The carrier pigeon has been used as a winged messenger for centuries. They were first used by the Egyptians and the Persians to carry messages some 3,000 years ago. They were also used by the ancient Greeks to carry the names of the winning Olympians to all corners of the empire. And the Emperor Nero used the same method of communication to relay important sporting results and to keep in contact with members of his family.
Identification of a Carrier Pigeon
The carrier pigeon is a domesticated rock pigeon (Columba livia) which is a common sight around city streets. Although the pigeon has adapted extremely well to urban life, some may argue too well as they have reached pest proportions in some towns and cities; the rock, carrier pigeon or homing pigeon as it is also known, is equally at home on farmland and cliff faces.
Commonly seen in small flocks, the birds are seen foraging for food by pecking at the ground and when alarmed will fly into the air in unison, often flying in circles overhead before settling once the perceived danger has passed.
Virtually any colour combination can be seen amongst the flocks of this common bird, but the most predominant colour is blue-grey with two darker wing bands. They weigh between 4.5-6 ounces (230-370g), are about 13 -14 inches (32-35 cm) in length and have a wingspan of 25 inches (63-70) cm. Although the birds only live for 3-4 years in the wild, they have been known to live for up to 30 years in captivity.
Able to reach speeds between 28-80 mph and with an ability to find their way back to their home roost, the carrier pigeon was used to carry messages strapped to their legs and proved invaluable during the Boer War as well as the First and Second World wars.
Medical Message Carrier
Julius Neubronner, (1852 -1932) a German apothecary from Kronberg, near Frankfurt received urgent prescriptions from a nearby sanatorium carried by pigeons. He used the same mode of transport to send medication in tiny phials strapped to their legs.
Surprisingly this mode of transport was taken up by two British hospitals in the late 1970s. Between 1977 and 1983 carrier pigeons were used to transport urgent specimens between Plymouth General Hospital and Devonport Hospital on a daily basis. The practice only stopped when one of the hospitals was closed.
Carrier Pigeon in Use Today
The Eastern Indian state of Orissa still uses 'pigeon post' today. With over 400 police stations stretched over the remote territory, birds were used to carry communications between them. This was the only method of communication between the police stations until the introduction of 2-way radio in 1988, although there are still approximately 700 birds in the employ of the police service today.
The pigeon is the species of animal which is the most decorated with the Dickin medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. To date, 32 medals have been awarded for acts of heroism and bravery.
Sources:
- Allaboutbirds.org
- Natureali.org
- Birding.about.com
- PDSA.com
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Thinkquest.com
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