Pigeon Sculpture, Bronze, Standing On a Double Pedestal Base.

Feral pigeons are the same species as pigeons bred to race, and some racers have sold for more than $300,000 a bird.

Trained racing pigeons can fly at speeds up to 110 miles per hour for long stretches thanks to their impressive breast muscles. Those massive breast muscles account for one-third of their total body weight!

2. They're private

Have you ever seen a pigeon chick? I didn’t think so. Interestingly, pigeons don’t reveal themselves to humans until they are fully mature.

There are two good reasons for this phenomenon. Number 1, pigeons are very effective at hiding their nests away from prying eyes. Number 2, young pigeons (called squabs) remain in the nest until they take on an adult appearance.

3. They co-parent

Mother and father pigeons are equal partners in providing for their chicks. This even extends to generating unique baby food. Both sexes secrete “milk” (a high fat and protein mixture squabs consume) into the crop, a food-storage pouch partway down the throat, used to nourish their clutch of offspring. 

4. They mate for life

Pigeons are monogamous and can live to the age of 20.

5. They have an uncanny ability to find their way home

Pigeons have an unparalleled ability to find their way home, no matter what scientists do to confuse them. They have delivered messages through a hail of bullets during wartime, and once delivered messages for Reuters, the world's largest news organization. 

Homing pigeons are the same species as your neighbourhood pigeon, they have simply been bred and trained for racing.