"one tail feather" and other question

[Lovebirds]

What is the significance of a "one tail feather" bird? I see this in auctions when advertising. I know what it means, just wonder what's it got to do with how the bird performs and/or breeds? Also, the wing............what exactly is it that you look for in a "short distance" bird versus and "long distance bird"? I was out in the loft checking out all the new babies and there are a few that when just walking around have that "one tail feather" so I was curious as to what you guys views are.

[re lee]

A tight tailed bird can control the tail better and have less drag. Use to say a short distance speed bird The secondary flights were curved faster towds the body. Where others were slightly curved. But this is not true thought. Short distance birds. sprinters are bred towards faster flight. Which they can do say up to the 300 mile mark befor they get tierd enough to slow down more in flight.

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hey you lovebirds,

I still think you have a great web site. If you want my little two cents then here it is:

I think a good racing pigeon, should have a tail. A good set of eyes, and a pair of wings. You might as well put a vent on the list also.

I think you get my point. Somewhere along the way, people get these ideals about what kind of traits a good racing pigeon should have. These are then looked upon as some sort of "sign", like eye sign etc. I really think this stuff is a dead end road. If there is a special kind of tail a bird should have, it will show itself on race day. It will be what you see as they drop into the trap. That would be the only "Tail Sign" I would give any real weight to.

From the commercial side of it, if enough people want, and will pay for a "One feather tail", then guess what the breeders will produce to sell ?

[Lovebirds]

I think I agree with you Warren. I just had to ask the question to make sure.

[birdy]

I've always liked the "look" of a bird with single tail feather but I think it's just that - for aesthetic reasons. When it comes to sprint birds I like them a bit muscular in the breast and medium to large. I can't speak to the wing for I've never really studied it. For the longer distance, and I'm talking YBs, the medium to smaller pigeons do better for me. But in YBs, and I've raced them out to 350, most things are equal as I had some of my bigger pigeons do well on a particular day. To me, it's like a baseball team, you have a mix of 'hitters' that might excel on a particular day since wind and other weather factors play such a big role.