Pigeons Do Backflips? How Genetics Makes Them Flip!

Why do some pigeons somersault on the ground or in the air? In this video, Alex Dainis explains the genetics of roller pigeons. Roller pigeons are pigeons that flip or tumble as they move. This unique trait is caused by a recessive gene, which means that if you breed a roller pigeon with a non-roller pigeon, the resulting offspring will not somersault. Pigeon genetics are well known because of their history as a subject of special hobby breeding, but scientists are still learning more: recently a study isolated five specific DNA regions that might be responsible for the rolling behavior!