1 of 2 | Racing pigeons, like this one in Portugal, participate in contests that range from 62 miles to more than 800 miles, testing speed and stamina across vast distances. Photo by Nelson Ferreira
June 11 (UPI) -- As tourists in Portugal's historic city of Tomar dodge pigeons swooping for pastry crumbs, breeders across the country are defending a far different image of the bird.
With the racing season entering a critical stretch and international competitions drawing renewed attention, enthusiasts are fighting to preserve a centuries-old tradition they say the public is increasingly misunderstanding.
In lofts scattered across Portugal's countryside, racing pigeons are more than birds. They are athletes, valuable investments and, for many fanciers, members of the family.
That contrast between urban irritation and rural admiration is becoming increasingly relevant as Portugal's pigeon-racing community seeks to preserve one of the country's oldest and most distinctive sporting traditions, while adapting to demographic change, rising costs and shifting public perceptions.
