The exclusive town of Adeje is truly one-of-a-kind. It couldn’t be more accurate. Pigeon racing is an exceptionally distinct world. The term ‘pigeon’ originates from the Latin word ‘columbus’, meaning dove. Essentially, this activity encompasses the array of techniques and expertise connected to the rearing of pigeons to transform them into couriers. This age-old sporting practice was formally recognised in Spain with the establishment of the Royal Spanish Pigeon Pigeon Federation in 1894. Its inaugural president, Commander Pedro Vives y Vich, was a trailblazer in aviation and ballooning, both in military and civilian spheres. Interestingly, Vives played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Las Cañadas del Teide observatory at the start of the 20th century. Within the Canary Islands framework, the region boasts a rich culture in this field, and Adeje, in particular, was a pioneer of this pursuit.
Pigeons have served as messengers for numerous civilizations. Their remarkable flight endurance and their adeptness in memorising flight paths enhanced the transmission of information across vast distances. The use of this species as a means of communication dates back to antiquity. The ancient Greeks employed them to announce the victors of the Olympic Games, while the Roman legions maintained dovecotes to house these birds.
Moreover, formal postal services have utilised carrier pigeons, such as those by Reuters. In early 20th-century England, they were adopted to relay the halftime and final results of football matches, offering convenience to journalists of that era.
A Legacy in the Canary Islands
Pigeon racing, amidst the modern era of screens, social media, and technology, is a sporting pursuit that is waning in influence within the Canary Islands. During its zenith, pigeons soared through the skies of the archipelago, traversing hundreds of kilometres, and many families partook in this sport deeply entrenched in Canarian culture. This custom has been handed down through generations across the Canary Islands, as exemplified by Valentín González, the president of the Adeje Pigeon Pigeon Club. “Currently, there are over 300 pigeon fancier clubs in Spain and more than 25 on the island,” attests the pigeon enthusiast from Los Realejos.
Pigeon racing has been a prevalent sport in the Canary Islands since the early 20th century, particularly in the north of Tenerife. In 1986, the Adeje City Council sanctioned the establishment of what is now Spain’s premier pigeon fancier town. Located in the Barranco de las Torres, this area was developed by the Adeje authorities to provide shelter for pigeons.
“They are akin to athletes. These creatures possess exceptional attributes. They can live up to 14 years, fly in a straight line for up to 1,400 kilometres, and exhibit remarkable orientation capabilities,” elucidates González. Indeed, these birds, though perceived as commonplace, when held in captivity and engaged in sports, unveil abilities unbeknownst to many.
In the realm of science, pigeons have been subjects of intricate study. Their orientation prowess is often likened to that of a magnetic compass. Valentin González asserts that “if released in Casablanca, they can fly back to their point of origin.” These birds act as “a magnetic needle,” summarises the trainer. Nonetheless, not all of them find their way back to the pigeon loft.
“Following each release, if 80 pigeons participate, only 20 return. Many are misplaced, and ultimately, those reaching the finish line are the fittest. It’s akin to a sieve. The cream of the crop emerges,” he elaborates.
The Contention
Sardina is the preferred starting location for pigeon fanciers in Tenerife: “We have conducted several competitions originating from the docks of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, yet from Sardina, we have observed better positioning of the birds.” Before commencing a competition, each pigeon undergoes “basket day” preparation, with each fancier organising their bird.
“Basket day” marks the initiation of the pigeon fancier contest. “Subsequently, microchips on their claws are scanned right before the competition starts to accurately document the distance covered,” clarifies González.
Post this process, the bird is released, and the pigeons take flight. “We remain stationed in our pigeon lofts. We engage with fellow pigeon fanciers via WhatsApp. We bring out refreshments, have a meal, and await the return of our specimens. Witnessing your pigeons arrive gradually brings immense joy,” describes the resident of Realejo.
The “check antenna” serves as a crucial apparatus positioned at the finish line during contests. This antenna is designed to register the precise time of a pigeon’s arrival at the specified destination. Working in tandem with the microchip attached to the pigeon’s leg containing distinctive identification details, once the pigeon passes the check antenna, the system automatically reads the microchip and records the arrival time.
In speed tournaments, pigeons vie at varying distances. “For instance, a standard speed competition might cover a distance of around 290 kilometres, such as the journey between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote,” details the president. These races put the pigeons’ swiftness to the test, ensuring a speedy return to their point of origin. Conversely, mid-range tournaments encompass longer distances, typically around 340 kilometres.
Endurance and Grand Endurance tournaments present the ultimate challenges for racing pigeons, entailing significantly longer distances and extreme stamina. An exceptional illustration would be the voyage from Arrecife in Lanzarote to Cadiz, spanning a distance exceeding 1,000 kilometres.
THE AVIAN SPIES
While these avian creatures are utilised for activities that promote sportsmanship and provide recreational enjoyment for many, there is an underlying sinister purpose. The breeding and training of pigeons are primarily aimed at transforming them into couriers, with all the ethical dilemmas it brings. Pigeons possess the unique ability to cover great distances, making them valuable for communication purposes, especially in times of conflict like war.
Due to this capability, pigeons have been classified as “war assets” by numerous countries, Spain included. Their service on the battlefield has been pivotal in tipping the scales in various historical confrontations. The golden era of these “feathered messengers” was during World War II. In this period, England established the National Pigeon Service, deploying an estimated 250,000 birds between 1939 and 1945. Recognising the strategic advantage the Allies had, Germany countered with the creation of the Falcon Battalion.
This specialised unit consisted of hawks, known to be natural predators of pigeons. Some suggest that during World War II, there was a dual conflict: the overt battle between Allied and German aircraft, and the covert clash between doves and the hawks of the Third Reich, a lesser-known narrative. The introduction of hawks led to significant losses for Allied pigeons, as their vital communication network was decimated by the predatory German aerial forces. In recognition of their invaluable service, a pigeon named Mary was awarded the Dickin Medal by the British in 1945. Before the era of the enigma machine, which ensured secure communications among German generals, messaging was simpler thanks to pigeons.
