Banded pigeon found

[JSanders10]

Last week at the farm, I found this dead pigeon under the barn and was about to toss it off in the woods when I noticed the bands on the legs.
Turns out the green band indicates the year it was born and banded (2013) as well as the Pigeon Racing Club from which it was flown (Menasha, Wisconsin). The brown band has a electronic ID embedded used for timing the races.

I've called the club to report it dead. Don't know how it died, it looked fine and full of feathers, while all around it were hundreds of other pigeon feathers as if one had been plucked or at least in a fight. Never found another carcass.

Distance from Menasha Wisconsin to the farm in south Alabama is over 900 miles by road (of course Mr. Pigeon probably took the "as the crow flies" route).

 

[HCJtractor]

Guess he lost the race? It will be interesting to see if anyone responds and to find out the story.

 

[Wagtail]

Could be a case of nobbling! I'd preserve the carcass and surrounding area for the ensuing International Racing Pigeon Commission (IRPC) investigation.

Hopefully your property won't be quarantined for too long, the IRPC is a powerful organisation, but you did the right thing reporting the birds demise for the benefit of the pigeon racing community.

 

[JSanders10]

he IRPC is a powerful organisation

Hahahaha, funny. You may be right. I called the guy listed on the internet in Menasha, Wisconsin as the 'club secretary', he was away in Arizona had his deputy call me. Who then said he would call around and see who bird #301 belonged to.

I told him I had named the pigeon "Patty". He didn't get it or laugh.

They have to pull the cold dead pigeon carcass from my fingers now.

 

[George2615]

The pigeon probably had a heart attack after flying 900 miles to your place.

 

[MossRoad]

We found a pigeon wondering around on our company roof. It was banded. Looked sick. Called the club. They said they'd find the owner. Never heard nothing from them ever again. Next day it was dead.