Not the best picture I have taken but surely one of the most difficult. I took this pic from my garden surrounded by buildings and it was impossible to focus on the birds because they came darting from different places; morever these birds were flying some distance away and they are so swift to capture.
Pigeon racing is quite popular in Malta. Pigeons are kept in lofts on rooftops and are expensive to keep. No wonder that a champion racing pigeon may cost thousands of euros. Racing between pigeons owned by local enthusiasts are organised regularly by the local federation. For middle or long distance races, pigeons are transported to the starting point on ships or aircraft and when let out they have to seek their way to their owners loft - it is amazing how they manage to do this when sometimes they are required to travel hundreds of miles.
The pigeons in the pic come from some loft not very far away from my house. They are such a delight to see darting here and there in a big group– they really enjoy the time they are let out of their loft. I wonder what makes them return all together – perhaps it’s a special call from the owner.
Good catch! Love them flying over our towns and villages, the noise and shade that they make when they pass - but not their droppings. Pigeons are often considered pests when they settle in cities but in they are birds with a little understood natural navigation system.
Ian these are racing pigeons, kept in lofts and are very well taken care of.
Their flying and homing capabilities are much sharper than that of the common pigeon.
Their flying and homing capabilities are much sharper than that of the common pigeon.