In this episode of All About Pigeons, we sit down with Dan Galarza, the judge of the 2025 World Cup, to talk all things Birmingham Rollers, international competition, and what it’s really like judging pigeons on a global stage.
Dan shares firsthand stories from his two-and-a-half-month journey judging World Cup finalists across the United States, Europe, Africa, and Australia, including Bulgaria, Romania, England, Ireland, Serbia, South Africa, and Australia. We dive into how judging works under tight travel schedules, how weather can make or break a fly, and what judges look for when birds are performing under pressure.
We also discuss:
Which countries had the largest World Cup participation
Differences in loft styles overseas vs. the U.S. (including English-style lofts)
Bloodlines and families seen around the world
What set the 2025 World Cup-winning fly in South Africa apart
How wind, terrain, and viewing angles affect scoring
If you’re interested in competitive flying, judging, or the global Birmingham Roller community, this episode offers rare insight straight from the judge himself.
🎥 Be sure to check out Dan’s World Cup interviews on YouTube by searching “2025 World Cup Roller Pigeon”.
https://nbrc.us/dan-galarza-you-tube-worldcup-interviews/
#AllAboutPigeons #BirminghamRollers #WorldCupRollers #RollerPigeons #PigeonPodcast #PigeonJudging #MBRC #RollerFlying #CompetitiveFlying #PigeonHobby #WorldCupPigeons #PigeonCommunity #PigeonLife #RollerWorldCup
In this week’s Word on the Wire, we dive into fresh results from across the pigeon world, including new race reports and some show results from the 2025 Grand National Show. We also run through a stacked list of upcoming events, including the big one on everyone’s radar: the NPA Grand National Show.
Have results, club news, or an event you want featured? Send them our way and we’ll share it for free to help promote your show and your flyers.
#WordOnTheWire #AllAboutPigeons #PigeonRacing #GrandNationalShow #NPAGrandNational #PigeonShows #PigeonHobby #PigeonCommunity #RaceResults #ShowResults #PigeonPodcast #PigeonLife #SupportTheHobby
In this episode of All About Pigeons, we’re joined by Dr. Tim England, a highly respected veterinarian from the Animal Medical Center of Chicago. We talk with Dr. England about his experience in avian care and his longtime involvement in the pigeon hobby. Together, we take a look at the Komorner Tumbler—a historic and beautifully refined fancy pigeon known for its crest, compact shape, and striking color patterns. A simple, relaxed conversation with a great guest and a truly elegant breed.
#AllAboutPigeons #DrTimEngland #KomornerTumbler #FancyPigeons #PigeonPodcast #ShowPigeons #Aviculture #PigeonHobby #PigeonFanciers
On this episode of All About Pigeons, we talk with UK sound artist and composer Nathaniel Mann about one of the most captivating corners of the pigeon world: pigeon whistles. For centuries—long before modern art experiments—pigeon lovers in Beijing, China have been releasing birds with tiny gourd or bamboo whistles tied to their tails. When these pigeons take to the sky in close-knit flocks, the air rushing past creates an eerie, magical symphony above the city. Families have handed down their whistle designs for generations, crafting and tuning each one with the precision and care of a master instrument maker. Nathaniel’s modern whistle project — attaching ultra-light whistles to trained Birmingham Rollers and creating live “sky compositions” — draws inspiration from these traditions, but it’s just one chapter in a much larger global story.
https://www.windmusik.com/html/pigflut.htm#Carried
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08ynyk5
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08ynyk5
https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/event/pigeon-whistles
https://pittrivers-object.blogspot.com/2015/02/new-acquisitions-pigeon-whistles.htmlpigeonpod.com
#PigeonWhistles
#FlyingInstruments
#PigeonHistory
#BeijingPigeons
#AsianPigeonCulture
#PigeonTraditions
#PigeonFanciers
#PigeonPodcast
#AllAboutPigeons
#SkyMusic
#BirminghamRollers
#PigeonSounds
#PigeonHeritage
#BirdCulture
#PigeonCommunity
This special compilation episode of All About Pigeons dives into the world of fancy show breeds — from Jacobins and Indian Fantails to Old German Owls, Short-Faced Tumblers, and more. But it’s not just about the pigeons. We also revisit conversations with the master breeders and top fanciers who specialize in these breeds. Their experience, history, and insight bring each pigeon to life. A perfect listen for exhibitors, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the people behind the show birds.
.#PigeonPodcast#AllAboutPigeons#FancyPigeons#ShowPigeons#IndianFantail#OldGermanOwl#Jacobins#ShortFacedTumblers#PigeonFancier#PigeonHobby#PigeonBreeds#ExhibitionPigeons#PigeonShowLife#PigeonCommunity#BirdLovers
Director of the National Pigeon Association Junior Program Lonny Mefferd sits down with us to talk all about how young fanciers are being encouraged, mentored, and supported in the world of pigeon breeding and showing as well as shares some tips that we can all be doing to help bring youth in this hobby to continue it into the future.
List of competition results, shout outs and upcoming shows.
To have your show, competition results or shout outs read off on air during the next Word On the Wire Episode send an email to:
staff@pigeonpod.com
Educator and pigeon racer Ronnie Shumaker shares his stories of how building and running pigeon lofts in schools has helped his students and the steps you can take to continue this great movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zHUhc7Ohh8&t=5s
Master Flyer and Founder of the very popular Apple Cup One Loft Race Rick Mee comes on the show to share his experiences and ideas on what yields top results when training roller and racer pigeons.
http://www.rickmeerollers.com/
Our Guest Lorrie Monteiro is the curator of the American Pigeon Museum and tells us about its history, main attractions and plans for the future. This is a must-see place of any pigeon fancier!
https://www.theamericanpigeonmuseum.org/
A simple breakdown of the first ever Pigeonpalooza event and how to make sure you make the next one in 2026.
Long time Breeder of French Mondain Pigeons Laura Mills comes on the show and shares with the listeners all about this very beautiful breed as well as some helpful tips on breeding, showing and more.
List of competition results, shout outs and upcoming shows.
To have your show, competition results or shout outs read off on air during the next Word On the Wire Episode send an email to:
staff@pigeonpod.com
Lifelong long distance pigeon racer John Fincel comes on the show to share with the listeners about his passion of long-distance pigeon racing giving us a lifetimes worth of advice and tips.
Long time pigeon racer Bill Weima comes on the show to talk about the dos and don'ts of a racing pigeon loft and some other tips to keep in mind during your design process.
Superior Master Breeder and Judge of the West of England Tumbler Breed Brian McCormick speaks with us on the finer points about this breed when it comes to judging as well as his loft management and loft setup uses for breeding them.
Lifelong Pigeon fancier and longtime Race Advisor and Pigeon Conveyer Dom McCoy gives us an inside look into the operations of large-scale pigeon convoys and transports.
Tom and Tyler Pantley are the father son duo who teamed up to start their own One Loft Race. They share how background with racing pigeons plays a big role in how they manage their OLR as well as some great stories that go along with starting your own OLR.
List of competition results, shout outs and upcoming shows.
To have your show, competition results or shout outs read off on air during the next Word On the Wire Episode send an email to:
staff@pigeonpod.om