* Pigeon Racing:

Pigeon racing is a classed as a sport, whereby the birds are raced and their distance is recorded. The distance of which they fly is measured in meters per minute or yards per minute.

There are many types of Champion Racing Pigeons.

* Homing Pigeons:

These pigeons are able to navigate their way home after being released from distances hundreds of miles from home. Before a race a rubber ring is placed on the birds foot, this is then noted by an official, therefore the time of arrival and average speed the bird has covered can be recorded using a timing system.

Homing Pigeons can be raised within a loft, the birds should have access inside and out. The cage to the outside must be made of wire so that the pigeons cannot fly away. Pigeons should be be fed twice a day with a mixture of pellets and grains, and ample water must be provided.

Pigeons only have one mate and then mate for life.

Pigeons are relatively easy to look after and racing pigeons can be great fun.

* Carrier Pigeons:

Carrier Pigeons were used to transport messages, e.g. radio transmissions: and were used for ferrying messages from point to point. There were also used in the war at the frontline to carry status reports back to headquarters.

The Persians and Egyptians first used carrier pigeons 3000 years ago.

* Lost Birds:

Sometimes pigeons become disoriented when racing and they can either get tired or be overcome by poor weather conditions. They can land anywhere in your back yard or garden or possibly in other lofts.

A racing pigeon will have a ring on one leg of which is their identification ring; when reporting a lost bird you will need to provide all the information on this ring.

* How do pigeons found their way home? No one is exactly sure how and why but here are some possibilities:

Magnetic Navigation

Smell & Hearing

Astronomical Navigation.

* Wild Pigeons:

Wild pigeons can be considered as a pest, and the number of wild pigeons can get out of control. An adult feral pigeon is about 20 cm in size, and can be a potential source of disease to public health.

Their nests are in or on buildings, bridges, alley ways, and tend to breed between March and July although they can breed at anytime throughout the year.

Their feces droppings can be a nuisance and cause pavements, stairs to be slippery and unsave.

Ways to control these types of birds:

Do not feed them

Remove refuse waste properly

Avoiding dropping food

Protect buildings

Report to your local Pest Control Services.