Tumbler Pigeons

Tumbler breeds; some do, some don't.

Tumbler pigeons get their name originally from the fact that the bird would physically flip or summersault in flight. In past decades the tumbling ability has been lost through selective breeding for color only in the respective breed. West of England Tumblers for instance were originally a flight pigeon. Bred exclusively for competition It has since been bred for the show pen. I raise West of England Tumblers. They are the show type. I see the performance type occasionally however they no longer resemble the original type as the original birds were booted, not muffed to the extent of today's show types.

Many types of tumblers exist today. Most do not tumble and most are bred for the show pen. They are hardy breeders for the most part and do well throughout the country with it's varying climates.

Tumblers should not be confused with rollers. Rollers are a more advanced breed of pigeon bred down from tumbler breeds. Rollers have been bred to the extent that they have lost the ability to fly and roll on the ground. These are called Parlor rollers.

Tumblers make a great "first breed" and many breed them for life.