In the southern Indian city of Chennai, the pigeon racing season is reaching its climax. For pigeon keepers – or fanciers as they are known – it is a very important time of year. The wings of thousands of pigeons are routinely tested, the birds are watered and fed nutritious meals at regular intervals and much ground-work is laid for a race taking place in the skies.
Chennai is home to nearly half of India’s 7,000-strong fanciers, making it the “Mecca of pigeon racing.”
Between January and April, fanciers put their pigeons to participate in races of varying lengths ranging from 200 to 1,400 kilometers (120 – 870 miles). The former maximum race length of 1,850 kilometers (1,140 miles) was removed after animal rights groups expressed concern over the health of the birds.
As the race for the final category is set to begin, all eyes are on the upcoming event. The winning birds will be sought after for breeding and the first bird to reach home earns its keeper a prize and the respect of his fellow fanciers.
A close-knit community of fanciers raising pigeons has been breaking many barriers in the last two decades as the sport, a passion for thousands of people in South Asia, gradually emerged from a hobby to a cultural phenomenon.
Pigeon racers prepare their birds with a combination of nutrition and training
More than two dozen clubs have cropped up in recent years providing platforms for the fanciers to exchange knowledge, updates and race against each other.
Pigeon racing, also popular in some parts of Europe, first appeared in the Indian cities Kolkata and Bengaluru in the 1940s and 1970s. In Chennai the sport gained popularity in the 1980s.
The Indian Racing Pigeon Association (IRPA) is the official body that conducts races and is recognized internationally. Several other smaller clubs also organize races on their own.
IRPA’s president, Ivan Philips, told DW that there has been steady growth in interest towards rearing pigeons for sporting purposes in India in the past decade. The number of pigeon fanciers grows between 10 percent and 20 percent every year, he said.
Philips says there are plans to conduct racing events twice a year, divided between younger and older birds.
“We have our own pigeon racing Olympics, which is conducted every two years,” he said.
“The next one is set to take place in Poland next year. We also have a two-day world congress for pigeon fanciers during which we discuss and share the latest developments in the sport from other countries. We decide on the future of pigeon racing in our countries for the next two years during the conference,” said Philips.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
A Brent landlord company has been fined after failing to combat noisy pigeons nesting in one of their rental properties, following complaints that the birds were waking up the tenants.
Landlord company Adilsons Property Limited has received a sizeable fine after their tenants complained about the noisy pigeons. The couple were persistently disturbed by the birds, whose cooing awakened them each morning at 4am. The tenants were awarded £7,638 in compensation after Adilsons Property Limited refused to sort out the issue.
Brent Council investigated the property following a complaint lodged about the pigeon infested loft and also a water leak in the ceiling of the property. Adilsons Property Limited made some repairs but was ordered to pay £31,026 after failing to comply with follow-up notices related to the problems issued by Brent Council.
The trial was held at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on March 20. Adilsons Property Limited of Cricklewood Broadway, Wembley, was found guilty of failing to comply with an improvement notice related to sorting out the pigeons. The company was fined £12,200 and told to pay £5,648 in costs and was also told that they must pay a victim surcharge of £170. The property’s manager, Aamir Sultan was also fined £6,100. The two tenants were awarded £7,638 in compensation for the trouble that they had suffered at the hands of the early birds nesting in their home.
Head of Private Housing Services, Spencer Randolph, spoke out about the local council’s decision to prosecute the rogue landlord. He said: ‘Landlords are expected to maintain the properties that they rent out. Tenants in the private rented sector have a legal right to decent living conditions. We will prosecute landlords and letting agencies that fail to comply with improvement notices. This landlord had plenty of opportunities to carry out the repairs but ignored our requests.’
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Nestled in the heart of Chamarajanagardistrict, Kollegal is a small town that has, more or less, become synonymous with black magic. Such is the reputation of Kollegal that people from neighbouring states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu seek out the Tantriks and Mantravadis in the town, to help solve a broad range of problems. However, visitors to this town are no longer queuing up just outside the doors of the Tantriks. Over the past few years, naati vydyaru (traditional healers) in Kollegal have become famous for the treatment they offer for stroke using pigeons, and what is more, they are making a handsome profit from the trade as well – charging a sum of Rs 10,000 to offer treatment.
Residents point to the ubiquity of posters around the town advertising the healers, and the recovery they can effect using the pigeons, called ‘Lakva parivala (stroke pigeon)’. Since pigeons are not protected by any wildlife protection legislation, these practitioners appear to have no problems in operating openly. Interestingly enough, in keeping with the many beliefs of the town, even these traditional healers offer their services only on some days of a week.
“There are several naati healers who offer treatment for stroke using pigeons. Patients from far-flung places come to Kollegal for treatment, and we give them medicines prepared using the blood and meat of pigeons,” said one of the healers.
Pointing out that his ancestors too were involved in the profession, the healer added, “Both my grandfather and father were well known for the treatment they offered with the pigeons. I am continuing the tradition. I am offering this as a service. I offer treatment free of cost to those who cannot afford to pay for it.”
There are other traditions that the healers abide by as well. “I offer treatment only on Tuesdays and Fridays, after offering puja to the family Goddess. It’s a family tradition,” he added.
Kollegal resident Satish Rao said that a few healers had thousands of pigeons at their disposal. “These naati healers do not belong to any particular caste or religion. The most famous healer for pigeon stroke treatment is a Muslim. They use domestic pigeons, and there is great demand for them,” said Rao.
On the other hand, Chamarajanagar district health officer Dr Prasad sought to roundly refute claims. “The treatment they offer using pigeons will have no medicinal benefits for patients,” Dr Prasad said.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
With the temperature soaring in the city, birds suffering from dehydration have increased and several of them had to be rescued, said bird rescuers in Kalyan-Dombivli.
“Ever since the temperature started rising, I have rescued 15 birds from Kalyan this month. They were dehydrated. We fed them water and food and after some days, released them,” said Mahesh Bankar, a bird rescuer from Kalyan.
Usually the number of birds rescued in a month is around two to three. “We have started keeping water in cans and bowls for birds in several parts of the city,” said Bankar.
A group 70 to 80 bird lovers representing Ecodrive – youngsters group from Kalyan-Dombivli area – have been feeding birds water for the past several years. Recently, they have put up cans filled with water across several parts of the city.
“We have covered around 20 different places in Kalyan. Cans filled with water are kept for the birds. We ask residents living in the area to ensure that the cans are filled with water all the time,” said Bankar, adding that such cans were already stationed in areas like Adharwadi, Annapurna nagar, Rambaug, Ramabai Ambedkar garden in Kalyan (West).
Another bird rescuer Suhas Pawar revealed that he has rescued around 13 birds recently and all of them were dehydrated and ill.
“Some of the birds rescued by me are kites, sparrows, pigeons , the greater coucal, spotted dove, the rose-ringed parakeet and Asian Koel,”said Pawar.
Bird lovers in the city have been appealing to residents to immediately alert them if they find a bird dehydrated.
“We have been receiving several calls from residents saying the birds are found at some spot without any movement,” said Pawar.
A group of youngsters called Swarajya Yuva Pratishthan from Kalyan have taken to social media, asking people to keep bowls full of water in their balconies, terraces, and compound walls daily for the birds.
Apart from this, these youngsters also fill water in mud pots which they claim are damaged or are stolen most of the time.
The group has been using mud pots used for final rites at the cemetery as a shelter for birds. The members of the Pratishthan have made around 500 such shelters for the birds till now.
“We decided to use the mud pots as shelters as they were get wasted after the final rituals. Mud pots are a cool shelter for birds,”said Pawar, who is the founder of the Pratishthan.
During summer, the Wildlife Welfare Association in Thane receives around four to five calls a day for birds rescue in Thane.
“We ask citizens to place water bowls and grains on their windows and balconies. This attracts birds such as sparrows, pigeons and crows. Placing big bowls on terrace and making small artificial ponds will help big birds such as kites and owls,” said Manasi Nathwani, secretary, Wildlife Welfare Association, Thane.
“Most birds die due to lack of water,” said Aditya Patil,23, Wildlife Welfare Association in Thane.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
A Brent landlord who failed to deal with noisy pigeons nesting at one of its properties has been hit with a hefty fine.
A couple disturbed by pigeons whose cooing woke them at 4am every morning were awarded £7,638 in compensation after their landlord failed to deal with the issue.
Brent Council inspected the second-floor flat in Burton Road, Kilburn following a complaint about the pigeon infested loft and a water leak in the property’s ceiling was lodged by tenants in May last year.
Landlord Adilsons Property Limited of made some repairs but was ordered to pay £31,026 after failing to comply with follow-up notices issued by the council.
A trial at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on March 20 found Adilsons Property Limited of Cricklewood Broadway, Wembley, guilty of failing to comply with an improvement notice.
The company was fined £12,200 and ordered to pay £5,648 in costs as well as a victim surcharge of £170.
The property’s manager, Aamir Sultan was also fined £6,100 and the two tenants were awarded £7,638 in compensation.
Spencer Randolph, Head of Private Housing Services, said: “Landlords are expected to maintain the properties that they rent out.
“Tenants in the private rented sector have a legal right to decent living conditions.
“We will prosecute landlords and letting agencies that fail to comply with improvement notices. This landlord had plenty of opportunities to carry out the repairs but ignored our requests.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
