A Japanese pigeon whose homing instincts were off by 8,000 kilometres is calling Vancouver Island his new home.
The racing pigeon was released in a race south of Sapporo on May 10 and was supposed to make the return flight to his loft. But on June 6, the one-year-old bird was found thousands of kilometres away at Canadian Forces Base Comox.
The pigeon was tired, infested by a common parasite and so thin after his journey across the Pacific that he couldn’t fly, said Maj Birch, founder of the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society.
“That’s why someone was able to capture him in the first place,” said Birch, who nursed him back to health at the wildlife centre.
The racing pigeon had a circular band on his leg with a number and the word Nippon on it, Birch said. The racing band on his other leg had Japanese writing and a phone number. A volunteer then contacted a friend in Japan, who contacted the pigeon’s owner.
Ironically, the owner said he would not bring the bird back because he was concerned about the stress of the journey.
This is not the first time the wildlife centre has cared for a Japanese racing pigeon. In 2005, another bird was brought to its doors and eventually returned to its Japanese owner.
“It’s still shocking, but not as much of a shock as the first,” Birch said.
Pigeons navigate by the stars and landmarks when they are flying, she explained. There’s something in their brains that causes them to be able to navigate using the magnetic poles of the Earth.
“But when they become disoriented and lose their way, they just fly around and around trying to find their home, and that weakens them.”
This pigeon had to contend with weather and winds and probably hitched a few rides with passing freighters and cargo ships. And, at first, his stay in Canada was not assured.
“When we contacted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, we knew we had an illegal alien,” Birch laughed. “They kept saying, ‘Where are his papers? Who imported this bird into Canada?’ I kept saying, ‘Nobody did. He just arrived here. He has no documents. He’s just here.’ ”
In the end, CFIA classified him as a migratory bird. The racing pigeon has been given to a member of the Mid-Island Racing Pigeon Society who will eventually introduce the foreigner to his flock.
“He’s hoping he’ll find a little mate. They like to breed them. Then there’s more loyalty to staying home,” Birch said.
For more information on the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society, see wingtips.org.
