A QUESTION OF TEMPERAMENT
by Jim Emerton
Good looks are nice to behold in man and pigeon - glossy, shiny specimen birds. In my experience the personality or temperament, if you can read it, is crucial. Marathon birds and fanciers tend to be quieter, conserve energy, are more laidback, patient and outwardly tolerant of stress. Sprint birds and fanciers are often overtly excitable, fiery, impulsive and energetic and do not like extended periods of prolonged stress. A Barcelona bird may endure days of endurance flying and a sprinter perhaps 2 hrs on the wing. These are generalisations, since each bird and fancier is a unique individual. Logically a quiet bird is not necessarily of any racing value, as it is the sum total of internal and external traits that comprises the whole package. Waiting day after day for returning birds is the domain of the patient, yet some men can race right through to all levels with a degree of calm. I think the truth is that racing is stressful for all concerned.
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Elimar - November 2014
