ID help on a larger bird

Hello everyone, found this guy in the backyard today, has the bands, every bit of 16" tall, with 4" of white on the end of the wings, beautiful bird, will post some more later if anyone knows what this pretty guy is, I would appreciate it. Hope it is not an escaped pet.

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p792094674/e​3014a124

It's a racing pigeon (homing pigeon I believe )
More specifically, it looks a lot like a "Dark Chequer Pied hen"

But an enthusiast will likely spot my guess as incorrect.

You can likely find the owner here;
http://www.shuonline.c​o.uk/index.php
http://www.pigeon.org/​lostbirdinfo.htm

your bird is Scottish Homing Union


Your image is so clear, it was easy to read the band info. Nice shot!

Thanks Jake, Do they race them on this side of the pond? Here is one more

IMAGE LINK: http://bretgoddard.zen​folio.com/p792094674/e​1ae48b3b

Wow, he is beautiful! Would love to hear his story!

Which side? I'm not familiar with which side of the pond Middle Earth is located?

My second link is the US club, the first is in Scotland.


Here's a cool map to see the long distances traveled;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/n​ews/magazine-21140526

Doesn't look like a Homer to me but then again different birds on the other side of the pond.

Heh Heh, very good, lol. The Virginia side, I tried to submit a stray report but cannot submit unless the bird is contained!

Its a beauty.