"The must-have guide for anyone passionate about keeping, breeding or racing pigeons." -- Cover

Exploring the sex life of birds and their wide range of fascinating mating and parenting habits, this comprehensive study gives you a detailed insight into bird family life. Discover the amazing array of courtship techniques employed by birds around the world, such as ospreys bringing gifts of food in exchange for sex, male skylarks performing aerial acrobatics to impress females, or long-tailed widowbirds showing off their tails to advertise the quality of their genes. But it's not all about males seeking to impress or dominate females: sex roles can be reversed, and the book includes examples such as the black coucal, whose females leave the males to perform all childcare duties. The essential guide to bird family life, Bird Love is richly illustrated with stunning colour photographs, and regular Backyard Bird boxes in each chapter showcase familiar species from around the world. There is also an index and further reading at the back of the book for those wanting to learn more about the many different species of birds in this book! Bird Love covers a whole host of unique bird mating and parenting habits, from practical to peculiar, and is divided into sections on: Ecology and Mating Systems, Courtship, Nests and Eggs, Raising Chicks, Sex Role Reversals, Group Breeding, Brood Parasitism. From female hornbills who seal themselves in to their tree hollow nests, relying on their mates to deliver food through a narrow slit, to the eclectus parrots of Melanesia, whose females fight each other to secure a home due to the limited availability of nesting spots, and who can if succesful enjoy up to seven mates, this book is filled with wild stories of the lengths birds will go to survive and thrive in the wild. Varying levels of parental care are revealed, from both parents having to provide constant care to allowing an insurance chick to die to ensure at least one survives. And either sex can desert the nest in search of further matings to secure another clutch of chicks and the continuation of their family line. Brood parasitism, where birds such as cuckoos and cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests, takes absentee parenting to the extreme and the book explores how these species have evolved to delegate all parental care. Alongside, it also shows how host species have cleverly developed a wide range of tactics to defend their nests and their own families. This complete guide is the ultimate study in the mating and parenting lives of birds of all kinds, and is the perfect gift for either a seasoned ornithologist or an amateur bird fancier. Stunning photographs accompany the deep scientific knowledge of author Wenfei Tong, making this a must have for anyone interestered in avian life!

The pigeon is the quintessential city bird. Domesticated thousands of years ago as a messenger and a source of food, its presence on our sidewalks is so common that people consider the bird a nuisance—if they notice it at all. Yet pigeons are also kept for pleasure, sport, and profit by people all over the world, from the “pigeon wars” waged by breeding enthusiasts in the skies over Brooklyn to the Million Dollar Pigeon Race held every year in South Africa. Drawing on more than three years of fieldwork across three continents, Colin Jerolmack traces our complex and often contradictory relationship with these versatile animals in public spaces such as Venice’s Piazza San Marco and London’s Trafalgar Square and in working-class and immigrant communities of pigeon breeders in New York and Berlin. By exploring what he calls “the social experience of animals,” Jerolmack shows how our interactions with pigeons offer surprising insights into city life, community, culture, and politics. Theoretically understated and accessible to interested readers of all stripes, The Global Pigeon is one of the best and most original ethnographies to be published in decades.

Homing Pigeons: Best in Racing Pigeon Books on Homing Pigeons is the ultimate guide for anyone interested in the thrilling world of pigeon racing. This comprehensive book delves into every aspect of the sport, from its rich history to the advanced techniques used by top pigeon racers today. Whether you're a beginner looking to get started or an experienced enthusiast seeking to improve your racing performance, this book provides essential insights into the fascinating and competitive world of homing pigeons. In Chapter 1: The Fascinating World of Pigeon Racing, you'll explore the captivating origins of pigeon racing and how it evolved into a global phenomenon. Learn about the sport's cultural significance across different countries and discover the legendary races and racers that have shaped pigeon racing history. This chapter also highlights the challenges and rewards of competing in modern pigeon racing, giving you a solid foundation to understand the sport's appeal and its modern-day prominence. Chapter 2: Getting Started with Pigeon Racing offers everything you need to know to begin your pigeon racing journey. Learn how to choose the best pigeon breeds for racing, understand the importance of pigeon genetics, and set up your racing loft. With easy-to-follow guidance on pigeon care and training, this chapter ensures that even newcomers can raise strong, healthy birds capable of performing in races. Additionally, it prepares you for your first race, outlining exactly what to expect when competing for the first time. For those looking to push their pigeons to the next level, Chapter 3: Advanced Training Techniques focuses on specialized training methods. You'll discover how to develop a precise training schedule, enhance your pigeons' conditioning and endurance, and hone their homing instincts. With cutting-edge insights on speed trials, mental training, and technology's role in racing, this chapter is perfect for racers who want to refine their techniques and ensure their birds perform at their peak. In Chapter 4: Advanced Breeding Strategies, this book dives deep into the art and science of pigeon breeding. Learn how to select the perfect breeding stock, breed for specific traits that give your birds a competitive edge, and raise healthy squabs with top-notch nutrition. Managing a breeding loft requires expertise, and this chapter offers ethical and responsible breeding practices that contribute to the long-term success of your pigeon racing operation. Chapter 5: Nutrition and Health for Racing Pigeons covers everything you need to know about keeping your pigeons in prime health. From understanding pigeon nutrition and feeding schedules to supplementing their diet for enhanced performance, this chapter ensures your birds are always race-ready. It also covers common health issues, first aid, and maintaining a healthy loft to prevent illness and keep your birds thriving throughout the racing season. Finally, Chapter 6: The Business of Pigeon Racing teaches you how to turn your passion into a profitable venture. Learn the economics of pigeon racing, how to market and sell racing pigeons, and secure sponsorships. This chapter also includes tips on competing in major races, building a personal brand in the racing world, and developing long-term strategies for sustained success. Whether you're looking to profit from your birds or simply enhance your competitive edge, this chapter has you covered. If you're ready to immerse yourself in the world of homing pigeons and racing, this book is a must-have for enthusiasts at every level. TAGS: Pigeon Racing, Homing Pigeons, Racing Pigeon Books, Pigeon Racing Guide, Pigeon Racing Tips, Pigeon Racing Training, Pigeon Breeding, Pigeon Care, Pigeon Genetics, Pigeon Loft Setup, Pigeon Racing Competitions, Pigeon Racing Equipment, Pigeon Racing History, Pigeon Racing Health, Pigeon Racing Nutrition

Prompted collaborative journal designed to foster deeper connections. Features over 200 unique activities and questions across 3 different levels of emotional depth. This journal is designed to be completed both independently, passing the journal back and forth, and together, either in person or virtually.

The Pigeon Minds - is an overview of my Learning and experience in the field of endurance flying pigeon competitions in the southern part of India. The long-time flying pigeons are energetic champions of fascination that motivates its own fancier to continually engage in the breeding, rearing and training of pigeons for long flight. This hobby brings a lot of benefits to the fancier if it is taken care in a proper manner. It enhances psychological wellbeing, reduce life stress and act as a stress buster, most of the times. But if not taken properly, it itself becomes and addiction and a stress creator. A lot young fanciers are coming into the field with little knowledge and often struggle to fly their birds even for a matter of hours.