Pigeon Racing terminology can be a bit confusing to start with so here are a few pigeon racing terms to get you started. I will add to the list as I think of other terms used, so please be patient with me.
Please note: Some of the terms shown below can vary slightly from club to club, area to area and from country to country.
If you are thinking of starting pigeon racing then the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA) has a help page on getting started. Click Here
Additionally, why not get in touch with a racing pigeon club close to you (there will probably be one) and talk to them. My experience has been that usually there will be members who will only be too happy to take you under their wing (pardon the pun) and guide you. Club locations can also be found on the RPRA site using the link above.
| Pigeon Racing Term | Plain Speak Equivalent |
|---|---|
| A Cock / Cock Bird | Male Racing Pigeon |
| A Hen / Hen Bird | Female Racing Pigeon |
| A Squeaker | A Baby Racing Pigeon |
| A Yearling | A Racing Pigeon Over 1 Year Old But Under 2 Years Old |
| An Old Bird | Generally A Racing Pigeon Over 2 Years Old (Can sometimes include Yearlings) |
| The Loft | The place (often a large wooden or brick purpose built shed) where a pigeon racer houses the racing pigeons |
| Pigeon club | A club, with members, that organises pigeon races and and handles club administration. Usually consists of a committee voted in by the club’s members.
Pigeon club can also be used as a broad verbal description of the venue where members meet – ” I am going to pigeon club “ |
| RPRA | The Royal Pigeon Racing Association |
| NFC | National Flying Club |
| BICC | British International Championship Club |
| Race Rubbered, Rubbered, Rubber Ring, Rubber. | A rubber ring placed on the pigeon’s leg at the point of being sent to a race.
The ‘rubber’ is printed with an inner and outer number. The outer number is recorded by the club and the inner number is hidden from view. This rubber is removed from the pigeon’s leg, by the pigeon fancier, when it returns from a race and is placed inside a thimble, put into the clock and locked in until clock reading. The outer number is then checked against the club’s records, the inner number then revealed and paired to it. The rubber helps to prevent cheating. Rubbers have largely been phased out due to the introduction of an Electronic Timing System (ETS) but are still often used in conjunction. |
| ETS | Electronic Timing Sytem
A system comprising an electronic pigeon clock connected to a pad that that an RFID rung pigeon walks over upon returning from a race and entering to the loft. The pad completes a circuit with the ring thereby the pigeon’s ID plus an encrypted number is able to be read and recorded in the clock. The clock is then read at the club via connection to an electronic Club Master Computer and the race results formulated. |
