Pigeon loads refer to the amount of weight that a homing pigeon can carry when transporting items. Homing pigeons have been used throughout history to carry messages, small goods, and even images over long distances. Understanding pigeon loads helps pigeon keepers determine what is safe and reasonable for their birds to transport.
Why Were Pigeons Used as Messengers?
Homing pigeons have an incredible ability to find their way home across vast distances. This unique navigational skill made them highly useful as messengers before modern long-distance communication methods were invented. Some key advantages of using pigeons for communication include:
- Pigeons can fly long distances (hundreds of miles) in a single day and reliably return to their home loft.
- They can carry small written messages or items attached to their body as they fly.
- Pigeons fly at high speeds, allowing them to deliver messages faster than horses or trains at the time.
- They can access areas that may be inaccessible to human messengers.
- Pigeon communication cannot be intercepted or jammed like radio signals.
- Sending messages by pigeon requires no infrastructure along the route.
Using homing pigeons for communication and message-carrying purposes has been traced back as far as Ancient Rome. They continued to be used through the modern era by armed forces and stock brokers. Even today, pigeons are sometimes used for relaying data when other forms of communication are unavailable.
What Are Typical Pigeon Loads?
The amount of weight a homing pigeon can carry depends on the individual bird’s size, breed, and conditioning. On average, most pigeons are capable of carrying a load equal to about 15% of their total body weight. However, pigeon keepers and specialists generally agree that the ideal pigeon load to ensure safe flights is closer to 10% of the bird’s weight.
For a standard racing or homing pigeon weighing around 14-18 ounces, a typical load would be:
- 1.4-1.8 ounces (about 40-50 grams).
Smaller birds may only be able to handle 1 ounce or less, while larger pigeons could potentially carry over 2 ounces safely. The distance the pigeon needs to cover is also a factor – longer flights require lighter loads to conserve the bird’s energy.
What Items Can Pigeons Carry?
Pigeons are capable of carrying a variety of small, lightweight items. Some examples of pigeon loads throughout history include:
- Messages or notes: Small rolled or folded slips of paper containing handwritten or typed messages. These were attached to the pigeon’s leg or tucked into a small container on the bird.
- Microfilm: During wartime, pigeons carried very small microfilm images containing photographed messages, maps, or diagrams.
- Memory cards or computer chips: In modern times, pigeons have been used to carry tiny memory cards with digital data.
- Sim cards: Sim cards for cell phones weigh just a few grams, light enough for pigeons to transport easily.
- Currency: Lightweight paper currency or coins can be carried by pigeons.
- Small cameras: Miniature lightweight cameras may be rigged to a pigeon for aerial photography missions.
Heavier items that exceed the pigeon’s load capacity, like large cameras, food, or batteries, are not suitable for transport by pigeon. The lighter the item, the farther the pigeon will generally be able to travel with it.
Carrying Methods
There are a few standard methods used for attaching loads to homing pigeons:
- Leg capsules: Lightweight watertight cylinders or capsules that affix to bands around the pigeon’s leg. These hold small written notes.
- Backpacks: Custom miniature backpacks with pockets or pouches to hold items against the pigeon’s back.
- Body harnesses: Harnesses made of elastic bands may be wrapped around the pigeon’s body to attach cameras or other items against their chest.
- Tail mounts: Some cameras and telemetry devices may be mounted above the base of the tail feathers.
The attachment method needs to be secure but comfortable for the pigeon. The load should be centered and balanced so the bird can still fly properly. Most pigeon carriers are custom made by pigeon specialists to fit specific loads.
Training Pigeon Carriers
A pigeon needs specialized training before it can become a reliable carrier. The training process includes:
- Getting the young pigeon accustomed to wearing attachment devices like leg capsules.
- Gradually increasing load weights up to the maximum load.
- Taking short practice flights with loads.
- Learning the route from the destination loft back to its home loft.
- Simulated missions and conditioning to fly long distances.
With patience and work, pigeons can be conditioned to make flights hundreds of miles long while carrying messages. However, pigeon carrying should always be limited to reasonable loads to ensure the bird’s safety and success.
Conclusion
Pigeon loads refer to the carrying capacity of homing pigeons trained to transport small goods. While pigeons can lift up to 15% of their body weight, a 10% load is ideal for safe long distance travel. Average pigeon loads are around 1.4-1.8 ounces for a standard sized pigeon. Heavier payloads can compromise the bird’s stamina and ability to fly home. With proper training and conditioning, pigeons can reliably carry messages, film, cameras, memory cards, and other small items within their load capacity.
