A Belgian racing pigeon sells for $400,000.
How much would you pay for a pigeon?
A retired racing pigeon set a record when he was auctioned off for 40 thousand dollars in Belgium recently.
The figure far surpassed the racing pigeon's community’s expectations.
The bird, named Bolt, has a winning reputation and came from a highly regarded breeder, but due to the economic situation in Europe wasn’t expected to draw a record price.
The winning bid came from a Chinese race fan, who will likely use the bird for breeding and sell the offspring to racing high rollers.
The event is losing popularity in Europe, but flourishing in Far Eastern countries.
Racing pigeons are homing pigeons that have been bred and nurtured for maximum speed.
Perhaps the most famous pigeon of all time was Cher Ami, the World War I messenger. Despite being shot, he successfully delivered words of warning to headquarters and saved the lives of about 200 soldiers.
The bird lost his leg in the mission and was outfitted with a specially made wooden one before being returned to the United States. After his death, he was stuffed and put on exhibit in the National Museum of American History.
