How Do Homing Pigeons Find Their Way Home?
Homing pigeons have been used for over 3000 years, with the highest use in recent history being during World War I. They are still used in some remote areas and special conditions when electronic communication is not reliable or possible. Today they are raised mostly for personal enjoyment or for racing competitions to see how quickly they will return home.Homing pigeons are also known as racing pigeons especially when bred for competitive sport reasons. They are part of the order of birds known as Columbiformes. Columbidae is their family group and Columbia Livia or Rock pigeons, is the particular name given to homing pigeons.
Homing pigeons have an unusually strong natural instinct to return home, which researchers say are related to a combination of the use of sight, smell and an orientation with the earth’s magnetic fields. The unique navigational abilities that these pigeons have has been the subject of much debate and scientific research.
Posts
