Ore. pigeon lovers charged with killing hawks, falcons

09:39 AM PDT on Friday, May 25, 2007

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Pigeon fanciers in three states were accused of shooting, clubbing and gassing federally protected hawks and falcons, authorities said Thursday.

A 14-month undercover investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led to charges being filed against a Texas man on Wednesday, three Oregon men on Monday and seven Southern California men earlier this month.

The men were accused of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act by taking or attempting to take a protected bird. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in federal prison.

Six of the Californians were arrested on Wednesday, and the seventh surrendered Thursday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Johns said.

The men were associated with clubs for enthusiasts of Birmingham roller pigeons, which because of a genetic defect do backward flips while in flight and make attractive prey for hawks and falcons.

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"This is a group of hobbyists who selectively inbred a genetic defect that attracts predators," then seemed to "feel entitled ... to engage in the wholesale slaughter of these predators," Johns said.

Among those arrested was Juan Navarro, 44, of Los Angeles, president of the National Birmingham Roller Club. He was released on bond, authorities said.

Navarro told an undercover agent that he had killed one hawk or falcon a week, authorities said.

A call to Navarro's home seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Investigators estimated that roller pigeon groups in the Los Angeles area alone have killed as many as 2,000 hawks and falcons annually.

A San Bernardino man claimed he had filled a five-gallon bucket with talons cut from hawks he had killed, prosecutors said.