All About Pigeons

How do we keep the pigeon hobby growing while holding on to what makes it special? Brad Stuckey returns to All About Pigeons for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s pigeon community. We talk about welcoming newcomers, the growing interest in pet pigeons, strengthening clubs, and keeping people involved beyond their first bird or show. We also explore how social med...

Getting started with pigeons can come with plenty of questions, and finding people who can help makes a big difference. This special All About Pigeons compilation brings together four conversations about entering the hobby, learning through experience, and building the community around it. Justin Thompson shares how he revived a pigeon club that had been inactive for more than 20 years. Joshua Toy...

We’re recapping the fun, winners, and community spirit of Pigeonpalooza, then catching up on upcoming shows, racing results, and news from around the pigeon world in Word on the Wire. This episode is brought to you by the National Pigeon Association. Make plans for the 2027 Grand National, January 22–24 in Springfield, Missouri! Learn more at https://www.npausa.com . Keywords: All About Pigeons, W...

What makes a pigeon family worth preserving for generations? Chuck Oshaben joins Phillip to share the story of his father, Ed Oshaben, whose lifelong dedication to Trentons began with a 35-cent pigeon purchased at a Cleveland market in 1933. Chuck takes us inside his father’s loft, sharing childhood memories, breeding practices, and the importance of proving birds at 500 and 600 miles. We explore...

How did homing pigeons carry messages through war zones, across oceans, and out of dense jungles? Phillip talks with Elizabeth G. Macalaster, author of War Pigeons: Winged Couriers in the U.S. Military, 1878–1957 , about the birds and the people who trained them for military service. They discuss how the Army, Navy, and Air Force used pigeons, what made a good military bird, and how mobile lofts w...

Mother Pigeon returns to the All About Pigeons Podcast to discuss Pigeon Religion, the new feature-length documentary from director Troy Vetri. She shares how pigeons became part of her spiritual life, how her Catholic upbringing influenced the playful traditions of Pigeon Religion, and what it means to become a “dovetee.” We also discuss the five-year filmmaking process, caring for hundreds of Ne...

What should you really be feeding your pigeons? In this episode of the All About Pigeons Podcast, Phillip Fry talks with Cody Holden, racing pigeon flyer and Nutrition and Sales Director for Purgrain, about the science behind proper pigeon nutrition. Cody explains how protein, carbohydrates, fats, grains, seeds, minerals, grit, supplements, and clean water affect a pigeon’s health and performance....

This week on Word on the Wire, we’re covering some of the latest news and upcoming events from across the pigeon hobby. We spotlight several outstanding pigeons from the NPA Grand National including champion Giant Homers, American Show Racers, Figuritas and the German Beauty Homer named Best in Show. We also recognize notable Racing Homers, Show Type Racing Homers, Saddle Homers, Oriental Frills,...

In this episode of All About Pigeons, Kerby joins us to explore the history and uncertain future of the North American Roller, a rare flying pigeon strain whose story has been passed from one dedicated fancier to another. We discuss what separates the North American Roller from the Birmingham Roller, including its ability to fly high and remain in the air for long periods, sometimes continuing int...

In this episode of All About Pigeons, we travel across the world to Kerala, India, for a conversation with Mookee breeder Sham of the Mookee Fanciers Association. Sham introduces us to the ancient Indian Mookee pigeon, a fascinating breed known for its distinctive markings, proud posture, and characteristic neck shaking movement. We discuss the growing community of specialty pigeon clubs in India,...

In this episode of All About Pigeons, we explore squabbing, the centuries old practice of raising pigeons for meat. Learn what a squab is, which pigeon breeds have traditionally been raised for food, how breeding pairs and young birds are managed, and why squab was once a common part of American agriculture and fine dining. We also discuss the history, purpose, and modern reality of utility pigeon...

Balfouri, administrator of the Facebook group Pigeons Make the Perfect Pet , joins me to discuss keeping pigeons as companions and shares helpful advice for new pigeon owners. We also tackle the divisions between different parts of the pigeon hobby and why racers, rollers, breeders, pet owners, adopters, and rescuers need to come together as one pigeon community. Pigeons as Pets Facebook Group: ht...

We’re returning to the show pen for another special compilation featuring conversations about fancy pigeon breeds. Experienced breeders and exhibitors share the history and defining characteristics of their breeds, along with advice on breeding, conditioning, judging standards and preparing pigeons for competition. Whether you raise fancy pigeons, exhibit at shows or simply enjoy learning about th...

Brad Stuckey, president of the German Modena Association, joins us to explore the history of the German Modena, its lively personality, breeding and showing, and the incredible variety of colors and markings found within the breed. Brad also explains what separates German Modenas from other Modena breeds and offers advice for anyone interested in getting started. German Modena Facebook Group: http...

What separates a group of Birmingham Rollers from a true championship team? In this episode, Rick Mee returns to the show to break down the advanced principles behind breeding, training, feeding, and managing competition rollers. We discuss why teamwork matters more than individual performers, how family breeding influences kit performance, the role of feed and conditioning before competition, and...

Racing pigeons is a sport built on dedicated fanciers, remarkable birds, and generations of accumulated knowledge. This compilation episode brings together five conversations from the All About Pigeons podcast that explore key aspects of the racing pigeon hobby. Topics include introducing young people to the sport through 4-H programs, the role of electronic hand scanning technology in modern comp...

In this episode, Phillip sits down with artist and pigeon advocate Tina "Mother Pigeon" Pina to discuss her unique approach to changing public perception of one of the world's most misunderstood birds. Through handmade pigeon sculptures, public art installations, puppet shows, children's programs, and her unforgettable street performances, Mother Pigeon has become one of the most...

In this episode of the All About Pigeons Podcast, host Phillip Fry sits down with Mike Temple , Secretary Treasurer of the American Archangel Club, to discuss one of the most beautiful and distinctive breeds in the pigeon hobby: the Archangel pigeon. Known for their brilliant metallic sheen, rich bronze body colors, and striking wing patterns, Archangels have captivated pigeon fanciers for generat...

Word on the Wire is the community news segment of All About Pigeons, bringing pigeon fanciers together from across the country and around the world. Each episode features show results, race results, upcoming events, club news, auctions, swaps, one loft race updates, youth activities, and community announcements from every corner of the hobby. If your club is hosting an event, holding a show, condu...

In this episode of the All About Pigeons Podcast, Phillip Fry sits down with longtime pigeon breeder Kenny Pomona for an in depth discussion on almond pigeons, genetics, breeding strategies, and the lasting influence of Dr. Willard Hollander. Kenny shares how he first became involved in the pigeon hobby, his fascination with almond pigeons, and the journey that led him to become one of the most re...

In this episode of the All About Pigeons Podcast, host Phillip Fry sits down with Mike Hughes, President of the Horseman Pouter Club of North America, to explore one of the most fascinating breeds in the pigeon world. Mike shares the history of the Horseman Pouter, its origins in Scotland and England, the unique thief flying competitions where birds lure rivals back to their lofts, and the efforts...

In this episode of the All About Pigeons Podcast, Phillip sits down with Joshua Toy, a brand new pigeon flyer doing something truly unique: keeping and flying pigeons from a rooftop loft in Philadelphia. Joshua shares the challenges of getting started in the hobby without club connections, building and rebuilding rooftop lofts, dealing with predators in the city, harsh winter weather, breeding iss...

This week on Word on the Wire we take a trip all across the pigeon hobby covering upcoming shows, swaps, auctions, lawn shows, race results, and community events happening from coast to coast. We spend some time spotlighting PigeonPalooza 2026 in Snowflake, Arizona, including the growing excitement around the cooing contest, specialty breed participation, food trucks, raffles, and the overall visi...

Returning guest Bill Weima joins the All About Pigeons Podcast for an important discussion about pigeon policies, bylaws, and regulations affecting pigeon fanciers across North America. Bill shares his firsthand experience dealing with municipal enforcement in Ontario, Canada, where local officials attempted to classify racing pigeons as livestock under zoning regulations. We discuss how these pol...

This episode is a compilation of conversations that explore different sides of the pigeon hobby. Some of these topics do not fit neatly into one category, but they all connect back to the bigger picture of what makes pigeons and the people involved with them so interesting. From history, to science, to important discussions that affect pigeon keepers everywhere, this episode embraces what All Abou...