Damn, you saw it too. It is! Isn't it the most extraordinary bird-related activity going?
Finching
In some areas of Western Belgium, finching (also called finch singing contests or finch song contests or vinkenzetting) is a popular sport. In a finching contest, a number of cages each housing a male finch are lined up, usually along a street. Every time the bird sings its song (which should be the correct tune!) this is marked with a chalk stripe on a wooden stick, and the bird singing its song the most times during one hour wins the contest.
Vinkenzetting, from the Dutch for finch-sitting, is a traditional sport played primarily in the Flemish regions of Belgium. Participants sit in front of caged finches and count how many times each finch sings a particular birdsong (most often transcribed as suskewiet).
The oldest known records of vinkenzetting are from 1593; however, it is believed to be considerably older, as the 1593 records were in a context implying that any reader would already be familiar with it.
By the late nineteenth century, vinkenzetting's popularity had diminished significantly; however, it saw a resurgence after the First World War, largely because of the large number of newly-blinded veterans who considered themselves unable to participate in other sports. As of 2006, it is estimated that there are over 13000 vinkenier, or "finch-holders".
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ReplyDeleteIs this the chaffinch singing contest that was on the Hairy Biker's TV program the other night? It was so bizarre I felt sure it must be a hoax.
ReplyDeleteDamn, you saw it too. It is! Isn't it the most extraordinary bird-related activity going?
ReplyDeleteFinching
In some areas of Western Belgium, finching (also called finch singing contests or finch song contests or vinkenzetting) is a popular sport. In a finching contest, a number of cages each housing a male finch are lined up, usually along a street. Every time the bird sings its song (which should be the correct tune!) this is marked with a chalk stripe on a wooden stick, and the bird singing its song the most times during one hour wins the contest.
Vinkenzetting, from the Dutch for finch-sitting, is a traditional sport played primarily in the Flemish regions of Belgium. Participants sit in front of caged finches and count how many times each finch sings a particular birdsong (most often transcribed as suskewiet).
The oldest known records of vinkenzetting are from 1593; however, it is believed to be considerably older, as the 1593 records were in a context implying that any reader would already be familiar with it.
By the late nineteenth century, vinkenzetting's popularity had diminished significantly; however, it saw a resurgence after the First World War, largely because of the large number of newly-blinded veterans who considered themselves unable to participate in other sports. As of 2006, it is estimated that there are over 13000 vinkenier, or "finch-holders".
And here I thought those were starter boxes for a rat race!
ReplyDeleteno, they are showing off their western grey phase speckled nothawks
ReplyDeletewho are sitting on top of the boxes
Where is the drinking game part? A drink every time the bird sings would make this more interesting. Has vinkenzetting been cleaned up for television?
ReplyDeleteI thought they were apprentice snake charmers.
ReplyDelete