How do pigeons know where to fly

Carrier pigeons are extraordinary creatures that deserve more than a passing glance.

Used since ancient times as an effective way to convey messages over long distances, there is something about these unassuming birds that fascinates scientists and breeders around the world. How do carrier pigeons know where to fly? How is it that they always return home? The answers to these questions may surprise you.

The history of carrier pigeons dates back five thousand years, when the Phoenicians domesticated these birds. For centuries, they were bred mainly for meat and ritual reasons, until their extraordinary navigational abilities were discovered. From the ancient Greeks, through the Arabs, to the times of World War I, carrier pigeons were irreplaceable in transmitting messages.

Nowadays, despite the development of technology, carrier pigeons still have their place in society. They are bred mainly for sports and exhibition purposes, but let's not forget about their extraordinary abilities that attract the attention of scientists.

The extraordinary navigational abilities of carrier pigeons

There's something about pigeons that fascinates scientists and breeders around the world [Pixabay] Pulse Live Kenya

Scientists have been trying to understand for years how carrier pigeons can return home from hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away. Studies have shown that pigeons are very sensitive to the earth's magnetic field, which they use for navigation.

But that's not all. Studies have also shown that carrier pigeons have adapted to the network of roads that humans have built. They can fly in such a way as to use the roads, which makes their behavior comparable to that of car drivers.

ALSO READ: How early humans used birds to send messages

Do pigeons always come back home?

Unfortunately, not all pigeons always return home. They can make mistakes, get lost, or fall victim to a predator or disease. Sometimes, if an adult pigeon is moved to a new loft, it may not return there, heading for its old home.

This article was originally published on Onet Travel.