The international criminal networks stealing pricey pigeons

60 Minutes - Newsmakers The Pigeon Mafia: International criminal networks are stealing high-priced pigeons .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-60-minutes.jpg'); } By Sharyn Alfonsi, Sharyn Alfonsi Correspondent, 60 Minutes Sharyn Alfonsi is an award-winning correspondent for 60 Minutes. Read Full Bio Sharyn Alfonsi, Guy Campanile Guy Campanile Guy Campanile is a veteran producer for 60 Minutes. In more than 35 years at CBS News, he reported on major stories including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the war against terrorism, the Great Recession, and seven U.S. presidential races. Read Full Bio Guy Campanile April 26, 2026 / 7:00 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google 60 Minutes has reported on plenty of high-profile crimes before — but nothing like the "fowl play" involving the Columba livia domestica. That's not some international crime syndicate. That's the scientific name for pigeons, and they're being stolen. We're talking about elite racing pigeons. The finest compete at international events in which they are released far from home and must find their way back. As prizes have risen up into the millions, the birds have become targets for what insiders call -- "the pigeon mafia."The Flemish region of Belgium is a land of medieval towers and fine chocolate. It's also home to some of the most sought-after birds on earth. Yup – these guys.What Kentucky is to thoroughbred horses, Belgium is to racing pigeons. and there are few better at breeding a champion than Tom Van Gaver. where some see a bird that looks like it's trying to remember how to breathe, Van Gaver sees an elite athlete with a calculating gaze. Sharyn Alfonsi: What makes this pigeon a great racer?Tom Van Gaver: Yeah, he has everything a good racer need to have. But of course we cannot look in the head. You can have a very smart pigeon, but when the body is not strong enough, his head want to go home. But-- the body cannot follow the others, so..Va...