In 2020, a racing pigeon named New Kim was sold at auction for a record-breaking $1.9 million.

In November 2020, the two-year-old female racing pigeon New Kim was sold by the PIPA (Pigeon Paradise) auction house in Belgium. The bidding started at just 200 euros but skyrocketed to 1.6 million euros, which was approximately $1.9 million at the time. This sale surpassed the previous record set in 2019 by a male pigeon named Armando, who sold for $1.4 million.New Kim was bred by Gaston Van de Wouwer, a legendary figure in the sport who was retiring at age 76. The high price was driven by two anonymous Chinese bidders, reflecting the massive growth of pigeon racing in China. In this region, the sport has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry where wealthy enthusiasts place massive bets on professional races.The value of a racing pigeon is determined by its pedigree and its homing ability, which is a complex biological feat. Scientists believe pigeons navigate using a combination of magnetoreception, which detects the Earth's magnetic field, and low-frequency infrasound. They also use visual landmarks and their sense of smell to find their way home over hundreds of miles of unfamiliar territory.Elite birds like New Kim are rarely raced after such a sale because they are too valuable to risk. Instead, they are used exclusively for breeding. A single champion can produce dozens of offspring that inherit the physical stamina and navigational precision required to win international competitions. This biological 'intellectual property' is what justifies the seven-figure price tags in the modern era.