It is possible for a racing pigeon to out-run the falcon/hawk. The one thing that they don't due is flying around in a circle, like rollers do. They usually fly to another direction faraway from home and later return. Unlike racing pigeon, roller are not that smart. They stick to one area, flying around in circles, which makes it easier for the falcon to catch them again and again. ---------- W.Cha
I myself have never had an older bird caught by a Hawk when it is already in flight. If one of my older birds or a bird that has been chased before is already on the wing...you can forget it. My only hits by a Cooper have been when they are coming in to land or just taking off...I dont even worry if a hawk is after the team in flight...the can outfly a hawk....falcon is a different story...lol...I am just saying what I have witnessed with Coopers...with my birds.
Well said Rock and roll Paul, that has been my experience as well with coopers. I have noticed the homers on the coop see the hawk coming from a distance and they usually take off in a hurry before he arrives.He never has gotten any of my homers.
I have noticed - if i have a homer on the roof with the rollers the homers usually takes off first and the rest of the rollers go with him. I find the homers usually give the other birds the heads up.
I have also had the rollers chased by falcons and it depends how high they are. I have had birds chased and they usually head for a tree or a bush to dive into.
I have a lot of raising homers pass over my house returning from races and have noticed they fly fairly low to the ground . My assumption is they do this to protect themselves from falcons.
I believe pigeons also have great eye sight ... I heard some where that they can also see things coming at them from behind
Homers can easily out fly a Falcon. Both on the climb and in level flight. If and when a Falcon gets or hits one it's on the Dive. Still then a homer will 9 times out of 10 out maneuver the Falcon. Atleast mines do!
I have seen my own rollers out run not just hawks but falcons. Hawks are manageable but falcons are a serious threat. However, my rollers developed a sense when chased by a falcon high up in the sky to dive straight down like an arrow shot from the sky to earth when they are in pursuit. About 20 feet or so from the ground they will break their decent and fly horizontally zigzagging between trees and houses to take the speed and agility advantage from the falcon.
I urge every one who is not prepping their kit for competition to feed their rollers for maintenance rather than performance. So that they can build their strength to out run a predator this time of year. Also, the weather is getting colder at nights and they need more feed to stay warm and stay healthy.
Good advice Jay. With 40 white Homers flying almost every day of the year here,I've only lost one to the henery since January 1st. ---------- Kel. Rum-30 Lofts
