WBS intern Ashley Epperson from Marshfield, Missouri, and I brought birds of prey to their camp, to share with them some cool facts about the birds.
Naturalist Mike Zieloski tells the boys some of the fascinating statistics about Homing Pigeons
In addition to the birds they requested for the program I brought our Homing Pigeons along for an extra long exercise flight. I figured that the birds would have to fly about 40 air miles to get back to the loft at World Bird Sanctuary. I was excited to fly the pigeons this distance because prior to that the birds’ long distance record has been 35 air miles. So I wanted to break our record for distance flown back to WBS.
Some of the boys already knew about "Messenger Pigeons"
We had all the boys and adult leaders gather behind the Pigeon release baskets. We talked with the boys about the Pigeons’ homing ability, and how the birds are in tune with the sun and the earth's electromagnetic field. The birds have extra magnetic tissue in their brains.
Some of the boys at camp knew about the birds being used as "Messenger" Pigeons throughout history. Some of the men and some of the boys knew that during World Wars I and II the Allies and the Germans used "Messenger" Pigeons. The Allies would try to shoot down the Germans pigeons or try to capture them with the aid of a Peregrine Falcon, to intercept or interrupt the message being sent, and vice versa. Some of the most famous Pigeons are in the Homing Pigeon Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
We told the boys that the fastest pigeons average about 45 miles per hour.
Two of the boys get set to release the pigeons
We picked a couple of young boys to flop open the Release Baskets. We decided that we would yell "Set Sail" as that was the theme for Camp this year.
So Ashley Epperson got into position with her cell phone camera and we had the boys release the birds. We all yelled, ”Set Sail!!” as the birds took off and headed for home. The boys thought this was great fun.
Everyone yelled "Set Sail" as the birds began their journey back to the loft at WBS
After the program, Ashley and I drove back to World Bird Sanctuary--57 miles by road. One all star bird beat us back. More birds came in throughout the afternoon. The next morning 3 more came home.
We all had a great time, exercised the birds, learned a little bit and set a new distance record for the Homing Pigeons that live and work at World Bird Sanctuary.
If you would like to have a Homing Pigeon release at your next special event you can make arrangements by calling 636-225-4390, Ext. 0
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