HOMING PIGEONS
Aves Columbiformes Columbidae Columba Livia

We no longer have pigeons. But a friend has many of them.
Please call Randy in Robbinsville, NC at 828-479-2805.
Many varieties available.

If you have found a lost pigeon, please visit the American Racing Pigeon Union.

 

 
Messenger Doves

 

Homing pigeons are a type of domesticated Rock Pigeon or Dove (Columba livia domestica) that was bred to find its way home over very long distances. These pigeons have an innate homing ability where it returns to it's home roost. Flights as long as 1,120 miles have been recorded. Their average flying speed over medium distances is around 30 miles per hour, but they can go as fast as 60 mph. They have been domesticated for thousands of years. They are also called racing pigeons and messenger pigeons.

In the photo to the left the bird on the left is a Blue Bar and the other two are white with some red.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Used Throughout History

 

In ancient times only kings, princes and noblemen were allowed to own homing pigeons. Up until the 13th century pigeons were used for communication between Iraq, Syria, and Persia (present day Iran). In the 19th century Christian monasteries used messenger pigeons to communicate between each other. In European warfare of the nineteenth century, as well as both World Wars, homing pigeons were used by the military on both sides to send messages.

In the photo to the left the bird on the top is a Red Checked and the other two at the bottom are a male and female pair of white with some red.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Modern Racing Pigeons

 

In various countries, different pigeon breeds formed the base from which fanciers developed their homing pigeons. The modern racing pigeon is therefore a hybrid and not a pure breed. Racing pigeons today are bred for beauty, great speed, and legendary endurance. Over the past 150 years racing doves have been bred to fly farther, faster and more frequently. Races range in distance from 100 miles to 600 miles, with 300 miles being the most popular distance.

In the photo above the bird on the left is a Red Checked and the two on the right are Blue Bars.

 

 

 

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