A Homer Pigeon typically lives 10–15 years. Most of what determines whether it gets there is routine care rather than anything dramatic.
What “intelligent” means day to day
The Homer Pigeon is described as intelligent, hardy. Of those, intelligent is the one that shapes an ordinary day most. It is easy to read as a selling point and harder to live with than the word suggests, because it does not switch off when you are busy.
Find an avian vet before you need one
Many small-animal clinics do not treat birds at all. Establish who does, in your city, in the first fortnight.
Air and environment
Fumes from non-stick cookware, incense, aerosols and smoke are genuinely dangerous to birds.
A breed from Belgium, living in India
The Homer Pigeon was developed in Belgium. The part that travels badly is rarely temperament - it is the coat and the tolerance for heat. Plan the year around that and most of the rest follows.
Planning for about 12 years
A Homer Pigeon is with you for about 12 years. Budget and routine both need to survive that, including the last quarter of it when a medium bird needs more veterinary attention than it did young.
Balancing intelligent against hardy
Breeds described as both intelligent and hardy need the two managed together rather than separately. With a medium bird that usually means a predictable routine first and training second - the routine is what makes the training stick.
The annual check
Once a year for an adult bird, and book it before the hot months rather than during them.
