But the pigeon's talent for fast flight is further exploited by breeding for racing.

But pigeons’ aptitude for swift flight, further exploited by being bred for racing, means they’re made for high speed chases. Compared to barn owls, which are a similar size, pigeon wing bones are thicker and more curved, providing extra space for muscle mass. They can reach speeds of 125 kilometers per hour. And their large flocks ensure safety in numbers and more eyes on the lookout. While pigeons play a starring role in urban wildlife, we’re not always enthusiastic neighbors. In 1966, New York’s parks commissioner coined the term “rats with wings” and it stuck.