pigeons doing aerobatics

[gfcutler]

This morning I watched several flocks of pigeons flying over my house. What brought them to my attention was the very slow speed they were flying at, unlike their usual dash across the sky.
I then saw something unusual. All of the birds started to do multiple flick-rolls and loops - and by loops, I mean spinning tightly on a vertical axis, beak over tail in one place, not a series of vertical circles.
They stopped their loop by spreading their tail feathers, before repeating the manoeuvre and throwing themselves around the sky several times!
Beautiful to watch, but mystifying.
Can anyone explain these antics to me, please?

Graham.

[htcdude]

I'd imagine it's males displaying for territory rights. They don't display as much as they call over this matter, but it does happen.

I think displaying is more common in Stock Doves, but Pigeon's will do it.

Nige

[suntrecker]

I suppose Im wrong but this reminds me of 'tumberlers' a type of pigeons that do this in a flock. People do not seem to keep these today as they do racing ones.
When I was young a fella near to us used to keep this type and I used to watch them flying and then tumbleing down as if falling then swoop up again. Im not saying this is what gfcutler saw but........

[faz]

sounds like tumblers to you have two differnt colour black and red doth have white faces and white tips to the wings thet are calle black or red badges


you can also get pigeons called mags who also tumble

[htcdude]

Pigeon tumbling??? I've never heard of that before, why do they do it??

Nige

[wizzo]

Thi behaviour was featured on Autumn Watch, a few weeks back. looks very weird I must admit!

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by htcdude

Pigeon tumbling??? I've never heard of that before, why do they do it??

Nige

Its bred into them, or rather its been selectively bred for. I forget why....

[faz]

i used to keep them they are bred to tumble if u go on u tube ther is vids on ther

[rossy]

welcome to the forum gfcutler , as stated tumblers, and that is exactly what they do, however if birds of prey are about, they tend to also alter the way they fly, one other thing that crosses my mind is, are trying to shake off ticks ? as all birds have them. rossy.

[werdnal]

Sounds like they were domestic pigeons - tumblers, tipplers and rollers are all bred for their acrobatic skills. We used to have rollers but they fly so high, they were picked off by our local peregrines, so we stick to our pretty doves now!