DEFY "RAT-WITH-WINGS" STEROTYPE

[SmithFamilyLoft]

The following article appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot News on May 2, 2005


http://www.pennlive.com/search/index...0.xml?pennnews


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HARRISBURG
Pigeons bred to race defy 'rat-with-wings' stereotypes
Red Lion man's racing birds are nothing like city pigeons
Monday, May 02, 2005
BY MARY KLAUS
Of The Patriot-News
Some fulfill their childhood dreams by buying Corvettes, golf clubs or baseball cards.

George Schaffer races pigeons.


"There's something exciting about watching the sky for your pigeons to come in," the Red Lion man said yesterday after watching a flock of his birds take off from the Harrisburg Pet Expo in the state Farm Show Complex. "It makes me happy."

His cooing gray pigeons, part of a American Racing Pigeon Union release, took off swiftly, circled back over the Farm Show parking lot three times, then disappeared into the air as they began their 40-mile flight home.

Racing pigeons are as far removed from city-square pigeons as "show dogs are from mutts and race horses are from mules," said Deone Roberts, an official of the Oklahoma City-based American Racing Pigeon Union Inc.

She said racing, or homing, pigeons are larger, sleeker and smarter than city pigeons.

"People have called pigeons rats with wings and say they carry diseases," she said. "That's not true. Their bodies are 107 degrees, too hot to harbor disease. They are smart enough to fly home from hundreds of miles away. If you could hear as well as a pigeon, you would hear things going on in the next state."

Homing pigeons have carried messages for more than 5,000 years and saved lives in World Wars I and II. Roberts said the military uses them in Iraq to find chemicals.

Roberts said the birds' popularity is increasing, "Our membership has been growing 3 percent a year for each of the past four years."

Schaffer, stroking a typical 1-pound, 10-inch racing pigeon, said he heard World War II veterans praise pigeons when he was a child. He wanted one, but his father didn't.

"I didn't get my own until I was in the Merchant Marines in Jacksonville in 1994," he said. "My first race was 100 miles and I didn't know to condition them. But my birds came home eventually and I was hooked."

A member of the Red Lion Pigeon Club, he keeps 150 pigeons in a specially built loft.

"Pigeons are big business," he said. "People bet on the races, and there are even pigeon futurities and pigeon Internet sites. Yet, even though some aspects have gone high tech, it's still about a pigeon flying home the fastest."

He said pigeons rely on their stamina and homing instinct as they fly through storms, heat or head winds to reach their lofts. They average 50 mph and can fly even faster with a good tail wind. When the bird gets home, the owner removes the racing band from its leg, and clocks it in at a designated clock. The fastest bird wins.

Warren Smith of York, another pigeon racer, said the hobby allows him to "go back and relive my childhood dream. Now I can afford it. I have 12 pairs of breeders and 40 young birds which race."

Smith said he races pigeons 10 weeks a year.

"I love my pigeons," he said. "They have personalities, just like dogs and cats do. A winning pigeon needs to have good balance, muscle, intelligence and the spirit and tenacity to fly against the wind when other birds want to go on a roof and rest."

MARY KLAUS: 255-8113 or mklaus@patriot-news.com

[John_D]

Good on you, Warren - the more fanciers who share how much they care about their birds, the better! And, It's a good article all round.

Not so sure about the quote on diseases We know only too well that they can harbor diseases, since some of the rescues are in dire need of treatment. Or is she talking about pigeon-to-people type diseases?

At a slight tangent:It's a shame that some fanciers have a real down on ferals backed up by a lack of understanding - I came across one on an email list I'm on, and he came over almost like the stuff you'd hear from pest controllers

John

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello John,

The 2005 Pet Expo, only came about because of the hard work of only a few fanciers. The local clubs, by and large, couldn't have cared less. It is the work of the few, for the many.

The quotes from the AU, by Deone Roberts, were excellent one liners. You never know what line is going to be used. The message that we wanted to get across, is that humans have little to fear from a pigeon. And that is true.
To go into detail of what pigeons could transfer to each other, would have just reinforced the sterotype. My Gawd, you can get canker from a pigeon !!! or some other nonsense.

We purchased the front page of the program which was handed out to all adults who purchased tickets to enter, cost $8. So, one way or another, the almost 20,000 people who attended the two day event, were given a positive message concerning pigeons.

[Lin Hansen]

Hey Warren!

First, you become a character in a book!

Now, you are being interviewed for the newspapers!

Can I have your autograph???? LOL

Seriously though, it's great to hear that one of our members was reponsible for trying to reach many people with a positive message about our feathered friends.

Thanks,
Linda

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Thanks Lin,

If all owners of pigeons, would invest just a few hours a year, in promoting racing, showing, owning, or just plain enjoying our feather friends, then the results would be amazing.

Perhaps there are readers here, who will step forward and "Lead" in their local area. One needs not be an expert, simply have a desire to share our love of this bird. The media coverage and display at our Pet Expo, was from the work of just six people, which reached perhaps 20,000 + people.

Do the math, if our 4,000 + members did the same, we would reach millions of people. Something to think about. Imagine the impact, that a few million people can have in regards to our pigeons.

We owe it to our feather friends, and to future generations, to "educate" the public.

[rena paloma]

hello, great article! i printed it and am posting it all over my city, alongside and maybe on a poster for an upcomming show. I am a pigeon loving musician, and all my posters and a band shirt has pigeons on it (rock doves, people most identify with them) and i tell people, the winged rat is the BAT...and BATS are CUTE. so, there. i love pigeons, and feed my ferals, and take pride in helping sick and injured pigeons, (mostly the evil work of the uneducated)...people abuse them, and something needs to be done.
when i joined pigeons.com, there were 3500 members. now there are 4100. what does that say? and where can i get pigeons.com swag? cafeinequeen@yahoo.ca

[Trees Gray]

Some of my best friends are pigeons and I educate anybody who asks me about my birds. My other best friends???? Reti, and others here who are with pigeons 24/7 and so devoted to them.

I teach my nieces and nephews about pigeons, their ancestry and bring Skye, (the first and only pigeon on "The Pet psychic") and the gang over for them to observe. I would like to share them at schools (at Show & Tell)( when my life settles down to normal) where children can be educated about our noble pigeons. My son also defends and educates them at school, when kids talk about "those flying rats". I'm still teaching my grown up sons, who think I have gone off the deep end..to respect and help any feral or pigeon in trouble, it is our God given duty.

Reti drives around with Tiny sitting on the seat, he is so comfortable there, and he is so beautiful and smart as a whip! He sets an example for all human beings to see, as people notice the unusual bird sitting on the seat as the car goes by. Because this bird was given a chance at life to live among humans, it has brought out the best for all to see, that feral pigeons are noble creatures.
Skye and Tiny happily ignore each other, of course, they both think they are human! LOL

Teaching can happen anywhere, but especially should begin in school. Children need to learn a healthy respect for nature, but especialy a healthy respect for pigeons!

Treesa

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Originally Posted by SmithFamilyLoft

Thanks Lin,

If all owners of pigeons, would invest just a few hours a year, in promoting racing, showing, owning, or just plain enjoying our feather friends, then the results would be amazing.

Perhaps there are readers here, who will step forward and "Lead" in their local area. One needs not be an expert, simply have a desire to share our love of this bird. The media coverage and display at our Pet Expo, was from the work of just six people, which reached perhaps 20,000 + people.

Do the math, if our 4,000 + members did the same, we would reach millions of people. Something to think about. Imagine the impact, that a few million people can have in regards to our pigeons.

We owe it to our feather friends, and to future generations, to "educate" the public.

Oh my, a whole year has gone by. I think I still have to agree with what I said about this time a year ago.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Warren,

Somehow I guess I missed this post last year...great article for the most part and good mentions by you I think it is a good way to promote pigeons but there were a couple of statements made that I didn't necessarily agree with by the official of the ARPU.

Racing pigeons are as far removed from city-square pigeons as "show dogs are from mutts and race horses are from mules," said Deone Roberts, an official of the Oklahoma City-based American Racing Pigeon Union Inc.

She said racing, or homing, pigeons are larger, sleeker and smarter than city pigeons.

I have to question these statements to a certain degree and in particular the part about homing pigeons being smarter than ferals. Ferals seem to be very smart and savvy in the wilds. They know & remember where all the food sources are, they seem to be better parents and they are very predator experienced as well. Sometimes when homers get lost, they have no choice but to find a feral flock to lead them to food and water. The ones that don't hook up with a feral flock, are sometimes found weak, emaciated and dehydrated by some of our members here. Homing pigeons have been genetically altered to be that, "better homers" thus may seem "smarter", but I don't believe they are any smarter overall than a street pigeon

I too wish that some fanciers and representatives of the pigeon unions wouldn't look so down on the feral, as this is the lineage of their dear homers

You do a good job yourself though in promoting pigeons and spreading a positive word about all of them. It's not your fault what these people write

[Reti]

Warren, you're a celebrity Good article.
I do agree with Brad about the homers/racers and the ferals. Most ferals are very smart. I have all kinds of rescued pigeons here, ferals, racing pigeons, show pigeons and they are all smart, and the alfa male is a feral, he rules the coop.

Treesa, Skye and Tiny are very special and very intelligent both despite their different backgrounds. I just wish they could talk.
I get quite a few looks from people in passing cars when Tiny perches on the back of the seat or my shoulder. First they seem to think "oh ok, a bird" then they take a second look "what the heck..." Some people smile, others just keep on looking.
My best friends are animal and pigeons lovers. One of the best days in my life was joining this forum where I met the most wonderful people and I made great friends. I would have never met Treesa if it wasn't for Pigeon Life and I would have missed out so much. I got to meet Yong and Julie,wonderful ladies, so much fun to be around and all ready to help. I knew nothing about birds when I joined. I still have a lot to learn but I can handle most sick and injured now.
Thank you all great members.

Reti

[feralpigeon]

Well, here's an article on the real 'flying rats', I mean bats:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060513/...life_rabies_dc

Unbelievable.

fp

[mr squeaks]

Sorry, but pigeons and bats labeled "flying rats" REALLY bothers me.

I think it's a disservice to, not only pigeons and bats, but rats as well...

Many rats make great pets...

[feralpigeon]

Originally Posted by mr squeaks

Sorry, but pigeons and bats labeled "flying rats" REALLY bothers me.

I think it's a disservice to, not only pigeons and bats, but rats as well...

Many rats make great pets...

OK, sorry


fp

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Originally Posted by Pigeonpal2002

Hi Warren,

........... I think it is a good way to promote pigeons but there were a couple of statements made that I didn't necessarily agree with by the official of the ARPU.

Racing pigeons are as far removed from city-square pigeons as "show dogs are from mutts and race horses are from mules," said Deone Roberts, an official of the Oklahoma City-based American Racing Pigeon Union Inc.

She said racing, or homing, pigeons are larger, sleeker and smarter than city pigeons.

I have to question these statements to a certain degree and in particular the part about homing pigeons being smarter than ferals.........Homing pigeons have been genetically altered to be that, "better homers" thus may seem "smarter", but I don't believe they are any smarter overall than a street pigeon

I too wish that some fanciers and representatives of the pigeon unions wouldn't look so down on the feral, as this is the lineage of their dear homers

........

Hello Brad,

You make many valid points Brad. But please keep in mind, that it is the breeders and owners of racing pigeons, which pay the salaries and expenses of the employees of the American Racing Pigeon Union.

Their job is to promote the "Racing Pigeon", much like the race horse community spends time and money promoting the race horse. I think the point that Deone and others were trying to make, was not to put down the wild pigeon. But to show the public that the racing pigeons maintained in the racing lofts by racing fanciers, are indeed very special birds. Which have been selectively bred for their intelligence, speed, stamina, endurance, homing instinct, etc.

If we could devise an intelligence test for pigeons, upon which we all agree would be fair, I think my birds SAT scores would measure much higher then any of the next 100 wild birds caputured at my local park, tested, and then released, would measure.

Not that this would make the wild birds "inferior", but that they just ain't as smart. Just like my kids and grand kids, are smarter then all them other kids !

It's all in the genes, and it makes people mad that not only am I so much smarter, .....so are my pigeons. Just the way things are, and I just stopped making excuses for myself and birds.

Just like my Mom said when I was little and I had my own special little bus....I was a "Special" child. And now, so our my birds !!

[Pigeonpal2002]

Originally Posted by SmithFamilyLoft

If we could devise an intelligence test for pigeons, upon which we all agree would be fair, I think my birds SAT scores would measure much higher then any of the next 100 wild birds caputured at my local park, tested, and then released, would measure.

Yep, you're biased and very proud of your birds/kids/grandkids/yourself and so you should be I still do not believe that homing pigeons are smarter than ferals. Each pigeon is an individual and both ferals and homers have different obstacles to overcome in order to survive. Ferals have a much harder life than their pampered racing homer cousins so in this regard, it would seem they have to learn many things that domestic birds don't. Racing pigeons are bred for speed, stamina and homing ability, therefore foraging skills, chick rearing and predator evasion might not be as highly tuned in them. Homers are known to be excellent parents but so are ferals. If it weren't for some diseases, I think they might be more successful in raising their young than homing pigeons overall.

Hopefully you are right, and Deone's way of promoting racing pigeons still manages to get people thinking more highly of the poor street pigeons. It was a very positive article otherwise and anytime there is something written about pigeons, it will hopefully get the public thinking about these birds, where they came from, and why they are so unique