Carrying on from my last post about the feral pigeons in my garden, I noticed a larger and suspiciously “noble” looking pigeon amongst the flock. Upon closer inspection I saw that the pigeon has a white ring around its leg. This threw me a bit since I’ve never seen a checkered racing pigeon before, only blue bars, although I know racing pigeons can come in a variety of colours.
Checkered racing pigeon
The racing pigeon looks healthy and strong (and very beautiful!), with no signs of any problems with his flight and I can only speculate that he became lost during a race and decided to team up with the feral pigeons for safety, companionship and intel on the good food locations. I don’t know how long he’ll stay with the feral pigeons before deciding to return to his home. He may never return if he falls in love with a feral. 
Racing pigeons generally do well in the wild if they join a feral pigeon flock, unlike fancy pigeons that may have some unusual feather shapes that make it hard for them to fly away from predators quickly (please read my post about the welfare of fancy pigeons). This is one reason why you should never release a fancy pigeon into the wild. Racing pigeons, however, are bred to fly fast and strong, and I’ve seen racing pigeons stick with feral pigeons so I believe that they are capable of surviving in the wild. Maybe their genetic contribution to the feral population helps with the overall genetic health of wild pigeons? I have seen feral pigeons that look like they have racing blood in them (it’s often the shape of the head and beak that gives them away: very “Roman nose”).
I wonder: If I go out into the garden and hold some food in my hand, would the racer fly down to me?
Can you spot the racer?
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology were conducting research into feral pigeon behaviour and colour distinctions/morphs, however, they have now discontinued it. I don’t know what the results of their research is, but I’d be very interested to know. However, this website has taken up the challenge of finding more about pigeon colour variation: Feral Pigeon Project
Pigeon colour morphs:
He’s shaped like a bullet with a lot of muscle! Perhaps he didn’t like racing!
Loved seeing the racer in your garden. How cute is that!
Thanks for the good information.
My two rescued pigeons “Burr-Dee” and “Squeaky” are doing great, I’m so glad to read about pigeons through your posts it makes me feel good that I’m caring for my birds properly.
He’s a lovely looking pigeon and now he has made friends it gives alot of comfort knowing he has company.
I had a lovely white pigeon with grey markings on the neighbours roof a few months ago, I could see he had two tags, one on each foot, I was very concerned so I put some seed in a bowl on my roof, the next morning the seed had been pecked and he was gone and I haven’t seen him again, so hoping that gave him the energy to fly home.
Hi Glen, yes, quite possibly he had enough so joined the ferals for a break.
Hi Clara, good to hear about your two pigeons! I wish you all well.
Hi Neil, sometimes racers have a break and then fly back to home, other times they stay with their adopted flock. Giving them extra food and water (like you did) definitely helps them if they are tired and hungry.