Pigeons have a long history of being used to carry messages over long distances. For thousands of years, humans have taken advantage of pigeons’ natural homing abilities to transport written communications. While no longer a primary means of messaging today, pigeons do still get used for this purpose in limited circumstances.
History of Pigeon Messaging
The earliest recorded use of pigeons to carry messages dates back to around 3000 years ago in the Middle East and Egypt. Couriers would attach a thin strip of paper to a pigeon’s leg containing a message. The bird would then be released and fly back to its home, delivering the letter. This method allowed people to rapidly send communications across distances of 100 miles or more.
Pigeons became a vital part of military communications starting in the 19th century. France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain all established pigeon corps or services. One of the functions of these units was to airdrop pigeons behind enemy lines to be used by ground forces for sending messages back. During World War I, pigeons carried over 1 million messages. Thirty-two pigeons received honors and medals for their war contributions, including Cher Ami who delivered 12 important messages in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
Rise of Electronic Communications
The use of homing pigeons declined in the 20th century with the invention of electronic means of communication like telegraph, telephone, and radio systems. However, they still played an important role in the World Wars by providing backup communication channels.
In World War II, the United Kingdom used about 250,000 homing pigeons. The Dickin Medal was created in 1943 to honor the war efforts and lives lost by British pigeons in service. Over 500 pigeons have been awarded this medal, including White Vision who delivered a message from the Normandy beaches during the D-Day invasion.
Present Day Military Uses
While pigeon messaging has been replaced by reliable electronics, they do still serve limited purposes in the modern military.
One advantage of pigeons is that they are unaffected by radio jamming that could disrupt electronic communications. The U.S. military currently has a small pigeon program at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The birds are trained for remote operations where troops may need an alternative way to send a message.
India also maintains a corps of pigeon keepers for potential communication roles. China utilizes pigeons for its border security forces as well.
Pigeons for Non-Military Purposes
Aside from the military, homing pigeons are still used in isolated cases for sending messages:
Pigeon Racing
Competitive pigeon racing continues to be a popular sport around the world with large Numbers of devotees. Fanciers raise racing pigeons that are tested on long-distance flights back home during organized events. The winners prove to have the speediest birds.
Smuggling
Criminals have been known to strap small packages like SIM cards or SD cards to pigeons to smuggle contraband into prisons and across borders. In one case, a pigeon was found transporting 178 ecstasy pills. More commonly though, pigeons are simply used by prisoners to make contact with the outside world.
Protest and Satire
Artists and activists have used homing pigeons for creative political statements and protests. A well-known example is British graffiti artist Banksy who painted pigeons bright colors for an exhibition. More recently in Venezuela, anti-government protesters attached messages to pigeons directed at the county’s leaders.
| Time Period | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 3000 BCE – 500 BCE | Early recorded use of pigeons for messaging in ancient Middle East and Egypt |
| 19th century | Homing pigeons become incorporated into military communications |
| World War I | Extensive use of pigeons by French, German, British, and American forces |
| World War II | Over 250,000 pigeons deployed by UK forces; 32 pigeons receive military honors for bravery |
| 1990s – Present | Modern militaries maintain limited pigeon units for backup communications |
Conclusion
The extensive use of homing pigeons for communications has greatly diminished with the availability of electronic messaging systems. However, pigeons still maintain relevance for specialized purposes, particularly within military and intelligence applications. They provide a reliable backup for transmitting critical information when modern technology fails or is compromised. Outside the military, pigeons continue on in sporting circles and as creative tools for artists and activists. Thanks to their legendary homing ability and trained service in wars, the noble pigeon remains an icon of effective messaging against all odds.
