Quiz : Lessons from the Loft

What you know about pigeons could make you a winner in pigeon-racing circles. Get ahead of the competition, and test your pigeon-fact prowess with our quiz.

1. What is the correct name for a baby pigeon?

Squab

Chick

Starling

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A baby pigeon is called a squab. Pigeons begin to fly at 4 weeks old, but they don’t start racing for the first six months.

The pigeon is one of the few species of animal able to recognize its own reflection in the mirror.

True

False

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Pigeons have been credited with an intelligence similar to a 3-year-old child, and a University of Montana study found they’re one of the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom.

Where did modern pigeon racing originate?

United States

United Kingdom

Belgium

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Modern pigeon racing originated in Belgium. And today, people still believe the Belgians to be the best homing-pigeon breeders in the world.

Pigeon droppings can be used to create which man-made substance?

Gunpowder

Cement

Nylon

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In 16th-century England, pigeon droppings were the main source of potassium nitrate, the oxidizing agent that gives gunpowder its bang.

The Dickin Medal, the highest honor in the United Kingdom for animals serving in war, was awarded to 54 animals during World War II. How many were given to pigeons?

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Pigeons were used to carry important messages over enemy lines. G.I. Joe, a pigeon of the United States Army Pigeon Service, saved more than 1,000 lives in 1943, when the message it carried stopped the Allies from bombing the Italian village Colvi Vecchia, which had just been captured by the British 56th Brigade.

What is the fastest recorded speed of a racing pigeon?

60 mph

85 mph

110 mph

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In 1965, in a wind-assisted 40-mile race, a bird was recorded traveling at 3,229 yards per minute, covering the 100 yards of an American football field every 2 seconds!

Male pigeons have which surprising ability usually attributed to females in the animal kingdom?

They can lay eggs.

They can create milk.

They can coo less.

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Both male and female pigeons have a special gland at the bottom of the esophagus to create highly nutritious "crop milk," which they feed to squabs for their first week after hatching.

A pigeon’s beak gives it a rare ability. What is it?

Ability to breathe underwater

Ability to suck up water like a straw

Ability to chew

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The ability to suck water through its beak like a straw allows the pigeon to drink from more water sources than other birds, including small puddles, cracks between rocks and crevices in tree trunks.

What is the scientific name for the pigeon?

Pigeonus maximus

Columba livia

Dovus domestica

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Columba is Latin for dove or pigeon. Livia comes from the Latin lividus, "to be bluish," for the bird's blue-gray coloring.

On average, how many taste buds does a pigeon have?

370

3,700

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Pigeons only have an average of 37 taste buds, while we have an average of 10,000. So the next time you see a pigeon picking through the trash, remember that they probably can’t taste what they're eating

Correct

Terrible. As members of Tyson’s team say, “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” Try again.

Correct

Not bad. You probably need a bit more training.

Correct

Excellent! You may be able to take on Tyson with your pigeon knowledge.

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