PRESS RELEASE AND POSITION STATEMENT
NATIONAL BIRMINGHAM ROLLER CLUB; May 28, 2007

The Roller pigeon is a unique breed of pigeon that has been cultivated for centuries for its ability to tumble and "roll" while flying in flocks of ten to thirty birds, several hundred feet above their homes. Thousands of roller fanciers across the United States enjoy breeding and flying these beautiful birds as a backyard family hobby.

Recently, we were dismayed to learn that eleven Roller pigeon enthusiasts were arrested in Los Angeles, California and in Portland, Oregon by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as part of a costly 14-month "sting" operation. These individuals are charged with trapping and sometimes killing protected Cooper's Hawks which were attacking and killing their pigeons.

The National Birmingham Roller Club's position has always been one of not condoning or promoting the harassment, capture, or killing of birds of prey for any reason. The NBRC in no way endorses or supports any activity that would cause stress, injury, or death to any bird of prey. If it should eventually be proven that any members of the NBRC have been found to have engaged in such activity, we state emphatically that such behavior was not with the consent, knowledge, or approval of the NBRC. Until proven guilty, these individuals are presumed innocent, despite the inappropriate and grossly exaggerated comments of spokespersons for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which sought to tar thousands of roller fanciers by reason of the unfortunate allegations against less than a dozen individuals.

Predation by hawks has become a part of life not only for Roller pigeon enthusiasts, but also racing pigeon enthusiasts, game breeders, commercial hatcheries, and any other business or hobby that exposes domestic birds to elements of the wild. Contrary to what some may have been led to believe, Cooper's Hawks are now to be found in abundance across the United States. They have become relentless in their pursuit of prey not only in rural and remote regions but even in major metropolitan cities.

We reject the exaggerated and insulting comments of one U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson who claimed that Birmingham Rollers have a genetic "defect." These pigeons have a unique genetic trait which has enabled them to serve as pets and as a wholesome backyard hobby for tens of thousands of men and women over the last century. The fact that they may not be suited to living in the wild does not render them defective or unworthy of protection, any more so than most dog breeds should be considered defective or worthy of elimination because they are not suited to survival in the wild.

These pigeons' tumbling behavior is not the reason they are attacked by Cooper's Hawks. For the most part, these pigeons do not begin tumbling until they are several months old, yet juvenile pigeons are regularly killed by hawks. Cooper's Hawks typically attack these pigeons when they alight from exercise on their home roof, not when they are performing high in the air. The numbers of racing pigeons likewise being killed rises every year, yet racing pigeons do not tumble or roll. Many pigeon fanciers lose dozens of their pets every year to the Cooper's Hawk or, to a much lesser extent, to the Red-Tailed Hawk. Since the average value of each Roller pigeon taken generally exceeds $100, these losses are extremely disheartening to those who breed and love their pet pigeons.

Many of our Club members have pleaded with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for intervention or assistance to relocate Cooper's Hawks, in compliance with laws protecting livestock predated by endangered species. So far, our pleas have gone unanswered. Our government regularly assists ranchers when their livestock are predated by wolves, coyotes, cougars and bears. However, when thousands of our valuable pet pigeons are killed by Cooper's Hawks whose current numbers far exceed any previous hawk population estimates, our pleas for assistance to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are met with silence.

However frustrating it may be, we understand and work with the hawk problem by not exposing our birds routinely to hawks when they are present and also by not flying at all during the seasons of the year when hawks are most prevalent, typically fall and winter in North America. This is the only method the NBRC recommends and endorses.

The NBRC is the oldest and largest organization promoting the Roller hobby, with members throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, Canada, and Mexico. The Club was founded to preserve and advance this wonderful breed of bird. We encourage people to take up the hobby; we assist beginners in the hobby irrespective of lack of resources. This includes members donating time and materials, building housing structures and assisting beginners to obtain high-quality breeding stock.

The NBRC has been a contributor to local charitable organizations nationwide. In the Los Angeles area in particular, our organization holds shows and auctions with proceeds going to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Youth League, among other local charities. The hobby has become a great outlet for youths, particularly in deprived neighborhoods such as South Central Los Angeles, where this wholesome hobby has helped keep many young people from participating in gangs and illegal drug activity.

The overwhelming majority of Roller enthusiasts are law-abiding and nature loving men and women from all walks of life. It is critical not to generalize the Roller fancier as aggressive, lawless or fringe. We count among our members men, women, and young teenagers from all walks of life. From blue collar to white collar and from red state to blue state, the NBRC does not discriminate and welcomes anyone to join its ranks. With over two thousand members spread across the United States, our membership is a true cross section of America, representing a variety of ideals, philosophies, and lifestyles, all brought together with one common interest.

With regard to how the hobby and the Roller pigeon have been portrayed by the media, Rollers are domestic pigeons of many beautiful colors and markings. They are not common street pigeons. They have been cultivated over generations, producing a streamlined bird which is fully aware of its innate ability and can control it. It is not a nuisance pigeon, since it is trained to fly for twenty to forty minutes, after which it alights and promptly re-enters its home.

The NBRC continues to promote safe methods for dealing with the predation problem, as it always has. Education and adherence to law have always been fundamental to the NBRC. We invite the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to partner with us in finding workable methods to protect our valuable pets from the increasing rates of predation by Cooper's Hawks.

NBRC