Anatomical Features of Bones Directly Involved in the Act of Flying in the Homing Pigeon and in the Common Pigeon

Abstract

This study aims to identify distinct morphological features in the skeleton of both the homing pigeon and the common pigeon. The research comprised in this study is intended to enrich the currently existing general data referring to pigeon anatomy and to underline the differences of the two pigeon varieties, the homing one and the common one, regarding bones and their features and the way in which they influence body size, but also their importance in the act of flying. Our findings support the notion of common origins of the domestic pigeon and the homing pigeon. Through this study we have underlined the way in which distinct environmental conditions have led to the evolution of two pigeon varieties with different adaptations. The homing pigeon has adapted in time to progressively longer flights, due to continuously improving food, hygiene and housing conditions. The common pigeon, on the other side, has adapted to a restrictive environment (scarce food of inferior quality, improvised housing and medical conditions).