Migratory Birds, Pigeons, and the Power of Endurance: How Strong Pigeons Are Made

Have you ever stopped to think about the incredible journeys that many animals undertake? It’s nothing short of awe-inspiring! Imagine flying thousands of kilometers without luxury, without protection from storms, without a safe loft to shelter in. Yet, they do it—year after year. Pigeons, like their wild relatives, migrate thousands of miles through rain, wind, and cold. But what if we could give our pigeons that same remarkable endurance?

When it comes to our pigeons, sometimes we have to accept that they can’t always stay within their comfort zone. We care for them, house them optimally, and provide everything they need. But then comes the moment when they must prove themselves. They must work for their keep, just as we always have. And just like nature teaches us, this isn’t an impossible task. In fact, it makes them stronger.

Because, let’s be honest, nature has some important lessons for us. Look at the wild pigeons that migrate every winter from the cold North to the South. Thousands of kilometers, without the comfort of a warm, dry loft, without pills or drinks. They have to make do with what they can find along the way. They are tough, both physically and mentally. It’s that self-sufficiency, that strength, we want to pass on to our pigeons.

The Power of Nature and Training

We send our pigeons on their journey, whether they want to or not. Of course, this is a stark contrast to wild birds, who make this journey out of pure necessity. The changing seasons compel them to migrate. But even their young—just 2-3 months old—join the migration, often flying at night through rain and wind. They have no choice but to push through.

What can we learn from this? If we want strong pigeons, who not only survive but excel in their endurance and navigation skills, we can’t afford to pamper them too much. If we coddle them, we make them weak. Instead of creating resilient racing pigeons, we’ll end up with lazy city pigeons.

It’s similar to how we view other animals. Take dogs, for example: one breed is content lying on the couch all day and gets anxious just thinking about going outside for a walk. Meanwhile, another breed can pull a sled through the snow for hours or run long distances without a second thought. They’re strong, energetic, and love the challenge. The difference isn’t just in their nature, but also in their training.

The Lesson of Intensive Training

In modern sports, we see these same principles at play. Top teams—whether in football, athletics, or any other sport—don’t reach their level solely through talent and motivation. They do it through intensive, grueling training. Those extra hours in the gym, those tough days in the rain, those moments of pushing past the pain—that’s what makes the difference. Those who can’t keep up, fall off. They get injured, sick, or demotivated. It’s all about the power of persistence, of pushing through, of learning to handle adversity.

And this is exactly the philosophy we apply when it comes to selecting and breeding our pigeons. Only the strongest, most resilient pigeons will endure the tough training and emerge as the champions we’re looking for.

Breeding for Strength and Endurance

So, what do we want? We want to breed pigeons that are not just physically strong, but mentally tough too. Pigeons that, in essence, are born with the drive to take on a challenge and can easily fly for 10, 12, or even 16 hours straight. Even in bad weather, even when the rain is pouring and the wind is biting at their wings.

Let’s embrace this philosophy: we want pigeons that don’t fear the journey, that know how to push through, no matter the conditions. Pigeons that, like wild birds, fearlessly reach their destination, time and time again. Because if we really want strong pigeons, we can’t protect them from the struggle—we need to teach them how to deal with it.

Nature shows us the way. If we’re willing to embrace the power of intensive training, our pigeons will be stronger, faster, and tougher than ever before. It’s a long road, but the results will be more than worth it.