Established 1979 Company Number: 11693988 VAT Registration Number: 284 0522 13 +44 (0)1606 836036 +44 (0)7871 701585 elimarpigeons@gmail.com

Two Groups of Species

 

 

TWO GROUPS OF SPECIES

by John Clements

Most species whether it be birds, mammals or fish can be divided into two groups. These two species groups are ‘Pair Bonding’ species and ‘Tournament’ species. It is easier to identify the ‘Tournament’ types because among other things the males tend to be much larger than the females. Typical examples are silver backed Gorillas and 12 pointer stags, and mature male lions, but some fish and birds come into this category as well. In birds the male birds tend to be large birds with highly coloured bright display plumage as opposed to their opposite number, small dowdy unimpressive females of nondescript colour. Male fish in this category also tend to be flashy and brightly coloured.

In the ‘Pair Bonding’ group the size difference between males and females is not so obvious. In this group, after the initial mating season, pairs, barring accidents, bond for life. They tend to have twins as opposed to single youngsters for both the males and the females in this group take a part in the upbringing of the young. Wild pigeons, as a species, belong to the ‘Pair Bonding’ group but when homing pigeons are cultivated for speed, as in the sport of pigeon racing, a difference begins to emerge.

In pigeon racing practice such as the widowhood method, males are kept separate from the females except when required to race. When racing, they return at speed to find a reward in the form of a submissive and willing hen. Aggressive males, under this system, begin to be selected because they are more likely to have the necessary high sex drive to induce them to fly at speed. This is particularly so in sprint or middle distance races where aggression and domination are desired attributes. Sprint or middle distance male pigeons are usually much larger than their female equivalent.

As competitive distance increases, this difference is not so marked and in very long distance pigeons successful cocks are often referred to as being small and hen-like, so fanciers more accustomed to winning sprint and middle distance races think of them as not having ‘body’ or not being male and aggressive enough, but in this type of racing the basic species trait (Pair Bonding) of the pigeon comes more to the fore for it is pigeons like these that usually have greater staying power, greater navigational skills, but less aggression. 

Owners of pigeons tend to follow the trait they see in themselves. Aggressive outgoing personalities tend to like sprinting while introverted personalities tend more towards the long distance. It is difficult to change one’s personality just as it is difficult to change what type of racing attracts. Nevertheless it is the sprint or middle distance that is commercially more desirable because the returns from initial investment are quicker. Long distance racing on the other hand has greater status among the general public because great distances create romantic appeal. Long distance racing is also more difficult and subsequently it is prized because it is rarer.