 The earliest known records of vinkeniers are from 1596 (with some sources advocating a slightly earlier 1593 origin) with Flemish merchants competing.By the late nineteenth century, vinkenzetting's popularity had diminished significantly, but it saw a resurgence after the First World War.As of 2007, it was estimated that there are over 13,000 "vinkeniers" breeding 10,000 birds every year.