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The rock dove (Columba livia) has been tamed and bred into a quick and trustworthy messenger called the carrier pigeon. Carrier pigeons can fly hundreds of kilometres before landing in their dovecot. Nonetheless the carrier pigeons have an excellent sense of direction and know how to find their way back home.

Even the common pigeons were once carrier pigeons. The pigeon population was formed when former carrier pigeons escaped or got lost. Nowadays they live a fairly peaceful life in cities amongst the people. Sometimes there is a dove with different coloured rings around its ankles amongst the pigeons. These doves are usually carrier pigeons. Lost carrier pigeons often seek the company of people (rather than other common pigeons). The rings around their ankles state the country e.g. FIN, birth year, and the number series of the pigeon through which the owner can be contacted. Some of them even have a ring which has the owner’s telephone number and contact information. In Finland tens of carrier pigeons per year get lost at competitions and during training. Carrier pigeons from other European countries also get lost in Finland during competitions.

CARE If you find a lost carrier pigeon you can give it grain, peas, sunflower seeds and water. Serving cola drinks to a dehydrated carrier pigeon is an effective way of reviving it. After a couple of days the carrier pigeon usually continues its journey.

In Finland there are about 50 people involved with carrier pigeons out of which about 30 belong to the association. All in all there are about 1000 carrier pigeons in Finland.

You can inform us about lost or found pigeons/doves by e-mailing us or by calling us.

In our discussion forum you can talk about breeding/owning doves or pigeons, or any other domestic pets. Feedback is also very welcomed. This website is currently operating also as the Suomen Rotukyyhky-yhdistys home page.