The National Birmingham Roller Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the flying and breeding of the Birmingham Roller Pigeon. Through a combination of regional and national events, the NBRC fosters a camaraderie within its members. With members in every state and across several countries, the NBRC strives to unite the breeders of Birmingham Rollers with the goal of sharing and learning from each other and from our birds. Every year the culmination of our passion to breed top performers is exemplified with the National Championship Fly. During the early spring and fall, hundreds of competitors across the country fly their best kits in hopes of landing a coveted qualifying position for the final fly, in pursuit of being a national champion.
For those wanting to have a cheaper way to join the NBRC, do the online bulletin membership ($25). You get the same benefits as all other members but you will not get a paper copy of the NBRC bulletin, Every 2 months when the NBRC bulletins are printed you will receive an online bulletin plus your membership will give you access to past bulletins on the site, membership discounts from the online store, eligible to buy NBRC bands, and make you eligible to fly in the 11 and 20 bird flies. This is perfect for those from other countries wanting the NBRC bimonthly bulletins.
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Please read if Joining or Renewing Memberships
(Joining) New Membership applicants: If joining the NBRC with no current membership, click on this link “http://Join the NBRC” and fill in the form.
Renewing On-line: If you are renewing a current membership, you will need to log onto this site using your username and password. Once you have logged onto the site, you will need to click ” http://Renew On-line” . This will allow you to renew your membership as long as it is within 60 days of expiring.
To use a credit or debit card: You will need to click the option “Paypal” and then the credit card option will appear at the bottom of the page where you can fill in your card information. Do not use the “manual” option.
Whether a new member or renewing, Do not click the option “manual”. If you click the option “manual” you will be unable to pay for your membership and it will show that your membership is pending, so do not click “manual”.
If you have trouble logging onto this site because you have forgotten your username or password, email [email protected] for assistances.
John McDougall’s Flying American Roller – black beard OC. Photo from 1989. I first started flying rollers in 1944. These blacks were developed from a red cock × black hen that Bill Schreiber gave me around 1972
The Birmingham Roller Pigeon is a domesticated member of the bird family Columbidae. In particular, the Roller distinguishes itself by its ability to “roll”, or summersault backward in rapid, tight rotations. The rolling can be so fast on its axis that the pigeon resembles a ball of feathers spinning in mid-air.
Birmingham Rollers, like all domestic pigeons, possess a homing ability that drives them to return to where they feel safe and where they find sustenance. With this natural ability, enthusiasts launch groups (also known as kits) of Rollers into the air to watch and awe at their synchronized acrobatics. During the competition, these birds are judged on a variety of factors, including the number of birds rolling simultaneously, the depth of the roll, and the quality of the roll, as well as “kitting” (grouping or flocking) ability.
Noted past roller man and past President Nick Siders shared this short article edited from writing by Graham Dexter.
What does a proper Birmingham Roller need to do to be worth watching?
The roller should roll over backward holding its wings up to a parallel point at the top of its axis and on the wings on the downstroke should also finish when parallel. This gives the illusion, if fast enough, of a smooth spinning ball. When seen from below it may present as a spinning ‘H’ or if the wings go slightly in the parallel position it may look like an ‘A’. When the wings do not reach a full parallel point before commencing the downward stroke it may appear like an ‘X’ from below. For most novices, the most important thing to note is that when the bird is rolling and viewed from the side at a right angle, it should give the impression of either a solid ball or a ball with a hole through the middle.
Pensom’s ‘considerable distance’ should be long enough for the viewer to see it start, notice its shape, speed, and style, and whether the bird stops correctly. If the roll is too short the viewer will not have enough time to do all this.
The proper Birmingham Roller should start cleanly and sharply in the roll, roll in a straight line, show no change in speed or style throughout the duration of the roll, and stop cleanly, facing the same direction the kit is flying.
The bird should be capable of rolling frequently at least once a minute or more often. More important it should roll with the kit and as often as it rolls and should be able to roll throughout the duration of the fly. – Graham Dexter (edited)
J. Leroy Smith standing at a table on the right of the table with glasses, William Penson on left sitting on the table, Howard McCully on left kneeling and Stan Plona on right in white shirt
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