UGLJEVIK NATIVE RETURNS FROM SWITZERLAND TO ENJOY LIFE WITH PIGEONS IN HIS HOMETOWN

After spending most of his working life in Switzerland, traveling extensively and experiencing different cultures around the world, Tomislav Perić never forgot his roots. His hometown of Ugljevik always remained close to his heart, and once he had the opportunity, he returned home to fulfill a childhood dream – raising pigeons.

PHOTO: Bijeljina info

Today, Perić’s yard is home to around 40 pigeons, and he hopes to pass on his passion for the birds to future generations of his family.

Tomislav now spends his retirement in the household he carefully built over the years, dedicating every sunny day to caring for his birds and creating a peaceful environment where his grandchildren will one day enjoy nature and animals. His flock includes several fascinating varieties, among them high-flying pigeons, tumblers, fan-tailed pigeons, and various crossbreeds.

“I had to learn a lot about pigeons, but when you truly love something, nothing is difficult. Other pigeon breeders and the internet were a great source of knowledge. Crossbreeds between high-flyers and tumblers are especially interesting and rewarding. Watching them return to the ground while performing aerial rolls is a real pleasure,” Perić told InfoBijeljina.

Among his favorite birds are fan-tailed pigeons, known for their elegant appearance and decorative value.

“They are an ornament to every aviary. Their unique look makes them one of the most popular ornamental pigeon breeds. They carry themselves with remarkable elegance, with prominent chests and heads often tilted backward, almost touching their tails. I have them in several colors, including gray, brown, and reddish shades. They reproduce quickly. I started with four pairs last year, and now I have twenty. I haven’t trained them yet, but I hope to teach at least the younger ones some basic skills. They are very intelligent birds,” he said.

Perić fondly recalls his childhood, when a simple whistle was enough to call his pigeons and have them land on his shoulder.

The cooing of pigeons now marks the beginning of each of his days. He plans to expand his collection with additional breeds and enlarge the aviary to accommodate them. However, pigeons are not his only passion. His yard already includes laying hens that provide fresh eggs and an ornamental rooster, while turkeys are next on his list.

According to Perić, nothing can replace the feeling of being in one’s homeland. And when returning home also means fulfilling dreams that have lasted since childhood, happiness becomes complete.

The years spent working abroad, he says, have paid off. Now is the time to enjoy a quieter pace of life and devote himself to hobbies that he never had time for during his long and successful career.