A ground-performing roller that cannot fly — instead it somersaults backward along the ground, rolling end over end for distance. Competitions measure how far the bird rolls across the floor or lawn.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Pair loft pen
Loft pen 4 × 4 × 6 ft + outdoor flight
Parlor Rollers are flightless ground-tumblers, so floor area matters more than height. A solid, dry, draft-free pen with non-slip footing, one nest box per pair, and a short outdoor pen for sun and exercise. They cannot escape to a perch, so the loft must be totally predator-proof.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Sectioned ground loft
30 sq ft loft floor + 40 sq ft predator-safe yard
Roomy ground-level pen with separation for breeding pairs, low perches optional, dust bath, and a secure outdoor yard with deep bedding. Practice strip for tumbling lets youngsters learn without injury.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Large ground loft + tumbling lane
60+ sq ft loft + 100 sq ft yard with tumbling strip
Generous ground loft attached to a covered turf or carpet strip where birds can perform full backward somersaults safely. Low stocking density, ample bathing, and protection from raptors above are all essential for this unique flightless tumbler.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Egg
Birds develop inside a hard-shelled egg incubated by the parent(s). Egg size, shell color, and clutch size vary by species; the embryo develops over days to weeks before hatching.
Photo coming soon
Hatchling / Chick
Hatchlings are either altricial — naked, blind, and dependent on parents (typical of parrots and songbirds) — or precocial — downy, mobile, and self-feeding soon after hatching (typical of poultry and waterfowl). Down gives way to the first feathers.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile / Fledgling
Fledglings grow in their juvenile plumage and begin to fly and feed themselves, though they may still beg from parents at first. Juvenile feathering is often duller than the adult and is replaced as the bird matures.
Adult
Adults attain full body size and mature plumage, and are capable of breeding. Many species show distinct adult coloration, and in sexually dimorphic birds males and females differ in plumage, size, or markings.
(c) Misha Zitser, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) via iNaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/285409360
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Keep in a clean, dry **loft or aviary** with secure, predator-proof flooring; because these birds cannot fly, they need protection from cats, rats and birds of prey and cannot escape danger. Provide low perches and easy access to nest boxes, food and water at floor level. A smooth, open floor or grass strip is used for practice and competition.
Diet
Standard pigeon grain mixture with grit, oyster shell and minerals available at all times, offered at floor level since birds cannot fly up to elevated feeders. Clean water in low founts. Vitamin/probiotic support during moult and breeding.
Behavior & temperament
When startled or excited, the bird throws itself into continuous backward somersaults along the ground, rolling for distance. Kept purely for this **ground-rolling performance/novelty**, not for flight or show conformation. Otherwise calm and tame in the loft.
Health
This is an exaggerated, flightless trait with clear welfare implications: the inability to fly leaves the bird defenceless against predators and unable to feed naturally in some settings, and intense rolling can cause stress, disorientation and physical knocks. Birds must be protected and managed by the keeper. Usual pigeon diseases (canker, coccidiosis, worms, respiratory) also apply.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Provide an entirely predator-proof, ground-level housing setup — never expect these birds to free-fly or escape danger. Keep practice surfaces clear of hazards. Don't over-work birds in rolling sessions, and rest any bird showing distress. Place food, water and nests low and accessible. Maintain routine canker/worm prevention.
