Divers
This is a category of performance pigeons that neither tumbles, rolls, nor are they considered highfliers. It is not a racing bird nor is it a pouter. It is a bird that usually flies singularly or in small groups and not as part of a kit. It does fly quick; flying fast does not properly describe what it obtains. When flying it may make barrel rolls; loops, and zig-zags at break-neck speed. Then on a command or a drop bird by the owner the bird will dive to its loft location and land as quickly as it can achieve without harm to itself.
Many of these birds are used in a sport of evading birds of prey or capture by luring them into a trapping situation. This activity is done with less frequency than it once was and the evasion of birds of prey only occurs by accidental meetings generally in present day. It is also a bird that some breeders use to discourage birds of prey from attacking their breed of choice. They allow the Diver to fly first hoping to bring the bird of prey from his perch or flight to give chase. The bird of prey not being able to catch the Diver becomes discouraged and flies from the area or flies into a waited trap chasing the diving pigeon. At this time the breeder will release the breed of his choice having less fear of losing any to the birds of prey.. .
The following is a list of Divers along with descriptions of some.:
Doneks - There are two types; one is the Turkish breed that is found with no head adornment and are clean legged. The second is called a Macedonian which may have feathered legs or partially feathered legs. They hail from the Czech area of the world. Their performance and level of performance are similar. They are a medium size breed; smaller than the Dewlap, but larger than the Escampadissa Roller. During flight they can do barrel type rolls or fly in large loops and they do this at great speed. Upon an audible signal or a drop bird will dive toward the loft with breakneck speed and pulling up just in time to land safely.
Dewlaps - Dewlaps are a strong bird, hard-feathered, alert, a superb flier. They are a medium to large size bird weighing about 20 ounces on the average. They are plain headed and clean legged and get their name from the large gullet, or dewlap, from which it gets its English name. They come in a large variety of colors. It is believed that they come from Syria or near by Lebanon
Escampadissa Rollers - They are a Spanish developed breed. It is a very old breed that originated from the Oriental Roller. It is a solo flier especially raised and trained to dodge birds of prey. It is small, averaging about 10 to 12 ounces and is plain headed and clean legged with no oil gland. Comes in in several colors, but like all performance breeds colors mean nothing and are unimportant.
Kelebeks -Kelebeks unlike many other Turkish Tumblers are known as Kelebeks throughout Turkey. Kelebeks perform every trick done by all diving breeds but, with ease and in a longer performance full of flight. In fact some even add a few tumbles to their performance. Their main quality is that they fly alone. When flown together, they fly like swarm of bees in the air. They get their name from the flying action they possess. In the Turkish language kelebrek means butterfly. Their landings tend to be on the rough side. They are smaller than Doneks and may be the best of all Turkish Tumblers or divers because of their staying power of flight and performance.
