Top 6 Myths in Pigeon Racing: Have You Been Fooled Too?

Pigeon racing is full of empirical rules and 'secrets' passed down through generations. While some are wisdom from experience, many are unsubstantiated rumors or even marketing hype.

We've scoured international forums, columns, and scientific studies to identify and debunk six of the most persistent myths in the sport.

Myth 1: Pairing Under a Full Moon Produces Better Youngsters

A common belief holds that pairing breeder pigeons during a full moon results in healthier, smarter youngsters due to lunar gravitational effects.

Fact Check: Absolutely no scientific basis. Filip Herbots, a champion fancier and columnist for PIPA, calls this one of the most absurd 'garbage-level' theories [citation:7]. No peer-reviewed study links moon phases to pigeon quality. A youngster's potential depends on the parents' health, genetics, and pairing timing, not the moon.

Myth 2: Small Feathers Under the Wing Indicate Breeding Quality

Some believe a small tuft of feathers under the wing (the axillaries) marks a pigeon as an excellent breeder, even calling it the 'breeding tuft'.

Fact Check: This is pure marketing talk. The presence of these feathers is a random genetic occurrence, possibly related to feather distribution, but absolutely unrelated to breeding capacity or genetic quality [citation:7]. Top breeders ignore this. Focus on build, muscle, and balance instead.

Myth 3: A Youngster Lost During Training Will Never Get Lost Again

The idea: if a young pigeon gets lost during training and eventually returns, it 'learns a lesson' and won't repeat the mistake.

Fact Check: This is not only wrong but dangerous. A youngster that gets lost on a short training toss doesn't learn a lesson; it loses confidence in its homing ability [citation:7]. This trauma can make it more stressed and error-prone. The key is building confidence through repeated successful short-distance releases.

Myth 4: Light Eyes for Sunny Days, Dark Eyes for Bad Weather

One of the oldest superstitions: pigeons with light-colored eyes (white/sandy) excel in sunny, headwind conditions, while those with dark eyes are better suited for overcast, difficult weather.

Fact Check: No scientific evidence supports linking iris color directly to flight capability [citation:7]. While many long-distance champions have dark eyes, it might be a statistical coincidence or a trait of those specific families. Performance in tough conditions relies on orientation, endurance, and grit, not eye shade.

Myth 5: Winning a Tailwind Race is Just Luck

Some fanciers downplay victories in strong tailwind races, attributing them solely to luck.

Fact Check: Completely false. Many truly exceptional pigeons prove their mettle precisely in high-speed tailwind races [citation:7]. Flying at extreme velocities requires excellent physical condition and explosive power. True all-rounders are rare, but a tailwind winner is no fluke.

Myth 6: The Janssen Strain is Prone to Canker

A persistent rumor: pigeons from the famous Janssen brothers' strain are particularly susceptible to canker (trichomoniasis).

Fact Check: A classic example of hearsay. Filip Herbots, who managed Jos van Limpt's (Klak) loft—a pure Janssen loft—never had this issue and rarely even treated for it [citation:7]. Other Janssen experts like Andr Roodhooft never mentioned it. Canker is a management issue related to loft hygiene, not a specific bloodline.

Conclusion: Replace Superstition with Reason

Part of pigeon racing's charm is its unpredictability, which also allows myths to flourish. Next time you hear a 'secret' or 'sure-fire tip,' pause and ask: Is this based on evidence? Does it have scientific backing? A rational approach is the best foundation for a long and successful journey in the sport.