More about high flying
(Internet Published) July 2002
I have mixed feelings about the high flying syndrome. Up there at 6,000 feet
or more the atmosphere may be extremely cold and may sap the energy of the
birds that reach such altitudes. Furthermore, at this kind of altitude, the
birds are extremely difficult to see and we could too easily be disqualified
because of inability to locate them. At this kind of altitude, the birds
encounter clouds, air pollution haze and several forms of turbulence. To
those who keep Rollers or Tumblers, this kind of high flying makes it hard
to observe their specialised acrobatics and yet Rollers and Tumblers are
notorious for high flying.
However, there is a credit side. On certain days even in England the
atmosphere becomes so warm and oppressive, that unless birds rise into the
cooler altitudes they will soon become dehydrated.
Well! What can we do? Are there any seeds or tonics to cause pigeons to fly
high? Some people think so but I do not. Pigeons either adapt themselves to
high flying or they do not. We may be able to starve excessive high flying
out of them but if they happen to get some feed, up they will go and then
high flying becomes a weakness not a strength - A nuisance not a pleasure.