Homing pigeon release behaviour

[ejgreen]

I am interested in how homing pigeons behave immediately after they are released for a flight, and wonder whether someone could help answer the following questions:

Do they always fly up into the sky and circle before determining a direction?

If they do circle, do they tend to circle in a particular direction, i.e. turning left or right?

How long does it take them to make a full circle in the sky?

Do they behave differently under different weather conditions?

I'd be grateful for any insight!!

[Pollo70]

They have to collect their bearings first.so for them to circle is normal how many times they circle and in what directions that is up to the birds. I have seen birds circle once then bolt straight out of sight in full flight in the direction of the loft. I have also seen them circle 3 or more times then after each circle they are still in sight,but they have allready moved a mile away and working their way also in the direction of the loft. as far as weather goes I do no clear days are the best!

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Originally Posted by ejgreen

I am interested in how homing pigeons behave immediately after they are released for a flight, and wonder whether someone could help answer the following questions:

Do they always fly up into the sky and circle before determining a direction?

If they do circle, do they tend to circle in a particular direction, i.e. turning left or right?

How long does it take them to make a full circle in the sky?

Do they behave differently under different weather conditions?

I'd be grateful for any insight!!

No
No
Depends on size of circle, speed they are moving at.
Sometimes

[NZ Pigeon]

Agree with Warren.
Well trained birds will often not circle at all.
With regards to weather the only thing I have noticed is that when windy they will not go as high in the sky as when the weather is calm.