Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

5 crazy facts about pigeon training you probably don’t know

Rebekkah Adams
By

You might think wistfully back to the extinct yet still elegant passenger pigeon that once swarmed the forests of North America. Yet we still have its distant cousin the homing pigeon among us, and it has a number of unique skills. For over 5,000 years, these birds have carried messages, including wartime communications, Olympic results, and police mail. If you’re lucky enough to have one (or are just interested in pigeon sports), check out these five facts about how to train homing pigeons.

Flock of homing pigeons flying
Image used with permission by copyright holder

They make maps in their brains

Common wisdom has held that birds use magnetic fields to find their way home during migration, and these directionally smart animals may do something similar. However, sound waves and landmark recognition might play parts as well in their instincts. Regardless, pigeons have an innate sense of where home is and what is around it. Because their minds have a detailed view of routes, they can even learn multiple go-between locations, like a nest and a feeding spot. You’ll need a GPS, but your little bird will use his ancestral intuition to take him home.

Recommended Videos

Pigeons can go more than 100 miles

In fact, competitive birds in races go for hundreds of miles per day. You should start small, though. When pigeon training, you’ll want to begin with just a mile trip and work your way up to your goal. Carefully determine your location, or both locations if you’re doing a journey, and make sure they are good. You should take into account any hazards along the way and confirm your bird will be as safe as possible. For example, you wouldn’t put his nest next to an angry den of coyotes or his loft alongside a piece of barbed wire. 

This bird can carry 10% of its body weight

Or about 1.5 ounces in total. You’ll need something to fasten your letter or tiny package onto your avian, too, so take that into account when you design the setup. Many owners choose to give their pigeons little backpacks to hold on to the message. While fabric is light, it doesn’t always hold up against the elements, so you should look into metal tubes, which are popular as well. The best news: Environmentalists have been adding lightweight sensors to pigeon packs to get vital info on climate change. 

White homing pigeon being held by his owner
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You might see them at weddings

Most homing pigeons look like … well pigeons. You’ll recognize their grayish feathers with a touch of iridescent green if you’ve ever seen the street variety. However, these birds are special in that they come in many shades. You can find slate-gray, silver-striped, and amber-barred homers that each have a slightly different look. But the most attractive pigeon award has to go to the all-white variety. Because they can get back all on their own, pigeons often grace weddings. Don’t worry, they aren’t imposters: Doves and pigeons are really the same thing. Before getting your own set, think carefully about which colors you want, though that won’t make much difference in the training part. 

These guys start young

As with other animal instruction, you want to get the training on the calendar early in their lives for the most impact. Typically, you’ll begin at about 6 weeks and set up a strict schedule right away. Just like you, it’s best if your bird knows when he’ll be out in the field learning his craft. Of course, you need to give him a good reason to come home in the first place, and reward systems work best. He’ll skip breakfast in the morning as you take him out to his spot, then fly home quickly, anticipating his snack. Make sure it’s waiting there even if you aren’t and carefully hydrate your bird. You don’t want him getting too thirsty (or hungry), since that will be detrimental to his health. 

In addition to the fun part, you need to keep up your pet’s coop since he’ll spend a lot of time in there when you aren’t out training. You want a sturdy and safe loft that allows the whole flock to enter after a long trip but does not allow them to sneak out. And you definitely need to keep everything else out, too. Birds require lots of space to work out and stay in shape for the big excursions. Lastly, set up a bunch of perches along with somewhere to nest if you have a mated pair or are hoping to get one. You might even wind up with a whole new batch of homing pigeons ready to follow in their parents’ wingbeats. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
5 surprising poodle facts that will have you rethinking breed stereotypes
These 5 poodle facts prove you can't judge a pup by their build
a brown poodle sitting by the window

Poodles have something of an aristocratic and even cat-like reputation in the dog world. Part of that is due to their appearance.
There are three types of poodles: standard (over 15 inches tall), miniature (up to 15 inches tall), and toy (up to 10 inches tall). Each has curly fur and a proud posture. When they walk, it almost looks like they’re sticking their long snouts slightly upright — but maybe that’s just our imagination.
Don’t judge a book by its cover, though. There’s so much more to poodles than meets the eye, and many of them are nothing like uppity Leonard from The Secret Life of Pets. Poodles tend to be agile, intelligent, and eager to please their pet parents.
These poodle facts will have you forgetting about old stereotypes and falling tail over paw for this beautiful breed.

Are poodles aggressive? Are they mean? 
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says poodles are naturally vigilant, so they can be very protective of their humans. This quality makes the poodle an excellent watchdog. It doesn’t mean poodles are aggressive, though. Typically, they are open to strangers and adaptable.
Experts say poodles can be a bit anxious and fearful. Some may display aggressive behavior when they’re scared—just like humans. Poodles are also proud creatures, which can sometimes cause them to want to exert dominance over other pups at the dog park, or even over other people. This behavior can also come off as aggressive. Proper training and socialization can help poodles thrive in social situations. There are aggressive dogs in any breed, and help is available. A vet can give you pointers.

Read more
5 cool St. Bernard facts you probably didn’t know
5 interesting facts about St. Bernards you've never heard
Side profile of a St. Bernard smiling while standing outdoors.

When we think of St. Bernards, the first image that springs to mind is a massive dog hauling a cask of brandy up a steep, snow-covered mountain. As it turns out, this hardy breed actually spent very little time transporting alcohol through treacherous mountain passes. But that doesn't mean the St. Bernard isn't a heroic breed. With their long history of working with monks in the Alps, these gentle giants rightfully earned their reputation as fearless rescue dogs. So, why are St. Bernards so often depicted with barrels strapped across their chests? We'll unpack that myth and share four other interesting St. Bernard facts you've probably never heard before.

1. St. Bernards weren't always called St. Bernards
We think of St. Bernards as a Swiss breed now, but many believe their ancestors were actually brought to Switzerland by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago. The breed probably came about when Molossers, a large breed similar to modern-day mastiffs, mated with local mountain breeds. These tremendous dogs were known as Talhund (which means "valley dog") or Bauernhund (meaning "farm dog"). In 1124, a monk named Bernard de Menthon was canonized as a saint, and a mountain pass he worked to restore was named in his honor. Several hundred years later, St. Bernards were brought to the St. Bernard Pass hospice to provide protection, companionship, and rescue stranded travelers, and the name stuck.
2. Their coats are a lot more low maintenance than you think
Have you ever wondered why some St. Bernards have long fur, and others have shorter coats? As it turns out, there's a good reason for the difference. Concerned for the health of their loyal companions during the harsh winter months, monks once crossbred St. Bernards with Newfoundlands to give them longer, thicker coats. Unfortunately, their long coats trapped the ice and snow, making them more miserable than ever. Whether your St. Bernard has a short or long coat, you don't need to worry about breaking the bank on grooming expenses. The St. Bernard has an oily coat, perfect for keeping out water, so you won't have to bathe your pup too often. In fact, you shouldn't bathe your dog more than once a week, and they can go as long as eight weeks without a bath. However, they will need frequent brushing to prevent their coat from matting.

Read more
Is a Pomsky a good family dog? What you need to know about this pint-sized mixed breed
How to know if a Pomsky is the right dog for your family
Adult pomsky in park.

The Pomsky is one of the newest and most popular designer dog breeds, largely thanks to the sharing of puppy photos and videos on social media. With their fluffy double coats, pricked ears, and almond-shaped eyes, it’s easy to see how people fall in love with these fluffballs. However, puppies grow into adult dogs, and it’s important to know what to expect when choosing the right dog for the family. So, is a Pomsky-- the result of breeding a female Siberian husky with a male Pomeranian --a good family dog? Here’s everything you need to know about the breed (aside from how cute they are, of course).
How big will a Pomsky get?
According to the Pomsky Club of America (PCA), reputable breeders cannot guarantee the size of a full-grown Pomsky. They tend to range from "small to medium," which varies from 15 to 25 pounds. Breed experts at the PCA say that, as they continue to perfect the breed lines, they are seeing larger numbers of smaller puppies per litter.

What will an adult Pomsky look like? How big do these dogs tend to get when full-grown?
Pomskies have a Husky-like appearance,  including the coloring and markings of the Husky, but the fluffy coat of the Pomeranian. Their coats can be a mixture of black, white, brown, and gray, while their eyes can be blue, brown, or a combination of the two. According to experts at the International Pomsky Association (IPA), this breed always has a double coat that can vary in length. Breeders say it's impossible to predict in puppyhood which type of coat a dog has inherited.

Read more