Vinkensport
Competitive animal sport involving chaffinches
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Key Takeaways
- Vinkensport (Dutch for "finch sport" ) is a competitive animal sport in which male common chaffinches are made to compete for the highest number of bird calls in an hour.
- It is primarily active in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium.
- As of 2007, it was estimated that there are over 13,000 enthusiasts, called vinkeniers ("finchers"), breeding 10,000 birds every year.
- 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.
- A timekeeper begins and ends the contest with a red flag.
Vinkensport (Dutch for "finch sport") is a competitive animal sport in which male common chaffinches are made to compete for the highest number of bird calls in an hour. Also called vinkenzetting ("finch sitting"). It is primarily active in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium.
Vinkensport traces its origins to competitions held by Flemish merchants in 1596, and is considered part of traditional Flemish culture. As of 2007, it was estimated that there are over 13,000 enthusiasts, called vinkeniers ("finchers"), breeding 10,000 birds every year. Animal rights activists oppose the sport.
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. 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 tally mark in chalk is made on a long wooden stick. The bird singing its song the most times during one hour wins the contest. Champion finches regularly sing hundreds of calls in contests.
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