what basis are used to describe the Homecoming instincts of birds
Answers
Explanation:
The messenger pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) derived from the wild rock dove, selectively bred for its ability to find its way home over extremely long distances. The rock dove has an innate homing ability,[1] meaning that it will generally return to its nest, (it is believed) using magnetoreception.[2] This made it relatively easy to breed from the birds that repeatedly found their way home over long distances. Flights as long as 1,800 km (1,100 miles) have been recorded by birds in competitive pigeon racing.[3] Their average flying speed over moderate 965 km (600 miles) distances is around 97 km/h (60 miles per hour)[4] and speeds of up to 160 km/h (100 miles per hour) have been observed in top racers for short[clarification needed] distances.
Because of this skill, domesticated pigeons were used to carry messages as messenger pigeons. They are usually referred to as "pigeon post" if used in post service, or "war pigeon" during wars. Until the introduction of telephones, homing pigeons were used commercially to deliver communication.
Messenger pigeons are often incorrectly categorized as English Carrier pigeons, an ancient breed of fancy pigeons which were historically used to send messages but mostly lost their homing instinct in modern times. Modern-day homing pigeons (homers) or racing pigeons (racing homers) have “Carrier blood” in them because they are in part descendants of the old-style Carriers and are thus today still commonly but erroneously called “carrier pigeons