Comprehension of the Aerial Standard should shape our experience, inform our decisions and make our breeding and flying goals crystal clear. It has done so for countless fanciers for over 100 years. In the end, a new fancier will never go wrong in seeking to fill his loft with true Birmingham Rollers.

 

When a roller is performing properly, you will see the aerial standard on display. Any hitches or glitches to performance should be evident and be the cause to improve bird selection to avoid such rollers in a stock loft or kit box.

 

Lewis Wright coined the phrase that has become the commonly accepted Aerial Standard for this breed. However, it was written in an article that was prefaced with the description of mere tumbling types of specimens. He has provided a contrast between what is to be regarded as the “true” Birmingham Roller versus rollers that would be better suited to the name “tumblers” as it would be more descriptive of their actual type of performance. 

 

Here is the full quote as taken from the book by William Pensom “The Birmingham Roller”. Pensom is quoting from Wright’s book titled “The Practical Pigeon Keeper” and references the article “The Origins of Flying Tumblers and Rollers”.

 

“Of actual tumbling pigeons there are several varieties, even in performance, which are well understood and cultivated in Birmingham. It is first to be understood that the tumble is a complete backward sumersault in the air. 

 

Tipplers throw only one such at a time but repeat such detached performances during flight. Tumblers often make two, three, or more revolutions without stopping, and lastly there is the true Birmingham Roller which turns over backwards with inconceivable rapidity through a considerable distance like a spinning ball. 

 

These are termed strictly Flying Tumblers, the performance being gone through in mid-air and often at great height; but there are also what are termed house Tumblers, which spring up a few inches from the floor of the loft, turn one complete somersault and alight on their feet again. Some of these birds will also tumble many times while flying in the loft or aviary.”

 

So in this context, we are told what our rollers should be doing in the air to be considered “true” Birmingham Rollers. Simply stated, the actual description we have had passed down, is not hard to understand and actually visualize, when the full context of this quote is read and considered, the contrast in style and ability in rolling pigeons is obvious and apparent thus making it easier to identify good rollers.

 

When a roller pigeon is performing in the manner described and is contrasted against the common tumbler, the thinking man can easily grasp the importance of the description and why it has stood the test of time. For it is easily conceived in the fanciers mind what it is he should be pursuing when it comes to the breeding of true Birmingham Rollers.

 

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Lets dig into the verbiage of what we know as the aerial standard and explore the words used a little more closely.

 

“…the true Birmingham Roller…”

 

It is initially apparent that Wright in his reference to “true” is distinguishing the difference in the kind of performance described as tumbling once or twice versus the “true” Birmingham Roller; thus elevating that bird which exhibits these latter qualities he describes. In this quote, he is referencing the work and efforts of the fanciers in Birmingham, England and what they themselves considered to be the ideal performing bird that they are seeking versus the mere tumbling variety.

 

“…which turns over backwards…”

 

Wright is describing a bird that is performing in a head to toe backward motion only. Give thoughtful consideration to the workings of the wings and tail in enabling the bird to revolve in such a manner; the up and down stroke of the wings and the placement of the tail performing in unison to keep the somersault straight and uniform.

 

“…with inconceivable rapidity…”

 

Here he is describing a bird tumbling so fast or rapidly that the velocity of this performance is inconceivable in that a mere “tumbler” pigeon could do such a thing.

 

“…for a considerable distance…”

 

Wright continues to describe a bird that is performing in this manner for a depth so deep that a person witnessing this would see a significant drop in altitude. What is being spoken of here is the distance traveled from where the bird started its performance to where it ended it (Note: 20 to 30 feet is a commonly accepted level of depth).

 

“…like a spinning ball.”

 

Finally, his description dictates that we see the sum affect of this performance as though it were a spinning ball falling from the sky.

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If we are to follow in the footsteps of the originators of this breed, it is critical that we understand the difference in performances. Pigeons that are mere tumblers should be considered of lesser value and not meeting the aerial standard while pigeons that perform in the manner described by Wright are to be considered “true” Birmingham Rollers.

 

A roller fancier seeking to fly true Birmingham Rollers has the performance description to guide him. It should always point him in the right direction. Any breeding or flying practices or management techniques that are an attempt to comply with and/or enhance the standard, are worthy of the time and effort to do so. Lewis Wright’s description is the one and only accepted aerial standard. It is the only standard that is mentioned in any treatise on the performance for the Birmingham Roller. 

 

In speaking of the aerial standard, a word of warning: be careful of those who would erroneously say that competition fly rules are some kind of new breed standard for “modern times” or whatever. Competition rules can change from club to club and year to year if for no other reason than to allow more points or make giving points more difficult. These rules can be changed arbitrarily at any time based on the whims or needs of a particular club or entity. So much for standards.

 

Which part of the Lewis Wright description fails, what would you change in it to make a better or more “true” Birmingham Roller?