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Although he has raised them for 48 years, Mackey can't explain the homing sense of a pigeon. Scientists can't explain it either.
"Some thought that pigeons can detect the earth's magnetic field," he said. "But they've taken observatories, reversed all the polarities and magnets, even blindfolded the pigeons, and they still home.'"
Hindus attribute the bird's unique sense of direction to telepathy.
One thing scientists do know is that pigeons have excellent vision, see color and are especially attracted to bright hues.
"During the Vietnam War, pigeons trained just to detect orange would fly in rescue helicopters. Even through the fog, when a human's eye couldn't see, these pigeons could detect orange, in this case the flotation devices of the soldiers dropped in the river. The pigeons would peck to be rewarded with food, and the pilots would fly down and rescue the men," explained Mackey, who served his time in the military.
"I think in today's world we are rapidly losing our sense of communication," he said. "We've got our kids glued in front of a TV set or playing computer or video games... all done in isolation."
Mackey's solution is for young children to raise pigeons. "It will greatly enhance their communication, and I'm not just talking about sending messages through the air.
"The young people can communicate with these birds; they form a bond, and the pigeon is the most loyal pet you can get. They are gentle creatures and appreciate any affection you give them.
"Contrary to popular myth, they are not disease carriers. They are cheap to raise and it teaches young people responsibility when they have to feed, water and care for them," he said.
As with their homing ability, Mackey can't explain the phenomenon that bonds pigeons with mentally retarded children.
"Just like they can pick out their home, no matter where they are, a pigeon can single out a mentally retarded child and gravitate towards it," Mackey said. "Even autistic children who don't speak and keep everything within their own world, have been known to talk and communicate as they pet and cuddle a pigeon. It's like there is some mystical bond there."
On a lesser degree, Mackey finds a bond of camaraderie exists among pigeon owners. Over 3 million people in the United States alone keep pigeons... doesn't matter if you are young or old, rich or poor, you are accepted in that camaraderie.
"I have watched that kind of acceptance really help a youngster's positive development and self-esteem," said Mackey speaking from experience.
When he was 11, he climbed the rafters of on old warehouse and caught two pigeons. An older neighbor with pigeons taught him how to raise the pair, opening up a whole new fellowship of other pigeon owners all over the world.
"From that first pair I was hooked," he said, learning that a breeder is really a geneticist. Mackey has the only bald-headed almonds in the United States. "I keep surrogate parents for them because their beaks are too short to break the egg."
While there are 86 breeds of horses, 103 breeds of dogs, 200 breeds of gold fish, there are 319 breeds of pigeons, according to Mackey. All of the various breeds and varieties of modern domestic pigeons are believed to have been developed from the wild rock pigeon of Eurasia.
There are even Biblical references to pigeons. Joseph, Jesus's father, kept pigeons, Mackey said.
"Joseph's father was a carpenter. You'll find a lot of carpenters, even in today's world, who keep pigeons," said Mackey, who is one of those skilled craftsmen.
Raising pigeons for utility, performing, or for fancy can be the perfect family sport. Mackey said his wireless technology, rather than isolating one with a computer, can also strengthen family communications.
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