From wartime heroes to ‘rats of the sky’, the reputation of pigeons has shifted dramatically across centuries. But a new generation of pigeon fanciers is on a mission to showcase the hidden talents of the former feathered war hero.
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00:00Breeding and training feathery friends, a passion for the Darling family.
00:08I love getting to form a bond with my pigeons and have a relationship with them.
00:12This pigeon fancier is on a mission to shift the breed's poor reputation by showcasing their unique skills.
00:21So some breeds of pigeons can be trained to essentially dance and they use this to communicate with each other and so you train them essentially to want to communicate with you.
00:37Creating a bond with pigeons requires patience and trust.
00:41Everyone has their own style, whether you click at them, talk to them. I personally, you hear them coo, so I go to imitate them and I found this works quite well.
00:56While breeding pigeons is a fun hobby for Kimberly Darling and her family, in the past they've been used to pass vital messages during wartime.
01:05More than 30 carrier pigeons received the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross during the Second World War.
01:13There are noted cases of birds saving hundreds of lives.
01:20Pigeons are still highly prized, with pigeon fanciers showcasing the birds' abilities.
01:27They dance for their owners. As a judge, I like to see powders performing. That's how they should be judged.
01:34For Kimberly Darling, exhibiting her birds is about sharing knowledge and introducing others to the joy of pigeons.
01:42Some kids, they've never seen a bird or been able to hold a bird and they're always so excited to see how soft the feathers are and it's so wonderful to share that with them.
01:52From wartime heroes to special friends.
01:57For more UN videos visit www.un.org