Homing pigeons, also known as carrier pigeons, are a breed of domestic pigeon that possess a remarkable ability to find their way back to their home lofts over long distances. They have been used for centuries for communication, especially during wartime, due to their strong homing instinct and ability to fly at high speeds. These birds are trained from a young age to recognize their home location. They can travel hundreds of miles and return home, making them valuable for sending messages. Homing pigeons are also popular in pigeon racing, where they compete to see which bird can return home the fastest.