Homing Pigeon Identification

Pigeons have been living with and around humans for thousands of years, seemingly as comfortable on metropolitan high rises as they are in rural barns, even the wild birds skirting the edges of domestication. These same rock pigeons, also called rock doves, gave rise to carrier pigeons, some of which delivered messages back from battlefields during World War I, and homing pigeons, with their astounding instinct for direction.

  1. Species

    • Rock pigeons are a common ancestor.

      Wild rock pigeons have long been domesticated, and their identification as homing, carrier or messenger pigeon is based not on species differences but on what they are trained and bred to do. Carrier pigeons are today fancy pigeons, with exaggerated features that include a wattle over the beak. Homing pigeons are not as ornate and have been selectively bred for their ability to return to a specific location from miles away, the further the better.

    Stamps

    • Handle the bird's wing gently.

      One way to indicate ownership and identification of a specific bird is to stamp it with an identifying name and telephone number. A domesticated pigeon will not necessarily be stamped, but if it is this information is placed on its wing feathers. To check for a name and number, hold the pigeon and gently stretch out its wing until you can see the end feathers. Check both wings, as there is no standard for which wing to use for identification.

    Bands

    • Leg bands act like identification bracelets.

      By far the most common way of identifying a domestic pigeon, whether it is a homing or carrier pigeon, is with leg banding. This is a simple piece of metal stamped with an identification number and covered with plastic to protect it. The weight of such a band is negligible so it does not interfere with flight, and the bird's leg is not harmed, since the band is kept loose. The bird's foot keeps the band on.

    Codes

    • The code on a bird's band helps locate the owner.

      The information stamped on a homing pigeon's leg band begins with a letter prefix that indicates the national organization sponsoring the bird. Two such organizations exist in Asia and Australia, six in North America and nine in Europe, with 22 in the United Kingdom. These include racing as well as homing pigeon groups. An abbreviation of the bird's birth year (for example, 09, 10, 11) follows next, and then the code for the local club. Last is the bird's individual identification number.