As they are domesticated they survive better than most wild birds …
As I write this article I can see a stray racing pigeon which has decided to roost on one of the windows close to my study, from time to time they get brought to the clinic and as they are domesticated they survive better than most wild birds when they are nursed. If they are injured there is very little hope for them despite surgery for broken wings etc. as in my experience their owner are usually only interested in birds which will be able to compete 100% in future races.
Sometimes they are just lost due to fatigue and de-hydration or other reasons, if this is the case you should keep it for a few days in an area protected from cats and other predators, give it food such as corn, rice, lentils, or bespoke pigeon food plus of course water. After a couple of day’s rest an uninjured bird will usually recover enough to continue on its way home. It is best to release the bird some miles away from where you have kept it for obvious reasons!
If you are able to handle the bird stretch out the wing and have a look underneath there may be a phone number visible there which has been put on with an ink stamp. You can then phone the owner who may be able to arrange the return of the bird via a repatriation scheme where lost birds are returned to the owners by approved carriers. These carriers have vehicles kitted out to transport the birds properly and birds dispatched one day are back with their owners the following day.
Of course I know the pigeon on my window sill is a racing pigeon as it has a ring on its leg, racing birds may carry two rings one is a rubber race ring and is put onto the bird only when it is racing. The second ring contains the bird’s unique identification number and is usually made of metal and covered with plastic, different colours being used for different years. If you can handle the bird and read the ring you can try and locate the owner by contacting the Royal Pigeon Racing Association on 01452 713529.
How do pigeons find their way home? This of course is the most interesting feature of these remarkable birds. There have been various theories, some believe they follow the earth’s magnetic fields, others that they navigate via the sun or stars and have an inbuilt map, and still others think that they follow natural features such as rivers and the coastline. This last theory may have some credibility according to Prof Tim Guilford, reader in animal behaviour at Oxford University’s Department of Zoology. His team carried out dozens of tests with pigeons in Oxfordshire, releasing them between 10 and 20 miles from their lofts, each with a tiny GPS tracking device attached to their backs. Matching their routes, they found most flew straight down the A34 Oxford bypass.
As for me I have no idea how they do it, they just do, end of story!!
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