Pigeons are beautiful, noble birds, which together with people inhabited the whole world. Since ancient times, mankind has tried to domesticate them and use them for various purposes. One of the most unique and unusual creatures ever bred by man is considered to be high-flying pigeons, which for many centuries served as heralds and postmen, and today bring real aesthetic pleasure with their breathtaking aerial "views".
Feature of high flying pigeons
High-rise pigeons are a special breed of birds, which is characterized by high levels of maximum altitude of the flight and its duration.
Did you know? The world record for the duration of the flight set the British pigeons in 1963. Their journey time was 20 hours and 10 minutes. While the average flight time of high-flying birds is 2-6 o'clock.In ancient times, the main requirements for birds were:
- flight duration;
- height.
Today, more and more attention has been paid to the exterior type of birds: the structure of the body, the color of the plumage, the shape of the head, etc. Representatives of this breed are characterized by good orientation, quick adaptation to the regime, undemanding to conditions of detention, ease and simplicity in nutrition. 
High pigeons are easily distinguished by their unique body structure, in which all parts are subject to flight. Birds have small compact size, streamlined body, well-developed chest, small head, long, strong wings, tight to the body.
Check out the common species and breeds of pigeons.
Birds "high flight" is divided into three types:
- simple: Birds, which retain their flying qualities to the maximum, are characteristic of their ancient ancestors. They are characterized by the highest and longest flights;
- stately: pigeons, which are distinguished by high exterior qualities close to decorative, but low flying characteristics. Their representatives are used to participate in various exhibitions;
- battle: got its name because of the unusual manner of flight - the birds for a long time tumble in the air, and then almost vertically climb up.
As for the altitude, this characteristic is slightly subjective. There are special standards that govern judges during international competitions, based on an analysis of the size of the pigeon in the sky:
- the height of the bell tower - 80-120 m;
- the bird has a lark size - 200-400 m;
- sparrow size - 400-600 m;
- the size with a butterfly - 600-800 m;
- a small point in the sky - 800-1000 m.
- you can not see a bird without optics - above 1500-1700 m.
We recommend reading about what diseases you can get from pigeons, how to find out the sex of a pigeon, as well as how long pigeons live on the outside and at home.
Modern pigeons rarely rise above the "point flickering in the sky," because, due to the lack of training and the poor ecological situation, they gradually lose their flight properties. Flight times have also decreased, which averages 2-3 hours. 
Flight style
High-pigeon breeds of pigeons are distinguished not only by the height and duration of flights, but also by the style of flight.
Circling
With a flying style of flying, pigeons rise in circles to a certain height and stay on the same trajectory for a long time. The advantage of this style is that the bird uses its power sparingly and, thus, is able to stay in the sky for a long period of time. 
Resistant
Persistent style involves climbing without circles. Having reached a certain level, the bird “hangs” in the air, as it were, and remains standing at one point. This style also makes it possible to achieve a longer stay in the sky.
Different types of rocks
There are many breeds of high-flying pigeons, which differ in appearance, origin, flight characteristics.
Main
Breeds of pigeons often have local meaning, which is reflected in their name. Many regions and many countries of the world can boast of their high-flying birds.
Perm
Despite the name, the Permian breed was bred in the last century in Yekaterinburg. Today, its representatives have found wide distribution in the Urals, Siberia, and Kazakhstan. 
A special feature of the birds is a rather large, elongated body, a low-set, small, round head with yellow eyes and a neat beak.
The Permians are distinguished by a well-developed chest, powerful and large wings, tightly pressed against the body. The colors of birds are different: black with a bluish tint, blue, brown or white.
The maximum time Permian stay in the air is 6 hours. At the same time, their style is not particularly complex: they just rise to the height without making any changes or turns.
Sverdlovsk
Representatives of the Sverdlovsk breed boast a long, strong and powerful body up to 37 cm, a small head with yellow eyes and a small narrow beak. The body is covered with white, black or combined plumage, on some of the heads you can see a small forelock. 
The limbs of the bird are small, without feathers. The tail is small and narrow. Flights Sverdlovsk pigeons make groups, but at an altitude fly one at a time. Flight time rarely exceeds 4-6 hours. In this case, they simply take off, without figures and turns. The most widespread Sverdlovsk birds acquired in Kazakhstan, Siberia, the Volga region.
You will probably be interested to read about where you can see the pigeons chicks, as well as how to properly and reliably discourage pigeons from the balcony.
Serbian
The bare-legged turmans with a beautiful tuft on their heads are the bright representatives of Serbian pigeons. According to some sources, the birds were bred in Belgrade, from where they got their name. However, many blue scientists claim that the Turks brought them to the country.
Birds have a small body, a characteristic tuft on the back of the head, a very short powerful neck that immediately passes into the chest, dense long wings, well fitting to the body. 
The plumage is different: from white to black and blue. “Serbs” on average carry out 5-7-hour flights. Some specimens may remain in the sky for more than 10 hours.
Budapest
Budapest birds, which are called "turmans" - are flocks, they make their flight in flocks, and so dense that no individual is able to come off. Air travel lasts about 5 hours in sight and at least another hour outside it.
The birds of this species have a small body, a neat, smooth head, on which a small beak flaunts, slightly curved at the tip. The plumage of Turmans is different - white, stork, white with a wreath, etc. 
Limbs powerful and short. They are very active, strong and enduring. In some cases, the sky can spend time up to 10 hours.
Important! It is considered a disadvantage if the turman detaches from its flight during the flight. Such birds are subsequently discarded.
Hungarian
Hungarian birds belong to meat breeds, they are distinguished by a rather massive build, with a large weight of about 1 kg, therefore they are poorly adapted for long flights.
But, at the same time, the birds have a well-developed parental instinct, remarkably incubate and feed the offspring. “Hungarians” are well oriented in space, remember the way home, they can return, even hundreds of kilometers away. 
Doves Prikamye
Pigeons of the Kama region have many different subspecies inside the species; however, all birds are united by a small body size, a small rounded head with a neat beak. Extremities of red color, nails - light. Birds are well oriented in space, unpretentious in nutrition and care, easy to maintain, endowed with highly developed parental instinct.
It will be useful for you to learn how to make a pigeon feeder and build a dovecap with your own hands.
It is for the breed that many blue breeders have fallen in love with. Birds of the species of the Kama region fly in flocks, own different styles - butterflies and sickle, thanks to which they easily and quickly conquer new ranges. 
Mordovian
On the origin of Mordovian birds, only the fact that they were bred in the territory of Mordovia is known. Representatives of this species are distinguished by a white or variegated color of plumage, a small, slightly elongated body, a small head with a round forehead and small eyes of a yellow shade.
Important! A distinctive feature of the Mordovian pigeons is their attachment to the house and dovecote. They would even spend the winter on a new place, then in the spring they would certainly go in search of their old dwelling.Birds have a very spectacular appearance. They fly in circles, orient themselves remarkably, can spend up to 7 hours in the sky at a rather high altitude.
Bugulminskie
Bugulma or Chistopol pigeons are the leaders among all species of high-flying birds. They have white plumage, but on the back of the head there is a black mane. It is due to this color they are called grivnas. Grivunas are distinguished by external grace, good spatial orientation, endurance, and a powerful constitution.
Bugulms begin their flight in flocks, then the strongest and strongest climb up, and those that are weaker remain or fall to the ground. In the sky, they can be quite a long time, 7-10 hours. Hryvunas are very attached to the house, almost never take root in other people's dovecotes, they always find their way to their native place. 
Nikolaevsk
Breed of Nikolaev pigeons was first registered at the beginning of the last century on the territory of Ukraine, the city of Nikolaev. Representatives of the breed have an elongated body of medium size, slightly raised, well-developed chest, neat head with brown eyes and a long, thin beak.
Read more about what pigeons eat at home, how to feed pigeons, and what vitamins are better to give pigeons.
There are birds with the most diverse plumage: white, yellow, black, red, cherry. Flying pigeons carried out without performing circles in a straight line, rapidly gaining height. They rise to the sky like a larks or butterflies. 
Bocky
The battle pigeons, as if real fighters, make many rolls during the flight, actively flapping their wings. Such an extraordinary sight attracts and surprises. However, before the birds enjoy such unique flights, they need long training. The best live breeds come from the Turkish Republic, the Caucasus, Central Asia.
Learn more about the battle pigeons.
Pakistani
Pakistani or Indo-Pakistani pigeons have a slightly dry, slender body, but a rather powerful and strong chest. The color of feathering is different: marble, black, white. "Pakistanis" have a good orientation, can be in the sky for a long time. 
The style of their flight truly mesmerizes: the bird stops, spreads its tail like a fan, then rapidly gains altitude, simultaneously loudly tapping its wings. Such an amazing game alternates with circular flights, which last about 5-7 hours.
Birds are easy to care for and not food demanding. However, their departures take a lot of energy, so the menu needs to be well balanced.
Baku
Representatives of the Baku pigeons are considered the most beautiful among the high-flying birds. They have a strong, streamlined shape, elongated head, thin beak, neat neck with a beautiful bend. Plumage color - white, black, mixed. 
But the appearance of the birds does not matter much. Their main "chip" is going to the pillar during the flight and the hanging fight, which they perfectly demonstrate, flying apart in single pieces. For the first time the birds were bred on the territory of Baku, and later spread to many countries of the post-Soviet space.
Read more about Baku pigeons.
Pugachev
Despite their ancient origins, the Pugachev pigeons still do not have official status. This is due to the fact that the species diversity of birds makes it impossible to finally determine their characteristic qualities and standard build.
Among the species you can find representatives with different color and constitution, various genetic instincts, style of flight, etc. Nevertheless, the birds have an external attractiveness, beautiful summer, are very simple and undemanding to care, not capricious in the diet. They have a remarkable orientation in the air. 
Iranian
The Iranian breed of pigeons is one of their oldest on the planet. All representatives of Iranian birds have an elongated, rather strong body, round head without feathering or with a small tuft at the back of the head.
Did you know? The first mentions of Iranian birds keep thousands of years of sources, which stated that the breeders of ancient Persia bred a unique breed of pigeons, which fascinated not only with their magnificent views, but also with the extraordinary beauty of flight.The beak of birds is long, slightly curved at the tip. The color of birds is different: you can meet completely black or white birds, almond, gray, yellow, etc. The tail is long, it must be at least 12 feathers.
In flight, the birds are slow and very calm. Obligatory elements of the flight are considered: going to the pole for a few seconds and the battle that can be heard, even at very high altitude. The flight properties of pigeons are estimated by the duration of the flight, it must be at least 3 hours. Some specimens can travel in the sky for up to 10 hours.
Pigeons takla
Pigeons of the Takla breed are remarkable for their stamina and endurance. They are very frisky in flight, they like to tumble, stay in the sky for a long time, which is fraught with a loss of coordination, which in turn can be fatal.
Read the description and features of the content of Takla pigeons.Some members of the breed can stay in the air for much longer than their nearest gathering, over 10 hours.
Tehran (Persian)
Tehran pigeons hit a variety of colors. In appearance, they look more like a hawk, have a similar constitution, have a strong chest, a small rounded head, a short but powerful beak, long, strong wings, whose reach can reach up to 70 cm.
A characteristic feature of the flight of Persian birds is considered an active battle with a further exit to the pole. Also, pigeons are able to climb to the height of the "fly" and hang there for a few minutes. "Tehranians" are a subspecies of the Iranian flyers. 
Large and tiny, massive and neat, black or white, calm or nimble - high flying pigeons are amazing birds that have been loved by many for exciting flights and unique flying “shows” in the air.
The birds, despite their excellent qualities and the ability to demonstrate exclusive figures in the sky, are unpretentious in care and maintenance, do not require special food, quickly become accustomed to the regime and remain faithful to their home for ever.
