The world's most expensive pigeons: why they sell for millions

We see pigeons pecking at grain on rooftops every day, but some pigeons are worth more than a luxury home. The world's most expensive pigeons are racing pigeons — birds that fly home fast from hundreds of kilometres away. Let us find out why they sell for millions.

Record-breaking pigeons

Both pigeons were sold through the Belgian online auction house "PIPA", and both were bought by buyers from China, where pigeon racing has become hugely popular. Because of his wins, "Armando" was called "the Lewis Hamilton of pigeons", after the Formula 1 champion.

Why are pigeons so expensive?

• For breeding: most expensive pigeons are bought not to race but to breed winning chicks. Even the chicks of a champion pigeon sell for lakhs.
• Big prize races: China, Belgium and South Africa hold major pigeon races with very large prize money.
• Pedigree records: a racing pigeon's whole family tree is recorded, as with horses. Pigeons from good bloodlines cost more.
• Training and care: racing pigeons get special food, vaccinations and years of training flights, and the best lofts are run almost like sports academies.

Did you know? In the First World War, a pigeon named "Cher Ami" delivered a message despite being wounded by gunfire, saving about 194 trapped American soldiers. It was awarded France's war medal, the "Croix de Guerre".

How do pigeons find their way home?

Domestic pigeons have an amazing ability to return home, which is why they are called "homing pigeons". Scientists think they find their way in several ways:

• by sensing the Earth's magnetic field;
• by taking direction from the position of the sun;
• by remembering landmarks such as roads, rivers, railway lines and tall buildings on the way;
• and, according to some research, with the help of smell and very low sounds.

Pigeons in history

The pigeon (rock pigeon) is one of the oldest birds kept by humans — people have kept them for thousands of years. Messages have been sent by pigeon since ancient times; the Mughal emperor Akbar was a great lover of pigeon-keeping. Britain's "Dickin Medal", given to animals for bravery in the Second World War, went to more than 30 pigeons. In India, the Odisha Police ran a pigeon post for decades to send messages during floods and disasters; it closed around 2008.

A note on health

Feeding large numbers of pigeons in cities leads to heaps of droppings. Breathing in particles of dried droppings over time can give some people a lung allergy ("pigeon breeder's lung"), with coughing and breathlessness. So it is better to clean droppings near balconies and windows with a damp cloth while wearing a mask.

Read about another clever bird in Interesting facts about crows. Read more: 15 interesting biology facts.

Quiz: Class 4: animals and birds · Read more: Interesting facts.