Carrier pigeon
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A Carrier pigeon is a Homing Pigeon (specifically a domesticated Rock Pigeon, Columba livia) that has been used to carry messages. Using pigeons to carry messages is generally called "pigeon post." Most homing/racing type varieties can be used to carry messages. There is no specific breed actually called "Carrier pigeon," so a Carrier pigeon is any variety that is used to carry messages. Carrier pigeons that were the basic Racing Homer were used to carry messages in World War I and World War II and are nowadays used for pigeon racing. Thirty-two pigeons were presented with the Dickin Medal.[1]
Carrier pigeons should not be confused with English Carriers, which were once used many years ago to carry messages but are now bred primarily for their "carriage" and other show qualities.[2]
The Egyptians and the Persians first used carrier pigeons 3,000 years ago. They also were used to proclaim the winner of the Olympics.[3]
Tipu Sultan used carrier pigeons. They returned to the Jamia Masjid mosque in Srirangapatna, which was his headquarters. The pigeon holes may be seen in the mosque's minarets to this day.
Carrier pigeons played a vital part in World War II communication for the Invasion of Normandy as radios could not be used for fear of vital information being intercepted by the enemy.
The humorous IP over Avian Carriers (RFC 1149) is an Internet protocol for the transmission of messages via homing pigeon. Originally intended as an April Fools' Day RFC entry, this protocol has in fact been implemented and was used to transmit a message in Bergen, Norway on April 28, 2001. [4]
Carrier pigeons historically carried messages only one way, to their home. They had to be transported manually before another flight. However by placing their food at one location and their home at another location, pigeons have been trained to fly back and forth up to twice a day reliably. This setup allows Pigeons to cover 160km round trip.[5]
With training, pigeons can carry up to 75 g (2.5 oz) on their backs. The German apothecary Julius Neubronner used carrier pigeons to deliver urgent medication.[6] In 1977 a similar carrier pigeon service was set up for the transport of laboratory specimen between two English hospitals. Every morning a basket with pigeons was taken from Plymoth General Hospital to Devonport Hospital. The birds then delivered unbreakable vials back to Plymoth as needed.[7] The 30 carrier pigeons were made redundant in 1983 through the closure of one of the hospitals.[8] In the 1980s a similar system existed between two French hospitals located in Granville and Avranche.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ "PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC', Pigeons — Roll of Honour". PDSA. http://www.pdsa.org.uk/page309_3.html. Retrieved on 28 December 2008.
- ^ Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0853900132.
- ^ Blechman, Andrew (2007). Pigeons-The fascinating saga of the world's most revered and reviled bird.. St Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press. ISBN 9780702236419. http://www.uqp.uq.edu.au/book_details.php?id=9780702236419.
- ^ Bergen Linux User Group - The highly unofficial CPIP WG
- ^ National Research Council (1991). Micro Livestock-Little Known Small Animals With a Promising Economic Future. Sumter, S.C.: Natl Academy Pr. ISBN 0309044375.[1]
- ^ "Le pigeon voyageur photographe" (in French), Les Nouveautés Photographiques: 63–71, 1910, http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54904907.image.r=Neubronner.f70.vignettesnaviguer.langEN.
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1106&context=icwdmprobe
- ^ http://www.abc.terre.defense.gouv.fr/sites/abc.terre.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/carabinier_15.pdf
[edit] See also
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