As I walked by a huge flock of pigeons, all at once they took flight with power and sync. But what I was suddenly curious about was why there are so many of them in every city in the world?
And by the way, when you say pigeon, be specific! There are over 300 species.
Woody Allen famously defined them as “rats with wings” in his movie Stardust Memories, though It was originally coined by Thomas Hoving, New York City’s parks commissioner, in 1966. The movie, however, spread the negative rap on pigeons like fire. They were ״officially״ bullying parasites who spread diseases.
Thankfully there are many who, despite the gloomy pigeon outlook, still spread bread crumbs in their town square. Washington square - NYC, Trafalgar Square - London, Melbourne/Sydney - Australia, Buenos Aires - Argentina, Mumbai - India…the list goes on.
Makes you think: these guys have taken over the world!
Except for the passenger pigeon who went from their millions to extinct within 40 years!
Why these massive numbers? Why pigeons, of all species? And do they really deserve Woody Allen’s marque of infamy?
Here are a few facts I learned.
And maybe after you read them…
You might, just like me, change your mind.
Pigeons were our first “text messages.”
They have an incredible sense of direction called “homing” i.e., knowing where “home” is from a remarkable distance. They can find their nests from thousands of miles away to which they can fly at the speed of 50-90 MPH.
No one knows exactly how pigeons honed homing. There are only surmises.
According to the researches at the PNAS, homing pigeons have their own compass which relates to the sun. The position and angle of the sun are basically their GPS. They might also have their own mapping system.
Another theory is magnetoreception. Pigeons use the earth’s magnetic fields as their guidance. Researchers discovered that pigeons have a concentration of iron particles in their beaks – which aid them in detecting these magnetic fields.
Other theories suggest low frequencies of infrasound (low frequency sound waves) which are created by pretty much everything – including the earth’s crust. (The outer shell of the planet.)
Humans are unable to hear these sounds, but you know who can? Yup. Pigeons. Pigeons listen to these sounds until the hear the infrasound of their very own nest – which grows louder the closer they get home. They might be recognizing the sounds of various milestones – like humans know to “take a left” at certain landmarks such as roads, railway lines and rivers.
10,000 years ago, way before the first mailman inserted the first letter into a mailbox, ancient Egyptians discovered these flyers homing abilities and utilized it to their advantage. They would train the pigeons by taking them few miles away from home and letting them fly back to their nests. They would then take the pigeons even further from their nests and see them, again, finding home. These pigeons eventually made it from over a thousand miles away, the same distance as Dallas, TX is to Cancun, Mexico.
My partner and I got lost in the jungles of Thailand, where venomous snakes, leopards and elephants roam free. As it got darker, we panicked and were not sure if to walk back into the night in the same route we started with, or carry on. We chose to carry on and luckily, within a few hundred feet, accidentally discovered we were close to the main road. We sighed in such relief!
Pigeons have definitely evolved better than us with their sense of direction.
In the end - it is not clear how pigeons navigate their homing skills, we can only assume that they are just super cool for having these incredible powers.
Arrived early and in perfect condition. I have 8 favorites.
The Alexander Hansenne is indeed a remarkable Racing Pigeon Strain. Dr Willaim Anderson in his book "The Sport of Racing Pigeons" 1947 writes extensively about this outstanding Fancier. I luck to have an original copy of the book. Need i say i myself have of the Bronze chequers in my stock loft Well wishes to you
Hello Dale, Donnie & Pam
Firstly, I would like to thank Dale for his persistence yesterday. Both
Linda and I were so sorry that your crossing was so difficult.
Originally, you texted me that you would wait for us---so of course we
would wait for you!!
We had a very pleasant return home with clear roads etc. But were
extremely tired and went to bed early!! I am extremely happy with the
selection of birds you sent even the replacement for 20512.
It was a pleasure dealing with the Zehr family. I spent time with the
birds in the garage last night and today speaking "Zehr Sion" to them.
Think they understood---at least until they learn "Trini Sion". Lol!!!
Thank you all once again.
Wishing you all and your families a very Happy Holiday Season!!!
Dave and Linda
The 3 birds arrived this morning in Aurora, Colorado safe and sound. Thanks. We'll do business again!!
Hello. We received the two boxes today with the four Hansenne pigeons. Arrived in excellent condition.
She is SOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Thank you guys for looking out for me. Can’t say enough about how much I love the bird and birds you have sent me.
Thank you so much, i got the bird! He's so beautiful, pin tail apple body, nice wing :)
Hello there, My name is Mike and live in Az, I had racing pigeons when I was young and now Im not young haha 61, Semi retired and determined to move to a place where I can fly birds again, want to get my grandkids involved. Anyway as a kid I flew some Sions and really enjoyed your website. When Im ready would love to get a few Sions again and see how they do. Any advice for an old newbie? lol
Hey Donnie, Saw your Birds on Ipigeon and must say, those are some Beautiful Heitzmans. They are very true to what I called the real thing. Beautiful Hansennes as well. Take Care, Chuck
Hi
I have placed the pigeon recieved from you recently in a priority express shipment back to you in same box recieved. Bird was beautiful and healthy but we realized it’s nature is such that it needs to fly and be a racing pigeon. We can’t offer that life to it and realize it was a mistake to try this based on our situation
Bird has had not been outside and has been confined indoors in isolation since recieved.
Please give it the home it deserves.
Appreciate the care you took getting it to us!!!
Need some color on my team. Had some sion couple years ago when i had a partner who sick and could not care for his own birds. He liked sions so i bought some from you on pigeonauction.com. We alot of fun his sions against my team .He has since past on. His family called me and thanked me for letting fly with me he really looked forward race day. HE WON EVERY WEEK
Path: https://www.clayhavenfarms.com/pigeons/for-sale
Thank you guys so much for allowing me the opportunity to love these birds.
