pigeons Several Flight Patterns Of The Oriental Roller
By Ulrich Reber,
Aug 1973
Over 20 years ago, around 1949, the Geflugel-Borse contained an article by a master breeder in the Roller pigeon sport, Peter Freisberg, in which he delved into the flight patterns of the Oriental Roller.
Peter Freisberg was such an outstanding expert in this sphere that it would be well worthwhile for all interested fanciers to scrupulously study these old writings. Even today they are of full value. Also the flight style of the Oriental has not varied from that time until the present. But there is such a variety of flight patterns with these Rollers that it is no wonder we call them the "King of the Rollers" with admiration and a: times to hold one's breath at their antics. And in fact, even today we fanciers in Germany have these fliers with such ability.
Freisberg wrote, "The true and highest value of these pigeons is the unique flight manner through which it stands unmatched as the flight virtuoso of the entire world of flying pigeons. The various achievements such as rolling, tumbling, spinning. circling, etc., are carried out with an incredible virtuosity. It is especially charming when the kit stands in mid- air and the individual colors are played upon and heightened by the sun."
Today the Oriental Rollers are often kept and bred for exhibition purposes. These birds are naturally generally inferior in flying ability. Whoever wishes to enjoy the real flying accomplishments of this breed must search for genuine flying birds of pedigree line- age.
T As a supplement I have attempted to sketch a few of the flight patterns which the Oriental Roller displays in the air. In order to explain them properly I Will copy from Freisberg's drawings in the previously mentioned contribution because I believe that one cannot present it any clearer.
Frequently the novice has a false impression of Roller flight. Namely, he believes that these pigeons when released display these flight patterns for hours on end. That is the case only with exceptionally highly bred birds. In fact even the unusual performers can fly at great heights and perform their acrobatics for two to three hours at most. In general the duration of flight is substantially shorter. Instead, the rolling performance should be more intensive. I've seen outstanding kits which exhibited their flight acrobatics at great heights for an extended duration and simultaneously all these birds executed the flight patterns illustrated here, plus a few more!
However the novice should not suppose that it goes so easily if only he has the right birds They need to be trained and rehearsed in order to develop their particular flying skills. Additionally, they require special feeding and proper loft requirements.
The Oriental Roller is a high flying pigeon. Only by flying from great altitudes does the bird have the possibility for displaying its flying skill. Good kits often fly out of sight as it is familiar also with finely bred Viennas. So this roller offers many pleasures for the eye, high flying as well as acrobatics.
Furthermore, the body type and the color offer something to delight anyone who observes them in the loft. A good flying bird must absolutely have good coloring. Of course most flying pigeon fanciers do not bother them- selves with this point -but still, many do!
The Oriental Rollers also display a perfect range of standard colors. Also a pure bred flying pigeon will exhibit a good carriage typical of the breed. As for the Oriental Roller, it shows the outline and stance of the blackbird. Perhaps the Roller fever will infect you sometime?
