The homing pigeons are a diversity of the domestic pigeons.

Homing Pigeon

Homing pigeons are derived from Columba Livia Domestica or the Rock Pigeon. They are bred selectively so that they can find their way home even when return they come from very far distances.

The wild breed of the homing pigeon which is the rock pigeon has a natural ability or instinct to return to its nest and its mate. Birds of this breed can find their way home even when they are carried to far distances form their origin. They have the natural ability to return to their own nest which is called the homing ability.

The Homing Pigeons Used as Carriers of Messages

Homing pigeons used as carrier pigeons are utilized to carry messages to far places. Carrier homing pigeons have been used over the years to send individual important messages when telecommunication towers were not yet around.

Homing Pigeons as an Important Part of Our History

Homing pigeons are an important part of our history. They were believed to have been used first by the ancient Egyptians. It is a staggering 3,000 years ago when these birds were used by this civilization. The ancient Greeks have used them also to proclaim the Olympics winners.

In Baghdad, homing pigeons were used as messengers almost 1150 years ago. Later, they were also used by Geng Khan to send out messages across the miles. P Tafur of Spain has seen homing pigeons for the first time and noticed that these birds were having round trips.

In the Republic of Genoa, a system of watchtower posts was equipped with homing pigeon in the Mediterranean Sea.

Training Homing Pigeons

Fly Homing Pigeons, Fly

Homing pigeons can fly very far distances. Some of the longest flights were recorded as far as 1800 kilometers in distances. That is over 1,118 miles of flight by the homing pigeons. Those that are used for competitions fly as fast as 80 kilometers per hour- their average speed for almost 500 miles in distance. Record breakers have attained speeds of around 110 miles per hour over a distance of 100 miles.

In the modern era, the homing pigeons were used by the Reuters to deliver news. A group of almost 45 birds were used to send the stock prices across Aachen and Brussels. If you are familiar with the battle of Waterloo, the outcome of this war was delivered by homing pigeons to England.

During the Franco Prussia war, homing pigeons were used to carry messages and mails between the free Paris and the captured French territory. It is believed that the first postal service in the world is delivered by a homing pigeon.

In the 21^st century, they were still on job by some police agencies to give out emergency messages especially during disasters. When emergencies occur, communication lines may be disabled. And the most useful communication possible is by deploying homing pigeons.