should give the impression of either a solid ball or a ball with a hole through the middle.”

According to club information, and Schuler, the competition takes advantage of the birds’ natural instincts.

“Birmingham Rollers, like all domestic pigeons, possess a homing ability that drives them to return to where they feel safe and where they find sustenance (food). With this natural ability, enthusiasts launch groups of Rollers into the air to watch and awe at their synchronized acrobatics. During the competition, these birds are judged on a variety of factors, including the number of birds rolling simultaneously, the depth of the roll, and the quality of the roll, as well as “kitting” (grouping or flocking) ability.”

Knowing where their food is at is why the birds fly close.

Schuler said it is common for someone to have a large number of birds and match them to find the best group of 11. Birds can lose their abilities as they age but he said there are birds 9 years old that are still scoring points.

“I was the winner of our region,” Schuler said. The region includes Iowa and portions of Wisconsin and Illinois.

Schuler said the pigeons are not flown in the winter because of the increased threat by predator birds, like hawks and eagles. Schuler said a hawk could easily kill the pigeons in flight.