Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe March 19 (UPI) -- A racing pigeon auctioned online fetched a record-breaking bid of $1.4 million from a Chinese buyer, the auctioneer said. PIPA, the website that organized the auction for Belgian breeder Joel Verschoot, said a pigeon named Armando was purchased by a Chinese buyer for $1.4 million, the highest price ever paid for a racing pigeon. Advertisement The website said it expected Armando, considered to be "the best long distance pigeon of all time," to sell for a large amount, but officials were shocked by the size of the final bid. "This type of champion is rarely offered for sale," the site said. The previous record holder was a pigeon named Nadine, which sold for more than $450,000 at a 2017 auction. The buyer in that case was also a Chinese pigeon enthusiast. Read More New Zealand dubs 'drunk' wood pigeon the Bird of the Year Escaped python eats pigeon at side of London road Surfer rescues drowning pigeon at Florida beach Fare-dodging pigeon prompts panic on New York subway train