Mike Tyson and Pigeons

SI Staff | Mar 4, 2011

Mike Tyson and Pigeons

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Pigeons have been a constant in Mike Tyson's life from his childhood. Now, in the new Animal Planet series Taking On Tyson (which premieres March 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT), the former heavyweight champion will go beyond just raising the birds into the highly competitive world of pigeon racing. Here's a look at Tyson's affinity for pigeons through the years.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Casual portrait of Tyson outside of his pigeon coop at the home of his surrogate mother Camille Ewald in upstate New York.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson outside of his pigeon coop.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson working with the birds outside of his pigeon coop.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Casual portrait of Tyson holding pigeons in each hand.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson inside of his pigeon coop at Ewald's home.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson holding pigeons in each hand.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson inside of his pigeon coop.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson holding pigeons in each hand.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson holding pigeons in each hand.

1985

Manny Millan/SI

Tyson outside of his pigeon coop.

1988

Bob Sacha/SI

Tyson holding a pigeon outside his home in Bernardsville, N.J., at the height of his championship reign.

2004

AP

Tyson plays with a bird outside his training camp in Phoenix, Ariz., near the end of his fighting career.

2010

AP

Tyson watches racing pigeons fly near a rooftop coop in Jersey City, N.J.

2010

AP

Tyson points to flying birds as he stands in the construction of a rooftop pigeon coop in Jersey City, N.J.

2010

Courtesy of Animal Planet

Tyson posing with a pigeon during filming of his new Animal Planet seties.

2011

Courtesy of Animal Planet

Tyson looking at pigeons in a publicity photograph for Taking On Tyson .

2011

Courtesy of Animal Planet

Tyson gazing at a bird in a publicity photograph for Taking On Tyson .