Feathered Heists: Global Syndicates Target Million-Dollar Racing Pigeons
60 Minutes investigates the booming, high-stakes world of elite racing pigeons, where prized birds can fetch millions and thieves—sometimes described as a “pigeon mafia”—target lofts across Belgium and beyond. The sport’s rise in prize money, especially in one-loft races, has driven a global market with auction houses like PIPA and giant Chinese demand. Security has intensified with cameras and laser barriers, while DNA testing and genetic databases are now used to identify stolen birds and recover some, including descendants of the famed Finn. Authorities have cracked several cases, convicting multiple suspects, but iconic birds remain missing as the thefts continue to ripple through the sport.