Homing pigeons have been valued for their highly-developed navigational skills for thousands of years. They were used to proclaim the winners of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, 3,000 years ago. Genghis Khan, Julius Caesar and other rulers and generals of antiquity used pigeons to carry messages during wars – as recently as WWII — as long-distance messengers in peacetime and as racing athletes throughout the world. The homing instinct is established by careful training and can take approximately 8 weeks to complete. Homing pigeons can be identified by the band on the leg with identifying numbers that help locate its owner and club.
Most homing pigeons today are bred and trained for racing in club-sponsored events. Pigeon Racing in the U.S. dates to the 1860s when Homing Pigeons were imported from Europe. Over the decades since then, various pigeon racing organizations were formed to provide continuity in breeding, health treatments, sponsored race events and race outcome record-keeping – winners and times.
Founded in 1910, the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc. (ARPUor now, AU) is the modern national organization that oversees all of the functions of racing pigeon breeders, racers, veterinarians and others interested in this ancient sport. It has about 700 affiliated clubs nationwide. The AU sells official leg bands for members’ birds, provides a national print publication, disseminating news and information, standardization of competition and accompanying awards, a central information hub for a finder to restore a lost bird to its owner, and a myriad of other central functions. It also has a 33-page Constitution and By-Laws, setting forth in detail, virtually every aspect of its oversight of the sport.
The world of pigeon racing has changed greatly since 1910. City ordinances relating to the raising of birds in neighborhoods did not exist in the days of horse stables on every block. Also, the recreational activities available to modern citizens do not leave much room for a hands-on sport such as pigeon racing. In some other countries – England, Belgium, Holland Germany and Japan, pigeon racing is more robust than in the U.S., but a strong central organization is still needed to serve the interests of American pigeon owners. The AU introduced a computerized race program, which computed race results – a great boon. In 1984, the Association of Pigeon Veterinarians was founded, which became a valuable asset to AU members. The US Postal Service approved the overnight shipping of birds in the U.S. and in 1989, the AU founded the Avian Assistance Council which provided information to members who become embroiled in ordinance battles about the raising, training and racing of pigeons in municipalities. The avian influenza crisis hit in 1993. The AU was the major funder of research that proved that the avian influenza did not transmit across species – chickens, turkeys, pigeons, which must have saved the sport from extensive misunderstanding by those concerned about the health effects of racing pigeons in their neighborhoods.
The AU offers a one-year Help-a-Beginner Program that connects experienced mentors with new racing enthusiasts and provides guidance into the world of buying birds, training them, caring for their health and ultimately, racing these feathered athletes of the sky. Networking with human members of the AU is also a benefit of the Help-a-Beginner program! The AU membership continues to grow and the Directors demonstrate vision and innovation with computer programs and products that enhance the modern world of competitive racing – such as maintaining the AU Bird Hall of Fame!
A visit to American Racing Pigeon Union | Homing Pigeons | ARPU Sport Flyers provides extensive information about this fascinating and affordable sport. A person with a nominal investment can enter the world of the AU and learn the hobby well. MjL
