Homing pigeon takes up residence at the Becker farm

More than a week ago, a determined homing pigeon appeared at Mountain View Farm, the Becker family farm in Chester.

As Tom Becker drove his tractor, the pigeon shadowed him. As he walked the land, the pigeon waddled behind him. As he worked in the barn, the pigeon followed after. The pigeon made himself Tom's constant companion.

Tom and his wife, Cindy, checked the tag on the pigeon's leg. It led to a phone number, where they reached a fellow in Long Island who'd sold the homing pigeon but lost the record of the current owner. He thanked the Beckers for taking care of their new friend.

When they first gave the pigeon water, Cindy said, he submerged his entire head and shook it vigorously. Then he drank and drank and drank.

Everyone thought the exhausted pigeon would fly home after a week of recovery. When he seemed ready, the Beckers opened his cage door and waited for him to fly away. But he didn't go anywhere.

He stayed on at the farm — strolling around, cooing, and taking the occasional nap.

A hawk circles above. A fox lives nearby. The Beckers discussed how to protect the pigeon from natural-world marauders. They hope to learn more from a homing pigeon that lives in Warwick.

A history of heroism

So, why did the pigeon land at the Becker farm? The prevailing theory is that he became disoriented while in flight during a recent electrical storm and touched down seeking shelter.

Homing pigeons and humans have been friends for centuries. In addition to their homing ability, they are very fast and can reach high altitudes, which makes them superb military messengers. They were used during both world wars to transport secret messages back to their home coops behind the lines.

The Beckers' pigeon is settling contentedly into his new life. He puffs out his feathers whenever he takes a snooze. When he wakes, he pecks at his always-available multi-grains, then sips some water. The Becker farm, it's safe to say, is now the place he calls home.