Homing Pigeons Have Unique Abilities to Find Home
by Owen Borville
June 30, 2020
Biology
The homing pigeon or messenger pigeon is known for its unique abilities of finding its way home over long distances after being transported to places that it has never been before. Their method of finding home is still being debated by scientists today.
Many scientists believe that homing pigeons find home by way of some sort of magnetoreception, a sense which allows an organism to detect a magnetic field to find direction, altitude, or location. The homing pigeon can return to its home using its ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field.
The homing pigeon's speed and endurance is also unique. The homing pigeon has been recorded to make flights of up to 1,100 miles (1,800 km) during pigeon racing events. Average speeds of 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) over 600 mile distances have been recorded in these pigeons, while shorter distance speeds of up to 100 miles per hour have been recorded.
Because of their abilities to travel long distances at fast speeds, these pigeons were once used to deliver messages before the introduction of telephones, including for post service and wartime service. Homing pigeons were used as early as the time of the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. Some pigeons were used to carry medications.
Scientists believe that pigeons have both compass and map-like mechanisms to help them find home.
Other theories of the navigational abilities of pigeons include their sense of smell and use of ultralow frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans. Some believe that pigeons use the position and angle of the sun to find home. Pigeons also likely use familiar landmarks to find home. Pigeons can fly at night, indicating that they use multiple methods of homing depending on whether the sun is out or not.
The unique abilities of the homing pigeon showcase the abilities of a powerful and creative Designer and Creator. The homing pigeon has the unique genetic makeup that was given to it that enables it to perform its abilities.
by Owen Borville
June 30, 2020
Biology
The homing pigeon or messenger pigeon is known for its unique abilities of finding its way home over long distances after being transported to places that it has never been before. Their method of finding home is still being debated by scientists today.
Many scientists believe that homing pigeons find home by way of some sort of magnetoreception, a sense which allows an organism to detect a magnetic field to find direction, altitude, or location. The homing pigeon can return to its home using its ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field.
The homing pigeon's speed and endurance is also unique. The homing pigeon has been recorded to make flights of up to 1,100 miles (1,800 km) during pigeon racing events. Average speeds of 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) over 600 mile distances have been recorded in these pigeons, while shorter distance speeds of up to 100 miles per hour have been recorded.
Because of their abilities to travel long distances at fast speeds, these pigeons were once used to deliver messages before the introduction of telephones, including for post service and wartime service. Homing pigeons were used as early as the time of the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago. Some pigeons were used to carry medications.
Scientists believe that pigeons have both compass and map-like mechanisms to help them find home.
Other theories of the navigational abilities of pigeons include their sense of smell and use of ultralow frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans. Some believe that pigeons use the position and angle of the sun to find home. Pigeons also likely use familiar landmarks to find home. Pigeons can fly at night, indicating that they use multiple methods of homing depending on whether the sun is out or not.
The unique abilities of the homing pigeon showcase the abilities of a powerful and creative Designer and Creator. The homing pigeon has the unique genetic makeup that was given to it that enables it to perform its abilities.
