The Serbian high-flyer is a type of sport pigeon from the high-fly breed whose origin is considered to date back to Babylon. About 2000 before Christ, during the great migration of peoples, many tribes left Babylon and settled in the central Balkans. They brought with them culture and religion, and within it the Babylonian holy bird-pigeon.
For centuries, selected to "touch the sky" and bring the messages of the gods, this pigeon was still characterized by a high circular flight. The Romans would call all these peoples Illyrians, and their holy dove Columbia Illyrica. With the development of Christianity, Illyrian sanctuaries became Christian churches, and the Illyrian holy dove was named "Archangel" in accordance with Christian teachings in Serbia.
From that time, there are records that he was raised in the courts of nobles, in monasteries and churches, but also in towns and villages. A document from 1349 mentions pigeons, God's archangels on the estates of the Pec Patriarchate. The wife of King Uroš I, Jelena Anžujska (13th century), raises these pigeons at court, and paints her endowment with dozens of beautiful furry pigeons (Gradac, Brnjci).During the Turkish slavery, the Serbs continued to raise their "hairy" archangels, which according to the records the Turks call feslije, that is. kapasti. Unlike them, the Turkish breeds brought are te-fesi or without a tuft, mostly turners. Medieval priests raised pigeons as postmen, so the Illyrian pigeon was kept in Serbian monasteries. Wealthier Turks who kept these pigeons in Serbia during the Ottoman Empire (16th-18th century) procured them from the same source, i.e. from Serbian monks. In the areas from Hungary to Kosovo and Metohija and from Nis to Smiljan (Dalmatia), only the Serbian furry pigeon will be kept, which is characterized by a circular, peaceful and high flight, while in Bosnia and Macedonia, the Turkish breeds Dunek, Masarka and Izmir will prevail.
At that time, due to isolation, strains of Serbian high-flyers were developing, among which Belgrade, Nis, Smederevo, Krusevac would be specially shaped and established… During the great migrations of Serbs, this pigeon will inhabit all areas inhabited by Serbs. That is how it will reach Buda and Pest, Slavonia, Lika, Dalmatia. All today's breeds of hairy high-flyers from Budapest to Kotor and from Zajecar to Istria, originate from the old Serbian or more precisely Illyrian pigeon.Especially in Vojvodina, the Serbian pigeon will flourish. From town to town, from village to village, Serbian families will raise brought Serbian beaked high-flyers for centuries. The Belgrade pashaluq, and especially the city of Belgrade, will preserve perhaps the most important and strongest strain of the Serbian high-flyer. After the liberation from the Turks, the Principality of Serbia flourished, so the Serbian high-flyer stood out with his circular, high, but also extremely long flight by mixing strains.According to records from the history of this breed, even then we have flocks that fly at the heights of glittering spots for 7, 8 or more hours. That part of the history of this pigeon is documented by extensive historical material and records. Already in 1905, the Belgrade Society of Seen Pigeons was founded in Belgrade, in the tavern of Mića Miljković. In 1910, all Belgrade pigeon fanciers joined the old society and a new, large and Belgrade pigeon fancier society was founded. After the First World War, the First Society was renewed in 1922, 1924. II society was formed, and in 1928 III society. Excellent breeders from that period should be mentioned: Milan Stanisavljevic "Tisler", Mirko Njemec, General Barjaktarevic, Jovan Markovic, Bran Todorovic professor, Ziko Kapunac, Carlo Smith, Milan Bandist, Mito Uzar, Kolakovic merchant, Djoko Djordjevic, city of cassation. Belgrade, Karl Fospihal, Mihajlo Stankovic Colonel, Ilija Batic, Spas Petrovic, General Jankovic, Mico Miljkovic cafe…
Before World War II, Belgrade was by far the strongest pigeon center in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.There were 4 societies and over 600 members of breeders in Belgrade at that time. "New forces" appear, younger pigeon fanciers whose flocks know how to "break the clouds" from morning to dawn.
After World War II, pigeon breeding was an extremely popular hobby. Competitions between the regions of Dorćol, Čubura, Zvezdara, Voždovac, Dušanovac, Senjak begin… and the Union of Belgrade will be formed, and a little later the Union of Serbia of pigeon breeders of Serbian high-flyers. The race will be standardized, regulations will be made and through actions this breed will be brought to a climax. Today, there are more than 600 breeders' associations in Serbia, and over 150,000 young pigeons of this breed are bred annually.From May 1 to September 30, every year there is a whole series of competitions, from social to federal. The winning flocks reach the "Durbin heights" in a circle and fly there for more than 12 hours.
Characteristics of a Serbian high-flyer
High and long flight (up to an altitude of 1500 m)
Circular flight (flies in circles with a diameter of 50 to 200 m)
Group flight (in flocks of 5 to 14 birds)
Colors: There are monochromatic specimens as well as specimens in many combinations of colors and patterns. It is available in all colors, from the basic one that looks like a domesticated wild pigeon (Columba livia domestica), to red, white or black. Regardless of the color, this pigeon has a specific feather crest on the back of its head (pigeons also say "kapa" or "ćuba"). Pigeons distinguish them by shapes and colors, each color and shape has a unique name, for example: bearded, leafy, Mavian, Silver (silvery), Schimler, white-tailed, white-bearded, long, colorful-tailed, colorful-winged, copper-eyed, muddy, etc. If the pigeon has a black color on the tips of the wings, then it is "Spitzler", and if it has only a white head and white wings, then it is "Capar". The dark shiny pigeon is "porcelain". These names vary from place to place, in different regions and regions. The races themselves also have their traditional names. The older races are "Arabs", and the newer breeds have a combination of fattening place and color in their name. So we have Apatin blue-heart, Novi Sad blue, etc. Specific color names and color combinations are common, dating back to the Turkish era. Since the pigeon is also genetically descended from the east, some names in use are also derived from the Turkish language (Tekir, Darcin, Karapal, etc.).
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