How do trainers get pigeons to race? Kuya Kim explains

Pigeons have been known to carry messages for centuries, but did you know that they are also capable of racing each other in the sky?

In Monday's episode of "24 Oras," Kuya Kim shared several trivia on pigeons and their homing ability.

According to Kuya Kim, over 9,500 pigeons were sent by the British to deliver messages across enemy lines during World War I.

Pigeon racing, meanwhile, began in Belgium in 1818. But how exactly do trainers get the birds to fly and compete?

"Bago mag-karera, ipapakita 'yung babae do'n sa lalaki bago pakawalan para bumalik 'yung lalaki dahil sabik makasama ang asawa," Kuya Kim explained.

The Oppa of Trivia also visited the Philippine Homing Pigeon Association (PHA) board chairman Jamie "Jimi" Lim to learn more about pigeon racing.

Jimi, who has over a thousand pigeons, introduced the fastest flier in the country.

"Ang pangalan niya is Delta Bullet. He has the fastest speed ever here in the Philippines. Hindi pa nabe-break sa PHA ang record niya na 1,600 meters per minute," he said.

Meanwhile, the fastest record worldwide is 148 kilometers per hour, which is as fast as a motorcycle.

—Franchesca Viernes/MGP, GMA News