Thread on pigeons >

More than ‘just a Pigeon’!

It’s always struck me as strange how often we receive calls about sick or injured birds and the caller begins by saying ‘I’m not sure if you’re interested or able to help as it’s just a Pigeon.’ It kind of gives the perception that Pigeons are no longer held in much regard? Quite the opposite as far as I’m concerned. In fact I think they deserve far more recognition and respect .... from all of us .... and here’s why.

One of the fundamental basics of intelligence is the mirror test. The ability to recognise yourself in the mirror. There are only 6 species (including us) that are able to do this. Pigeons are the only non mammal (Primate) with this ability. They can also recognise all the letters of the alphabet and differentiate between two people in a photograph. Without doubt, in the animal world the humble Pigeon is super intelligent.

Pigeons can live for up to 15yrs (sometimes over 18yrs) and are monogamous. It’s believed that their strong ‘homing’ instinct is driven by the close bond with their partners and nest sites. Pigeons can fly long distances at speeds in excess of 70mph, at heights of up to 6,000ft in their quest to return ‘home.’ It’s thought they use both the sun and the earth’s magnetic field to navigate.

Further studies have also shown that once accustomed to an area they’ll follow major road routes and memorise familiar buildings and landmarks to aid their journey home. Like us Pigeons can see in colour. However unlike us they also have the unique sense of being able to see in ultra violet which enhances their vision in poor visibility. One of the longest recorded flights undertaken by a Pigeon was 7,000 miles in 55 days by a Pigeon flying home to England from Africa.

Our relationship with Pigeons dates back over 10,000 years. Bones discovered in the caves of Neolithic man point to the fact they had been domesticated and being kept for food. By 2500 BC our ancestors had begun to put their homing instincts to use as a means of communication which opened up a whole new world of trade opportunities all around the world. By the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries Pigeons were widely kept in England for a variety of reasons including food, sport and communication.

Even their droppings were utilised as fertiliser and used as an ingredient in gunpowder. (I feel a plot coming on!).
However their importance to us as a means of communication was never more highlighted than in the First World War. It’s widely excepted that without them thousands of more lives would have been lost. It’s thought that over 100,000 Pigeons lost their lives in an attempt to keep lines of communication open.

The Dickens medal was first awarded by the PDSA in 1943 for any animal that distinguished itself in an act of bravery in war time. (The animal equivalent of a Victoria Cross). To date it has been awarded to 35 dogs, 32 Pigeons, 4 horses and 1 cat. Pigeons feature prominently on the animal war memorial in Hyde Park and we have our own memorial to them in Beach House Park, Worthing.