A Brief History of Homing Pigeons

Rock Pigeons, or Rock Doves, are found all over downtown St. Louis and in most cities around the United States.

Pigeons perched (photo: the wikipedia files)

They are commonly considered a nuisance and even a potential health hazard in urban settings, but some of these birds have a distinguished history. Pigeons have been domesticated for thousands of years, and during this time have been used for multiple purposes, such as carrying messages.

Pigeons that were used to carry messages all had a common ability – the ability to find their way back to the same location even over long distances. Wild pigeons have this innate ability to a degree, but the pigeons we refer to as homing pigeons have been selectively bred for this trait.

Three thousand years ago, homing pigeons were carrying communications from one location to another. Of course, homing pigeons can only find their way back to one “home,” so pigeons were a one-way line of communication.

Pigeon in flight (photo: the wikipedia files)

 Homing pigeons were especially useful in times of war. During World War I and World War II pigeons were used to carry messages from the front lines. Pigeons were more difficult to intercept than radio transmissions. Even in the 21^st century, homing pigeons have been used to carry messages by certain police departments in India; however, in 2002 the pigeon messenger system used by these departments was discontinued.

 

WBS Homing Pigeons have often been released at weddings (photo: Gay Schroer)

Although homing pigeons are not often used to carry messages anymore, they can still be used for a number of fun occasions. At World Bird Sanctuary we have our own small flock of homing pigeons. Available for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events, our homing pigeon releases are a beautiful addition to any occasion.

For more information or to book a Homing Pigeon release at your event call the World Bird Sanctuary at 636-225-4390.

Submitted by JoHanna Burton, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Homing Pigeons Are Dedicated Parents

Homing Pigeons can lay eggs any month of the year.  January and February can seem quite cold, but we here at the World Bird Sanctuary have had our Homing Pigeons laying eggs even in the traditionally coldest months in Missouri.

One of the birds from our Homing Pigeon flock (photo: Mike Zieloski)

We have even had one hatch in January.  Can you imagine the dedication the parent birds must have to hatch an egg when some nights are below freezing?  And I did mention birds (plural), because both the male and the female incubate the eggs.   My Pigeon mentor, Charlie Klipsch, told me that both parents take turns at incubating and brooding (keeping the chicks warm).

I’ve also noticed that at certain times almost all the hens (females) were taking their turns at incubating at almost the same time.  And other times when you go into the pigeon Loft, all the cocks (males) would be on the eggs.

The eggs aren't much bigger than a quarter (photo: Mike Zieloski)

The eggs take 17 days to hatch.  The females lay 2 white eggs, slightly bigger than a quarter.  The babies grow so fast that they seem to double in size each of the first 5 days.  Once the babies are 27 days old, they look like the parents, with fully feathered bodies.

Our Homing Pigeons are available to come to your event.  The last event the birds participated in was a person’s Surprise 50^th Birthday Party.  Everyone enjoyed learning about Homing Pigeons and watching the birds take off into the sky.

You may call 636-225-4390 x101 if you would like to schedule the birds for your next event.

Story by Michael Zeloski, Director of Education, World Bird Sanctuary.

Pigeon Release at Boys Summer Camp

Recently The Spring Bluff Baptist Boys Summer Camp hired WBS to present a program for the boys at camp.

WBS intern Ashley Epperson from Marshfield, Missouri, and I brought birds of prey to their camp, to share with them some cool facts about the birds.

Naturalist Mike Zieloski tells the boys some of the fascinating statistics about Homing Pigeons

In addition to the birds they requested for the program I brought our Homing Pigeons along for an extra long exercise flight. I figured that the birds would have to fly about 40 air miles to get back to the loft at World Bird Sanctuary. I was excited to fly the pigeons this distance because prior to that the birds’ long distance record has been 35 air miles. So I wanted to break our record for distance flown back to WBS.

Some of the boys already knew about "Messenger Pigeons"

We had all the boys and adult leaders gather behind the Pigeon release baskets.  We talked with the boys about the Pigeons’ homing ability, and how the birds are in tune with the sun and the earth's electromagnetic field. The birds have extra magnetic tissue in their brains. 

Some of the boys at camp knew about the birds being used as "Messenger" Pigeons throughout history. Some of the men and some of the boys knew that during World Wars I and II the Allies and the Germans used "Messenger" Pigeons. The Allies would try to shoot down the Germans pigeons or try to capture them with the aid of a Peregrine Falcon, to intercept or interrupt the message being sent, and vice versa.  Some of the most famous Pigeons are in the Homing Pigeon Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

We told the boys that the fastest pigeons average about 45 miles per hour.

Two of the boys get set to release the pigeons

We picked a couple of young boys to flop open the Release Baskets. We decided that we would yell "Set Sail" as that was the theme for Camp this year.

So Ashley Epperson got into position with her cell phone camera and we had the boys release the birds. We all yelled, ”Set Sail!!” as the birds took off and headed for home.  The boys thought this was great fun.

Everyone yelled "Set Sail" as the birds began their journey back to the loft at WBS

After the program, Ashley and I drove back to World Bird Sanctuary--57 miles by road.   One all star bird beat us back. More birds came in throughout the afternoon. The next morning 3 more came home.

We all had a great time, exercised the birds, learned a little bit and set a new distance record for the Homing Pigeons that live and work at World Bird Sanctuary.

If you would like to have a Homing Pigeon release at your next special event you can make arrangements by calling 636-225-4390, Ext. 0

Submitted by Mike Zieloski, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist