Vinkensport
Nicknames | vinkenzetting, finching |
---|---|
First played | 1596, Flanders |
Clubs | yes |
Characteristics | |
Contact | none |
Mixed-sex | yes |
Type | Animal sport |
Vinkensport (
Vinkensport traces its origins to competitions held by
Description
In a contest, a row of small cages, each housing a single male finch, is lined up approximately six feet apart along a street. The proximity of the cages increases the number of calls, as the birds sing for mates and to establish territory.[1] A timekeeper begins and ends the contest with a red flag.
Every time a bird sings a correct terminating flourish to their call—most often transcribed as susk-e-wiet—a
History and practices
The earliest known records of vinkeniers are from 1596 (with some sources advocating a slightly earlier 1593 origin) with Flemish merchants competing.
Vinkeniers use a variety of methods to increase the number of calls in their birds. Techniques to develop singing aptitude include
Some vinkeniers claim that finches from the different regions of Belgium sing in different
Caribbean and South American-based contests
Speed-singing contests for finches are also a common event in Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname and Brazil. The male finches are placed in cages on poles about one foot apart. The first finch to reach 50 songs wins. The illegal importation of these finches from immigrants of these countries has challenged authorities in New York City.[6][7]
Cheating incidents
As with other sports, vinkensport has had its cheating scandals, as well as accusations of artificial enhancement. One finch sang a record 1,278 susk-e-weits in one hour, and the owner was later accused of
Opposition to the sport
...Blinded ere yet a-wing
By the red-hot needle thou,
I stand and wonder how,
So zestfully thou canst sing!
Resenting not such wrong,
Thy grievous pain forgot,
Eternal dark thy lot,
Groping thy whole life long;
After that stab of fire;
Enjailed in pitiless wire...— The Blinded Bird Thomas Hardy[8]
Throughout much of its history, certain attributes of the sport have garnered criticism. Early proponents of the sport would
Modern
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Dan, Bilefsky (May 21, 2007). "One-Ounce Belgian Idols Vie for Most Tweets per Hour". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-05-23.
- ISBN 978-0-312-19873-2.
- ^ Liberman, Mark. "Dialect variation in the terminal flourishes of Flemish chaffinches". Language Log. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
- ^ Alström, P. & Ranft, R. 2003. The use of sounds in avian systematics, and the importance of bird sound archives. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club Supplement 123A: 114–135.
- ^ a b "Chaffinch". Science & Nature:Animals. BBC. Archived from the original on 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
- ^ Rueb, Emily S. (July 31, 2015). "Tiny Birds, Big Drama: Inside the World of the Birdmen of Queens". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ "Feds: Air Traveler Caught Trying To Smuggle 70 Birds Into U.S." www.thesmokinggun.com. December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7546-3973-2. pg. 193