They're plentiful in most cities around the world, with many city-dwellers considering them annoying pests.
But for pigeon enthusiast Paul Burlak, they represent a long and proud racing legacy, with noble ties to the royal family and a proud wartime history.
Today, more than 1,000 of the birds will take flight in an event that will mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mr Burlak, secretary of the Victorian Pigeon Organisation, told ABC Radio Melbourne said they would take part in a race from Mildura to Melbourne.
Mr Burlak said it would take the flock roughly six hours' of flying, today's weather permitting.
The pigeons' ability to find their way home remains something of a mystery.
"That's just something people have been trying to work out … but they think it's to do with the breed," he said.
"You breed them at home, and when you train them up you start taking them out to fly short distances."
The flights range between two to 4km from their homes, as well as regular 'flying time' for exercise.
"They can fly around their local area and you can train them up to fly 100km," Mr Burlak said.
Mr Burlak said competing pigeons were driven out to the start line, before flying home.
Technology then helps to determine race results and placings with returned pigeons walking over a pad placed outside their loft, marking the finish line.
The pad then scans a chip in the pigeons' identification tag and records the birds' times.
Racing in honour of the Queen
The weekend's event will be special, with the organisation choosing to honour Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family's pigeon racing heritage.
"I've been fortunate enough to see the cup already and it's a magnificent prize," Mr Burlak said.
"Whoever wins it will have it in pride of place for the rest of their life."
He said the royal family had been racing pigeons for about 150 years, with the birds playing a pivotal role as messengers in wartime.
"The British forces used the royal family's pigeons as messengers in the wars and one of the famous pigeons is called Royal Blue," he said.
Mr Burlak said Royal Blue had been attacked by a falcon while carrying a message, narrowly escaping death.
“Although injured, it still continued on for 200 miles to deliver the message," he said.
Pigeons that had flown during conflict were appointed the Dickin Medal for their bravery.
Two Australian birds had been bestowed with a Dickin Medal during the conflict with Japan.
"Pigeons have played a great part and for centuries really not just the last two world wars," Mr Burlak said.
