TIP: Click the   Video tab to see this activity in action

Hello, there seems to be a problem, you have either not got java enabled, or you do not have the latest Flash player installed. Please click here to install the latest player, once complete, close that window and refresh this page.

Popinjay or Popingo (painted bird) is a shooting sport that can be performed with either rifles or archery equipment. The object of popinjay is to knock artificial birds off their perches, which are located on top of a 90-foot mast.

Popularity
The archery form of Popinjay is a popular sport in Belgium and to a lesser extent the UK. Whereas the rifle version is popular in Denmark and Scotland. Popinjay can also be shot horizontally rather than vertically, although this is even less common.

Location
Popinjay is an outdoor activity.

Ability
It is advisable to become proficient at another form of archery such as target archery before attempting Popinjay.

Description
The object of popinjay is to knock artificial birds off their perches. The perches are cross-pieces on top of a 90-foot (27 m) mast. The archer stands near the base of the mast and shoots arrows upwards at the birds.
Ocasionally horizontal shoots are held in which the archers shoot horizontally at an angled indoor "perch" (or "rack") from a distance of 65 feet (19.8 m).

Dedication
The Festival of Popinjay is an old British tradition held on the first Sunday in May. On this day, a figure of a popinjay (an artificial bird clothed in brightly coloured feathers) is suspended from a pole and used as a shooting target. The man whose arrow severs the string being used to suspend the bird can claim the title "Captain Popinjay" for the rest of the day.

Closely Related Activities
Clout Archery 676, Target Archery 15, Field Archery 14, Flight Archery 987, Kyudo 1012, Archery Golf 998, Crossbow 165, Mounted archery 708.

Air Gun 525, Pigeon shooting 528, Target Shooting 531, Rifle Shooting 530, Clay Pigeon Shooting 526.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

Please be advised that this record has not necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information. The information and images for this activity are supplied by the general public, Please contact us if there is a breach of copyright or you wish to improve the data.