Hobbies And Interests
Sporting Pigeons
Target practice, dog training and stuffing are the main fates of sporting pigeons. Used by hunters, they generally live only long enough to either fly and be chased, or to breed. Some hunters do make an effort to capture, rather than kill, their pigeons, but for the most part, these birds end up in the soup pot. These birds are bred for speed.
Racing Pigeons
Unlike their close relatives the sporting pigeons, racing pigeons are valued for their lives. Racing against their own time, against competing birds or even against human messenger services, racing pigeons have been known to fly at more than 100 miles per hour. They are bred for both speed and endurance, and are often kept as pets well after their racing days are over.
Fancy Pigeons
Breeders primarily keep fancy pigeons as pets, but they are sometimes used for ceremonies and shows. They are bred for their color, build, feather construction, carriage and general beauty. Often a chick will not live up to the standards of its parents and will be given over to another category or sold to a hobbyist.
Utility Pigeons
Utility pigeons are bred primarily for their meat. Known in many parts of the world as the delicacy "squab," this type of pigeon is not bred for speed, looks or intelligence, but rather for their mass. They are only used as replacement breeding stock on the rare occasion that one displays appropriate characteristics to be placed in another category.