They say birds of a feather flock together, and this statement couldn’t be more true for the Melton Racing Pigeon Club, who started their 2024 season this month.
They participate in the Western Pigeon Federation with 15 other clubs from Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The club has 17 members who race about 1500 birds in a variety of locations across Victoria and New South Wales.
Treasurer Paul Camilleri said the team was “hanging out” for the season to commence and got great enjoyment from participation.
“Ninety per cent of pigeon racers get a lot of personal satisfaction out of it,” he said.
Mr Camilleri said members develop a close bond with their birds and that many already had some level of experience with the sport during childhood.
“You get a very personal relationship with the birds… you breed them through the summer period and then from Christmas to June you train them,” he said.
“Generally you grow up in it but you never have the time until you get close to retirement.”
During World War I, pigeons were used to carry messages between the frontlines.
In the century since then, they have been specially bred for racing where they once flew above the trenches and attract buyers from around the world.
“We go buy the birds in Belgium and the Netherlands for their strong homing instinct,” said Mr Camilleri.
“It’s worth millions in China… you think you were racing thoroughbreds.”
Mr Camilleri said there is an air of mystery as to how the pigeons can locate their owners over such long distances.
“How do they do it? No one can actually tell you.”
