How carrier pigeons know where to fly: how to train and average speed

Carrier pigeons appeared more than two thousand years ago. Such birds were used to deliver messages both in the Roman Empire and in the 20th century, during both world wars. Despite such a long history of interacting with humans, researchers still haven't figured out how carrier pigeons know where to fly. On this account, there are several assumptions that connect such opportunities with the structural features of the sensory organs and the brain.

Popular breeds

Carrier pigeons must meet the following characteristics:

strong and harmoniously built body with a developed chest and strong skeleton;
developed muscles and shoulder girdle;
flat back;
tight plumage;
long wings, narrow tail, bare legs;
having a home instinct;
stamina.

An important criterion is the presence of sharp vision. However, researchers have registered the fact that even blind pigeons are able to achieve the intended goal.

The following breeds correspond to the described characteristics:

English. It features a straight torso that provides good aerodynamic characteristics. The length of the bird reaches 46 centimeters. The English breed is distinguished by wrinkled eyelids and growths above and below the beak.
Belgian. They are characterized by body shape and appearance typical of carrier pigeons.
German. This breed has a compact body and a long neck. The bird is characterized by fast summer.
Russian postal. This breed is considered a reference among sports pigeons. The characteristic features of the bird include the tips of the wings rounded upwards, a sharp beak and elongated legs.
Czech. This breed is used to deliver mail over short distances. Due to the large eyes, growth on the beak and a number of other features, the bird is often brought to exhibitions.

When selecting a breed that is used to deliver mail, the ability to return home is taken into account. Such a bird, if it does not find the addressee, is always sent back.

History of pigeon mail

The first mention of the use of pigeons to deliver mail dates back to 45 BC. Both then and later, the bird sent mainly messages from the places of warfare. Large-scale breeding of carrier pigeons began in the 13th century in Egypt.

Over time, the bird began to be used to deliver correspondence in other countries. A serious contribution to the development of breeds was made by English, French and Belgian breeders. In the 19th century, competitions began among carrier pigeons. By that time, these birds began to be actively bred in Russia. But after the October Revolution, this direction was in decline. They returned to breeding carrier pigeons on the territory of the Soviet Union in the 30s.

During the Great Patriotic War, birds were more often used to deliver messages. Because of this, the number of pigeons in the USSR has greatly decreased. The mail bird population returned to pre-war levels only in the 70s.

How do carrier pigeons know where to fly?

Researchers cannot yet say with certainty how doves find their way to the addressee. It is believed that the special structure of the brain plays an important role in this. The bird is able to remember the area in which it has been. This is also facilitated by the special structure of the eyes, thanks to which pigeons concentrate only on significant objects, filtering out secondary ones. That is why the birds determine the path, provided that they have previously visited the addressee.

It is also believed that pigeons work using information supplied by their beak. The latter contains special receptors that help birds navigate the geomagnetic fields of the Earth. The information obtained in this way is also forever deposited in the bird's brain.

In addition, a number of researchers note that when orienting in space, pigeons use infrasound. The latter is able to spread over long distances, which is what the birds use, flying many kilometers when delivering mail.

Average bird speed

Speed performance and endurance depend on both the breed and the age of the bird. Pigeons older than three years are able to develop 60-70 km / h. Some individuals accelerate in flight up to 100 km / h. Birds have been recorded reaching speeds of up to 150 km/h.

Adults rise to a height of up to 400 meters. Birds can spend up to 12 hours a day in flight. But at night the birds rest. The best representatives of postal breeds can overcome up to 1000 kilometers.

Training

Today breeders train young animals using one of the following methods:

The training starts when the chicks reach 2 months of age. In the first year, work is carried out on the formation of skills in orientation on the ground. Therefore, the birds do not fly far from the dovecote. During this period, pigeons overcome no more than 75 kilometers.This method is used in temperate regions.
Training starts at 6 months of age. This option is suitable for those living in the southern regions. Training in this case is being forced. In the first 6 months, the birds must overcome over 300 kilometers. Moreover, pigeons usually cross this distance in 7-8 flights.

Training begins with accustoming the young to the owner. During this period, the birds leave the enclosure on their own and return back. You can also release the young on the roof. Then the breeders train endurance. To do this, the young animals are driven around the dovecote for several days, gradually increasing the duration of this lesson to 1.5 hours. The procedure is carried out before the morning feeding.

Admission to competitions is given to those birds that have been taught to keep the direction. To do this, the young are taken out to a distance of 2-3 kilometers from the dovecote and released home. Gradually increase the distance. This type of training is carried out until the birds reach 2-3 years of age. At the end, sporting pigeons that have previously shown stable results can be carried up to 500 kilometers.

Rules of care and feeding

In summer, adult pigeons are fed three times a day, in winter - 2 times. During the period of training and competition, the amount of food given out is reduced. Adult birds are given mainly combined feeds. In this case, you can include in food and other products. The basis of the diet should be cereals:

barley;
millet;
rice;
buckwheat.

Beans, rapeseed, hemp and flax are also recommended.To strengthen immunity and increase endurance, fresh herbs or premixes are added to the diet. Pebbles and s alt should be periodically poured into separate feeders. Always keep containers of water near food. Pigeons after saturation go to drink. Adults are unpretentious in care. Dovecotes should be kept dry and drafts avoided. In addition, the premises must be regularly cleaned and disinfected.