I presume it is possible to train a pigeon to a boat on a fixed mooring, right? Or maybe I’m wrong.
Suppose you took the pigeon to a distant location, and released him. Meanwhile you move the boat a short distance. Could he then find his way home? For example if the boat moves 20 metres, and in full view from the original spot?
What if the boat had been moved 200 metres?
The shorter the distance of the move the easier to resettle. 20 meters would make no problem beyond possibly a few days confusion. 200 meters would require resettling. I raised birds myself but never had to resettle any. I know some guys in the white pigeon release business who have had to resettle several times. I forget the time involved but it usually is months depending on the age. They always make sure they have a good crop of young birds going who have not been flown yet before making a move. They also make an agreement usually with the buyers of their property to leave the cages in place for a few months while they complete resettling.
You misunderstand. What if the boat moves between the pigeon release and the pigeon returning?
He would return to the boat’s original spot to find it missing. What then? Would he start searching the area for his home, and recognise it 20 metres or 200 metres away, or would he give up in confusion and despair?
What if a totally different boat took the vacated mooring? Would the pigeon land there thinking it is his home, or would he recognise the difference?