Differences

[Adana Man]

Hi could anyone tell me the difference between the Dolapci and the Kosovo? ive been reading and reading but cant seem to find the info cheers.
Steve...

[Kurt Gürsu]

Hi Steve,
There are very few but significant differences between the two breeds.
I also asked couple of friends who keep both breeds to let me know their thoughts but they are not very active on the internet.
Once they write back, I will post their thoughts here also.

Basically, Kosovo or Kosova was created as a mix of Dolapcı and Oriental Roller.
Some say, there is a little bit of Kelebek in the breed also but I am not sure.

As far as looks, they are extremely similar to each other.
The only physical difference you will see is the extra tail feathers in Kosova and the oilgland, though there are some with out it also.

In the air they are also very similar with their performance.
However, there are 2 significant differences:
First one is the 9 faulty moves for Dolapcı are not being considered as faults in Kosova.
The second one is the long spin dive of the Kosova.
For this reason alone it gained some interest in Turkey and quiet a few birds were imported to the Burdur and Isparta area.
Especially the final spin can be 200-300 yards.
Anyway, this description caused all the interest which ended up being quiet a bit of disappointment.
Not because the birds don't do what is being said about them but that long spin described for Kosova or Pristine is not what we call a spin but a roll.
On top of it, crashing is considered to be a major fault back home for any breed including rollers and it is almost prized for Kosova.
Plus we do not consider falling to be diving to be honest.
It is hard to explain but I'll put a few Kosova videos here so you can see what I am talking about.

[Kurt Gürsu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sbImtxpl4k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3As_hUq-UBw&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os_1hFnOkjM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0I5Xqm9MTQ&NR=1

[Kurt Gürsu]

To put what I mean by spin in perspective, here are a few Makedon videos.
Not as fast and long as Muffed Greed Duneks or quick and tight with the baseball center of Turkish Dönek but excellent spins for Makedon.
Since Makedons have the slowest and the clearest of the spins they are probably the best example when trying to show the difference between a roll and a spin.
Then again any one who kept a roller at one time will be able to tell the difference at first sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfC1Mrs1gMA&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0VDOKuCpDA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePQvcdwITLw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub0ceWnHmO8

This one is a little different style, what we call a diving from noze, vs the previous ones which we call the tummy spinners.
However, it probably crashed at the end of the dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgskv2rfKk

[Kurt Gürsu]

I can't be too sure but it seems like a muffed dunek.
Dive is a bit rugget but it will give the idea until someone runs into a good video somewhere.
The rough performance might not be the birds fault to be honest.
The dropper is being shown from the opposite side of the bird's natural spin side and the dropper is shown a few second too late.
Also it doesn't help the fact the dropper is shown to the back of the bird instead of the front.
Anyway, the bird seems to be better then it's keeper unfortunately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J2GEL9OUCE

[Adana Man]

Very interesting Kurt thanks. What people get from birds crashing to the ground beats me? but if thats what they like fair play.
My birds dive with wings outstreched spiralling like crashing airplanes but upto date ive had no casualtys. This year will be quite entertaining i hope as ive had the Dolpaci out a few times now and once the light nights and warmer weather comes they will be flown every night weather permitting. I've noticed the birds have got better with maturity and seem a lot faster in the drop than last year. Do they get better with age? Roll on the summer
Regards.
Steve...

[Kurt Gürsu]

My birds dive with wings outstreched spiralling like crashing airplanes

Classic Dolapcı performance.

i hope as ive had the Dolpaci out a few times now and once the light nights and warmer weather comes they will be flown every night weather permitting.

They also perform better when it is a bit windy.
Hope you get to have a decent flight season this year.

I've noticed the birds have got better with maturity and seem a lot faster in the drop than last year. Do they get better with age?

Yes. Especially when they are around 2 years old.