British racing pigeon ends up 5200 miles away in Panama 'after getting lost'

A British racing pigeon called Houdini got lost on her first race and ended up thousands of miles away in Panama City. The 10 month-old bird had been undertaking a six hour race from Guernsey to Dudley, West Midlands more than five weeks ago. But it failed to arrive and its owner Darren Cubberly, 45, had give up hope the bird would return from the 224 mile trip.

He was surprised to get a phone call this week from Panama City, where the bird had ended up. He was told the bird was alive and healthy despite making the more than 5200 mile trip. It is thought she landed on a ship travelling to the area. The bird had been taken in by Gustavo Ortiz after it landed on his roof. Mr Ortiz rang Mr Cubberly after noticing contact numbers on it.



"I was gobsmacked. I didn't even know where Panama was," Mr Cubberley said. "I've no idea how Houdini got there - I can only assume she hitched a lift on a ship across the Atlantic.” He speculated she was fed on the boat as she appeared in “perfect shape”.

The pigeon, now learning Spanish, will now live with the family in Panama as it is too expensive to transport her home. Mr Ortiz told Mr Cubberley his family were more than happy to have the pigeon. Sid Barkel, secretary of the National Flying Club, said it was a “very unusual” case.