Why Are Pigeons Used As Messengers? The Fascinating History of Pigeons

A time before modern technology, before cell phones, email, and instant messaging. How would you communicate with someone far away? One solution that was used for centuries was the use of messenger pigeons.

These birds were trained to carry messages over long distances and utilized in many scenarios, from wartime to commerce. So, why were pigeons used as messengers?

The answer lies in their unique abilities. Pigeons have a natural homing instinct and can navigate over great distances to return to their home. This trait made them ideal candidates for carrying messages from one location to another.

This article provides insights into messenger pigeons’ history, training, and effectiveness. It also delves into their diverse applications and why they eventually lost popularity. So, join me as I explore the intriguing world of messenger pigeons.

What Makes Pigeons Good Messengers?

Throughout history, pigeons have played a crucial role in communication as reliable messengers, primarily attributed to their innate homing capabilities. However, the versatile avian species also possess a plethora of other qualities that contribute to their effectiveness as message-bearers.

Navigation Skills

These birds have excellent navigation skills, which allows them to find their way back to their home roost from almost anywhere. They can use the sun, stars, and Earth’s magnetic field to navigate.

Research has shown that they have a highly developed sense of magnetoreception, which allows them to detect the Earth’s magnetic field and use it to navigate.

Speed and Efficiency

The fastest and most efficient messengers are pigeons. They can fly up to 700 miles in a single flight at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. This makes them ideal for delivering messages quickly and efficiently.

Resistance to Interference

Pigeons also resist interference, such as electromagnetic signals and radio waves. This is because they rely on their natural navigation abilities, rather than electronic devices or signals, to find their way.

Reliability

As messengers, pigeons are extremely trustworthy. They have a built-in homing instinct, so they will constantly make an effort to return to their usual roost. They are less likely to get lost or take the wrong way, which makes them particularly trustworthy as messengers.

Cost-Effective

Using pigeons as messengers is also very cost-effective. Unlike electronic devices or other forms of communication, they do not require any expensive equipment or maintenance. All that is needed is a small message attached to the pigeon’s leg, and the pigeon will take care of the rest.

The Use of Pigeons As Messengers Throughout History

Using pigeons as messengers have served as a crucial aspect of human history. I shall delve deeper into pigeons’ historical usage as communication conduits.

Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia

Carrier pigeons were used by the ancient Egyptians to deliver messages as early as 2900 BCE. Similarly, in Mesopotamia, King Sargon of Akkad ordered each messenger to carry a homing pigeon.

If the messenger was about to be captured, he released the pigeon, which flew back to the palace. Its arrival meant another messenger should be sent.

Ancient Rome

During the era of ancient Rome, carrier pigeons served as a vital means of disseminating information pertaining to the outcomes of chariot races. Moreover, these avian creatures were utilized to transmit messages during conflict and war.

The Middle Ages

In the epoch of the Middle Ages, military forces employed carrier pigeons to transmit vital messages from one designated location to another.

World War I and II

Pigeons played a crucial role in World War I and II as messengers. They were used to send messages across enemy lines, which were deemed more secure than radio transmissions. In fact, over 100,000 carrier pigeons were used during World War I.

Modern-Day

Although the use of carrier pigeons as messengers have declined, it is still practiced in some areas of the world, particularly in areas with limited communication infrastructure. Carrier pigeons are also used in sporting events, such as pigeon racing.

Are the Symbolic Meanings of Pigeons Connected to Their Use as Messengers?

The symbolic meanings of pigeons as universally recognized symbols are indeed connected to their historical use as messengers. Known for their incredible homing instincts, pigeons have been utilized throughout history to carry messages across long distances. This association with communication and delivery has given pigeons a deeper meaning, symbolizing peace, love, freedom, and even spirituality in various cultures across the world.

Training pigeons As Messengers

The art of training pigeons as messengers is a task that demands a discerning and intricate approach, necessitating the utmost levels of patience, expertise, and commitment. Considered below are a few fundamental elements that must be considered when training pigeons for messaging purposes:

Breeding

To produce the best messenger pigeons, breeders carefully select pigeons with desirable traits, such as intelligence, homing instincts, and endurance. This helps ensure that the pigeons are able to navigate long distances and deliver their messages accurately.

Homeward-Bound Training

To teach pigeons their way back home, trainers use a process called homeward-bound training. This involves gradually increasing the distance that the pigeons fly from their home base until they can fly hundreds of miles and still return home.

Message Delivery Training

Once the pigeons have mastered homeward-bound training, they are taught to carry messages. This involves attaching small containers, called “message capsules,” to the pigeons’ legs or backs and gradually increasing the capsules’ weight until the pigeons can carry full-sized messages.

Conditioning

To ensure that messenger pigeons are in peak physical condition, trainers carefully monitor their diet, exercise, and overall health. They also take steps to protect pigeons from predators and harsh weather conditions.

How Do Messenger Pigeons Know The Right Place?

Conclusion

Pigeons have been used as messengers for generations due to their extraordinary ability to navigate large distances and return to their homes. Using pigeons as messengers have played a crucial role in various historical events, including wars, sports events, and even scientific research.

Training pigeons to become messengers requires patience, consistency, and skillful techniques, but it can result in a loyal and reliable communication system. Despite advancements in technology, the use of pigeons as messengers has not entirely faded away, and they are still used today in some areas where modern communication systems are unavailable.

Pigeons have proven to be more than just birds but also loyal and dependable companions. Their remarkable navigation skills and ability to fly long distances make them an enduring symbol of communication and peace.