Pigeons are known for their ability to navigate long distances and return home with precision. But how do they avoid crashing into obstacles along the way?

A new study from the University of Cambridge suggests that pigeons have a special skill called "lobbing" that helps them avoid collisions. Lobbing is a technique used by pilots to avoid crashing into obstacles by flying over them at a high angle of attack.

The researchers found that pigeons use lobbing when flying through cluttered environments, such as forests or cities. They do this by increasing their angle of attack and reducing their airspeed, which allows them to fly over obstacles without losing too much altitude.

The study's findings could help to explain how pigeons are able to navigate such complex environments without crashing. They could also have implications for the design of drones and other autonomous vehicles.

Here are some additional details about the study:

* The researchers used high-speed cameras to record the flight paths of pigeons flying through cluttered environments.

* They found that pigeons used lobbing when flying over obstacles that were at least 2 meters tall.

* Pigeons that used lobbing were less likely to crash into obstacles than pigeons that did not use lobbing.

* The researchers also found that pigeons were more likely to use lobbing when they were flying at high speeds.

These findings suggest that lobbing is an important skill that helps pigeons avoid crashing into obstacles. This skill could also be used by drones and other autonomous vehicles to navigate complex environments.