A pigeon keeper from Spain, David Fernandez, has experienced a mix of surprise and relief after his missing racing pigeon, identified as No. 9950, resurfaced on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Initially taken from Mallorca to Ibiza for a race on February 22, 2025, Fernandez expected the bird to return home after the approximately 125-kilometer flight. All but one of his 18 pigeons made it back to their dovecote within two hours. However, No. 9950 did not return, leading Fernandez to believe that the young bird had become prey to hawks, which he noted had been particularly aggressive during the race.
About a month later, Fernandez received an unexpected email from Kristina Penn, a Parks Canada employee, informing him that a pigeon with Spanish identification bands had been found on Sable Island, located 160 kilometers off the coast of Nova Scotia. Sable Island is known for its wild horses and serves as a remote research outpost. Recognizing the rarity of pigeons in that area, Penn was eager to investigate further. Through her research, she discovered that No. 9950 belonged to Fernandez.
Fernandez expressed amazement at the bird's journey but was skeptical that it could have flown the nearly 5,100 kilometers from Mallorca to Sable Island. He speculated that the pigeon might have hitched a ride on a cargo ship. Penn noted the bird's resilience, particularly given the journey’s harsh conditions, which underscore the incredible survival skills of these racing pigeons.
Jared Clarke, a specialist in birdwatching and nature tours in Newfoundland, explained that racing pigeons are descended from the common rock pigeon. Over generations, these birds have been selectively bred for speed and endurance. Occasionally, he noted, birds can get lost due to “directional glitches” in their navigation systems. This could explain why No. 9950 ended up so far from its intended destination.
On March 24, 2025, employees at Parks Canada spotted the pigeon on the porch of their main building amid foggy and rainy weather. Noting the bands on its legs, Penn took pictures and researched the bird's origins, which led her to contact the Spanish pigeon sport organization. Upon returning to check on the pigeon the next day, she provided it with food and water, then reached out to Hope for Wildlife, a rescue organization in Seaforth, Nova Scotia, that takes in injured and abandoned animals.
Hope Swinimer, the founder of Hope for Wildlife, reported that the pigeon arrived in poor condition—underweight, slightly dehydrated, and with some bruising. However, it has since shown signs of improvement and a friendly demeanor, suggesting that it was well cared for before its journey. Swinimer expressed confidence that the paperwork surrounding the bird's return to Spain may pose some challenges, indicating that it could remain with the rescue organization alongside two other pigeons for educational purposes.
Fernandez, for his part, expressed that he would not oppose the idea of No. 9950 staying in Canada. He explained that pigeon fanciers typically reserve naming their birds until they win races or exhibit notable characteristics. As for No. 9950, he found it amusing that the rescuers named the bird Peter. He mentioned that he would communicate with the foundation caring for Peter to determine the best course of action, indicating that he would respect their attachment to the bird.
This unique story illustrates not only the resilience of racing pigeons but also highlights the unexpected connections that can be made across continents through such events.
