by Nino Bugeja [For PDF version Click Here]

The January newsletter was one filled with interest from many Tippler fanciers. One such article was sent in by Bruce Roseblade on his view of what a Tippler should look like. He also is suggesting that today’s Tippler is taking on a Roller appearance and they should be called a Roller, due to the articles sent in by Oskar Zovich and his trip to the UK. There we see many a bird that is carrying white flights and badge looking birds when referring to their color markings, and not in his view what a Tippler should look like. I found this interesting as he was referring to articles written many years back by John T Curley for one, that on the surface would support his theory. Mr. Roseblade refers to this Breed as North American and Canadian Tipplers, when in fact, Mr. Curley’s book acknowledges their origin to be from England, and therefore they are known as English Tipplers. Mr. Curly also acknowledges in his book , and I quote ” The interest in developing a notable pigeon for its endurance flying was known to exist well over a hundred years ago, and fanciers taking part in this project used just about any likely prospect that was handy at that time. Cumulets, Bald Tumblers, and other long-time high-flying breeds were crossed in, with no attention being paid to Type or colour ”

Curley’s book was written in 1961, and as mentioned earlier he refers to facts of well over a hundred years back when dealing with the origin of the breed we know as the Tippler. At this time in their development the flying Tumbler was also introduced into the making of this breed and they
came in all colours and colour phases including Baldheads and Badge.

Rollers, Tipplers, and Tumblers, and their development have been well documented that indeed they were all being developed at the same time, and therefore their genes were indeed spread around like sand in the wind. If we know this, then there should be no reason that today’s Tippler could not have endless colours and colour combinations. It can also be stated that back then, the picture of the print that Bruce has supplied was thought to be the “Ideal” of what a Tippler should like, but it was mostly representative at the show ring and not at the flying side of things.

In today’s flying Tippler, and the never ending reach for more hours, dark flying is where it must be had, and for that reason many a fancier is Selecting birds that are lighter in color and with more white in them so they can be seen easier in the dark.

Its all about selection and culling for ones ideal, and I guess in Bruce’s case he only thinks of a Tippler if it represents his Ideal. Bruce get informed my friend and star flying those Tipplers of yours.