Messenger / Homing Pigeons & Their Applications (Columbidae -
Please see also Doves) Pigeon Information ... Intelligence &
Amazing Facts ... Species / Breeds ... Breed Photo Gallery ...
DVDs and Books Homing pigeons are called messenger pigeons when
they are used to carry messages. Messages have to be written on
light, thin paper (such as cigarette paper) and rolled into a
small tube that is attached to the bird's leg. This is called
"pigeon post." They have also been used to carry small light-
weight packages, in including smuggling drugs into prisons. In
recent history, they are mainly used for the sport of pigeon
racing. They have been bred for racing and can reach speeds
between 60 - 80 miles per hour. They can fly up to 80 to 600
miles in one single day. In 2010, Jose Ledesma's pigeons finish
a personal racing season in Canary Islands with amazing
resultss. Two young birds raced 3 times each from African coast
in Morocco. Long Distance Races + 1st Regional Price against
1312 pigeons (National race equival