Bem-vindo ao Babylon Floral Design, Denvers boutique de flores mais exclusiva, especializada em design floral de ponta e itens de presente exclusivos. Nós nos esforçamos para fornecer os arranjos e serviços mais requintados para indivíduos e eventos, transformando pensamentos e sentimentos em arte floral, usando cor, textura, forma e estilo para se comunicar. Sinta-se à vontade para navegar na nossa galeria e blog para ter uma noção do que fazemos e, em seguida, visite nossa página de pedidos para nossa abordagem única para pedir flores. Nós escolhemos nossas flores diariamente e carregamos uma grande variedade de orquídeas e tropicais frescos, juntamente com escolhas sazonais. Para pedidos especiais, ligue o dia anterior e ordene bem o que deseja. Estamos felizes em oferecer entrega em toda a cidade e uma associação com um consórcio de floristas finos, oferecendo design floral excepcional para entrega nacional e internacional. Se você quiser fazer uma compra e seu endereço de cobrança e cartão de crédito está fora dos Estados Unidos, ligue para a loja ao pedido. Nós fornecemos pedidos on-line seguros 24 horas por dia, mas não entregamos nos domingos ou na maioria dos feriados principais. Babylon Floral 1223 East 17th Ave. Denver, CO 303.830.6855PIGEONS - TUDO DEVEM CONHECER SOBRE O PIGEON Índice Nome Latin: Columba livia (pomba ou pássaro de chumbo ou cor azul-cinza). Nomes comuns: Pombo, pomba, pombo de rocha azul, pomba de rocha, pombo de rocha selvagem, pombo de rocha, pombo selvagem. Derivação: a palavra pombo é derivada da palavra latina pipio, que significa pássaro jovem e cheeping. A palavra pomba é de origem nórdica e apareceu pela primeira vez no século 14 como dova ou douve. Ordem dos pássaros: Columbiformes Família: Columbidae (inclui 315 espécies diferentes) Subespécie: C. l. Livia, C. l. Atlantis C. l. Canariensis, C. l. Gymnocyclus, C. l. Targia, C. l. Nigricans, C. l. Dakhlae C. l. Schimperi C. l. Intermedia, C. l. Palaestinae C. l. Gaddi C. l. Variedades neglecta: 350 variedades gravadas. Mais comum: pombo feroz - 10-15 milhões na Europa. Origem: Europa, África do Norte e Ásia. Habitat: O pombo selvagem é encontrado nas áreas costeiras e o pombo selvagem é encontrado quase que exclusivamente em áreas de habitação humana. Distribuição: em todo o mundo, exceto o deserto do Saara, a Antártica eo alto Ártico. A população europeia estimava entre 17 e 28 milhões de aves. Descrição (adulto da subespécie nominal do pombo da rocha): envergadura de 64-72 cm de 32-37 cm de comprimento Cabeça, pescoço e peito escuro e azulado com irisatura lustrosa e avermelhada em torno do pescoço e das penas da asa íris laranja ou vermelha Com anel interno pálido (adulto) ou castanho ou acinzentado (juvenil) Fim preto com cereal branco Branco pés e pernas vermelhas Distintas gargantas de asa negra gêmeas Penas de lombar brancas Reprodução: Raças durante todo o ano com períodos de pico na primavera e no verão Todos Columbiformes são monogâmicos (companheiro para a vida) Os pássaros selvagens se reproduzem em penhascos costeiros e algumas falésias internas Os pássaros ferozes se reproduzem em ou em edifícios, geralmente em áreas urbanas. Ninho frágil construído em prateleira rochosa (selvagem) ou borda acessível em um prédio ou no vazio do telhado De um prédio (feral) Dois ovos brancos que são incubados por ambos os pais por 17 a 19 dias O squab (pintinho) é amarelo e uma conta rosa. Os Squabs são alimentados com o leite cultivado por ambos os pais. O período de Fingging é de aproximadamente 30 dias, dependendo de ti. Eu do ano Pombos podem reproduzir aos 6 meses de idade Ninho de pombo e 2 ovos Pombos e ovo Pombos adultos no ninho Pombos Almofada de pombo 1 dia Almofada de pombo 1 dia Almofada de pombo 3 dias Almofada de pombo 3 dias Almofada de pombo 5 dias Almofada de pombo 8 dias Pombo Squab 8 dias Squabs de pombo 8 dias Squabs de pombo 10 dias Agulha de pombo 14 dias Pate de pombo 14 dias Pateta de pombo 16 dias Pateta de pombo 16 dias Pombos juvenis no ninho Pombos juvenis no ninho Pombo juvenil com mãe Pombo juvenil de novembro Pombos juvenis com fome Dieta: as sementes formam o Principal componente da dieta, mas varia muito de acordo com as espécies. Algumas espécies de alimentação terrestre (espécies granívoras) comem frutas e tomam insetos e vermes. Uma espécie, o Atoll Fruit Dove, adaptou-se a tomar insetos e pequenos répteis. O pombo selvagem encontrado em áreas urbanas existe exclusivamente em uma dieta de sementes (normalmente de fontes humanas) e lixo humano, como o desperdício de fast food. Os pombos de madeira têm uma dieta variada que inclui legumes e bagas. Expectativa de vida: varia muito de 3-5 anos até 15 anos dependendo de muitos fatores, incluindo predação natural e interferência humana. Predação: O pombo selvagem é predado, quase que exclusivamente, pelo falcão peregrino, um pássaro que também é encontrado vivendo e criando nas regiões costeiras. O sparrowhawk também pode ser anterior ao pombo selvagem. O pombo selvagem tem poucos predadores naturais, sendo o homem a principal ameaça para o pássaro em áreas de habitação humana. Características e Atributos: Os pombos podem voar em altitudes de 6000 pés ou mais Os pombos podem voar a velocidades médias de até 77,6 mph, mas foram registrados a partir de 92,5 mph. Os pombos podem voar entre 600 e 700 milhas em um único dia, com o maior gravado Vôo no século 19, levando 55 dias entre a África e a Inglaterra e cobrindo 7000 milhas, os Pombos são pensados para navegar, sentindo o campo magnético da terra e usando o sol para a direção. Outras teorias incluem o uso de estradas e até mesmo ondas sísmicas de baixa freqüência para encontrar o caminho para casa, os pombos (e toda a família dos columbidae) bebem sugando água e usando seus bicos como palhas. A maioria dos pássaros gole água e depois joga a cabeça para trás para engolir Pombos, como humanos, podem ver em cores, mas, ao contrário dos humanos, eles também podem ver a luz ultravioleta, uma parte do espectro que os seres humanos não conseguem ver. Como resultado, os pombos são freqüentemente usados em missões de busca e resgate no mar por causa desse senso único combinado com excelente visão geral. Os Pombos foram encontrados para passar no teste espelho, a capacidade de reconhecer seu próprio reflexo no espelho. O pombo é uma das únicas 6 espécies e o único não-mamífero, para ter essa habilidade, os Pombos são altamente inteligentes e podem reconhecer todas as 26 letras do alfabeto, além de serem capazes de se conceituar. Os pombos podem diferenciar entre fotografias e até dois seres humanos diferentes em uma única fotografia. Domesticação da pomba da rocha: pintura inicial da parede do homem com pomba A primeira menção da domesticação da pomba da rocha foi encontrada em comprimidos cuneiformes da Mesopotâmia (escrita pictográfica em comprimidos de argila) que remontam há mais de 5000 anos. No entanto, é provável que as pombas do rock tenham sido domesticadas pelo homem neolítico há mais de 10.000 anos atrás nas planícies aluviais do Tigris e do Eufrates. Foi nessa época que o homem neolítico estava começando a cultivar cereais e domesticar animais para alimentação. Na pré-história, é provável que as pombas do rock vivessem ao lado do homem nas cavernas e nos penhascos. As imagens de pombos foram encontradas pela primeira vez na fachada reconstruída de um templo escavado dedicado à deusa Ninhursag (Rainha do Céu e Terra) em AlUbaid, em Sumeria, em 3000 aC. Muitas imagens mais de argila de pombos foram encontrados durante as escavações de sites no Iraque e Creta que remontam a 3000 aC. Durante a escavação de um túmulo egípcio em 3000 aC, os ossos dos pombos foram encontrados no que se pensava que eram os restos de uma refeição funerária. Embora as imagens do pombo tenham sido encontradas datando de 3000 aC, não está claro qual o papel que o pombo desempenhou nessas antigas civilizações e até que ponto o pássaro foi domesticado. Mais tarde, em 1100 aC, o rei Ramsés III sacrificou 57 mil pombos ao deus Amon em Tebas, confirmando que o pombo estava bem a caminho de ser domesticado não só para alimentação, mas também para fins religiosos. A menção de sacrifícios de pombo também pode ser encontrada no Antigo Testamento e no Novo Testamento. O pombo é provavelmente mais conhecido por sua capacidade de voltar para casa de longas distâncias e tem sido amplamente usado por homens para esse propósito. A primeira referência ao pombo usado para transportar mensagens remonta a 2500 aC e a tradição continuou ao longo da história. Os romanos e os antigos gregos usaram o pombo extensivamente para transportar mensagens e o primeiro serviço sofisticado de mensagens foi estabelecido na Síria e na Pérsia no século 12 dC, com mensagens sendo carregadas por pombos de cidade em cidade. Pombos transportadores - WW1 Mais tarde, no século XIX, o pombo foi usado para fins comerciais, levando mensagens para instituições financeiras e agências de notícias na Europa e inclusive fornecendo um serviço de correio aéreo na Nova Zelândia. No século 20, os pombos foram utilizados extensivamente em ambas as Grandes Guerras para levar mensagens e, como resultado de sua bravura e heroísmo, dezenas de milhares de vidas humanas foram salvas. O último serviço de mensagens usando pombos foi dissolvido em 2006 pela força policial na cidade de Orrisa, na Índia. Casas de pombo dedicadas ou pombas. Acredita-se que existiram em tempos muito antigos no sul da Palestina e mais tarde no Egito em 44 aC. Pombo egípcio antigo 44 AD No entanto, um mosaico romano detalhado e bem preservado que data de 200 aC mostra um pombal com um telhado de colmo em que há inúmeros buracos de vôo com pombos empoleirados tanto no telhado e voando acima dele. Isso confirma que o pombo estava sendo criado em instalações dedicadas há mais de 2200 anos. O historiador siciliano Diadorous, que escreveu sobre o período de cerca de 300 aC, também descreveu um edifício de lama com um telhado de palha de cana que foi usado para abrigar pombos domesticados, confirmando ainda que a domesticação organizada havia sido estabelecida nesse período. A pomba tem desempenhado um papel essencial na domesticação do pombo ao longo da história, com instalações que vão desde exemplos precoce extremamente cruéis na forma de vasos de barro básicos até edifícios destacados altamente ornamentados que hospedam muitos milhares de pássaros nos séculos XVII, XVIII e XIX. . Dovecote, Dieppe, França Os pombos foram alojados e criados dentro dessas estruturas para alimentação, seus excrementos (que foi usado como fertilizante e como ingrediente para pólvora), esporte e como mensageiros. A tradição de pombos habitacionais em estruturas sintéticas continuou até o século 20 e é descrita com mais detalhes no artigo Dovecotes. O pombo foi domesticado não só por sua capacidade de voltar para casa e como fonte de alimentos e subprodutos, mas também para fins de esporte. O homem encontrou muitos usos esportivos para o pombo ao longo da história, com o primeiro exemplo conhecido sendo o esporte de Triganieri. Não está claro quando este esporte antigo começou, mas acredita-se que os primeiros gregos e romanos tenham participado nisso. O esporte envolve cada participante usando pombos cativos, lançados de vários lofts ou pomares de pombo ao mesmo tempo, e para atrair o maior número possível de pássaros longe de lofts adjacentes usando pombos especialmente treinados. Os pássaros capturados foram mortos ou mantidos por resgate. Este esporte continuou ao longo dos séculos e ainda é jogado hoje. Na cidade turca de Urfa, o esporte envolve mais de 500 bandos em um único evento. Pigeon Cage Trap Outros usos esportivos para o pombo incluíram o uso da falcoaria, conhecido como Sport of Kings, onde os pombos domesticados e selvagens foram mortos para o esporte. Acredita-se que o esporte tenha começado antes do século 10 dC. No final do século XVII, com o advento da espingarda, a falcoaria diminuiu de popularidade, mas um esporte novo e mais mortal tomou o lugar do tiro ao pombo. No Oriente Médio, os pombos domesticados ainda são usados hoje como iscas para falcoarias. Os tiros de pombo organizados começaram no século 18, onde um grande número de aves domesticadas foram libertadas e disparadas em um ponto em branco. Incrívelmente, o esporte continua hoje nos EUA, onde um grande número de pombos selvagens estão presos em caixas por controladores de pragas sem escrúpulos e compensados por gangues ilegais e depois vendidos para clubes de tiro. Os pássaros são então lançados na frente de atiradores, muitos com armas semi-automáticas e disparados em um ponto em branco. Provavelmente, o uso mais comum para o pombo domesticado hoje é o Pigeon Racing, um esporte que é popular em praticamente todos os países do mundo. Não se sabe quando as corridas de pombos para o esporte começaram, provavelmente na história inicial, mas as corridas de pombos como a conhecemos hoje começaram na Bélgica em 1850. O esporte cresceu em popularidade e atingiu o pico em 1960, quando havia 170 mil amantes de pombo em O Reino Unido sozinho. Hoje, o esporte está em declínio, mas os pombos que são considerados bons reprodutores podem trocar as mãos por até 65 mil. O Pombo como Ícone e Símbolo: Desde a sua domesticação há muitos milhares de anos, o pombo foi reverenciado por muitas religiões, incluindo hindu, islamismo, cristão e sikh. Embora o homem neolítico (cerca de 8500 aC em diante) indubitavelmente domesticou a pomba da rocha, há pouca indicação de que o pássaro foi usado para qualquer coisa além de comida. Dovecote Persa Antigo A primeira indicação histórica de existência de significância religiosa associada ao pombo doméstico foi em 3000 aC durante as escavações de templos e túmulos no Egito, Mesopotâmia (Iraque moderno) e Creta. As imagens de pombos foram encontradas em um templo escavado dedicado à deusa Ninhursag (Rainha do Céu e Terra) em AlUbaid, na Suméria. Na fachada reconstruída do templo, um friso de calcário foi encontrado mostrando uma fileira de pombos sentados. Outra descoberta, encontrada em túmulos de CopperBronze Age (3º milênio aC) escavados na ilha de Chipre, revelou grande quantidade de tigelas de argila, algumas decoradas com pombas. Estes se assemelham muito a tigelas de argila similares encontradas na ilha de Creta. Considera-se que as tigelas foram usadas para o culto sacrificial ou têm algum outro significado religioso. As escavações de túmulos datadas de 1600 aC em Mycenae, no sul da Grécia, revelaram dois ornamentos que representam pombas. Um é de uma deusa segurando uma pomba em ambas as mãos, e outra empoleirada em sua cabeça, e a outra representa um altar sobre o qual as pombas estão empoleiradas. Outra escavação em Canaã (hoje em dia, Israel e Líbano) que remonta a 1200 aC encontrou um relevo de terracota que representa uma Deve-deusa que segura uma pomba em ambas as mãos. Outros exemplos foram escavados de templos canaítas que datam entre 1100-1300 aC, um mostrando um modelo de um santuário em forma grosseira como um pombal com pombos sentados dentro dos poços da pomba. Esses exemplos não só confirmam o significado religioso da pomba na história inicial, mas também confirmam que a pomba foi criada em instalações dedicadas do pombal para o culto religioso. O pombo foi usado como um sacrifício na história inicial, com o Rei Rameses III, Rei do Egito, sacrificando 57 mil pombos ao deus Amon em Tebas em 1100 aC. Pombos no judaísmo e no cristianismo Noah e Dove of Peace A pomba apresenta fortemente tanto no Antigo Testamento como no Novo Testamento, e as referências a sacrifícios frequentes existem em ambos. Há uma série de referências ao sacrifício de pombas no Talmud, uma série de textos judeus compilados entre AD 250-500. Embora os textos tenham sido compilados em AD 250-500, pensa-se que eles se relacionam com períodos muito anteriores. Os textos não apenas descrevem os sacrifícios, mas também como as aves sacrificais devem ser criadas e as maneiras corretas de matá-las. A pomba é mais conhecida por sua parte na história do Antigo Testamento do Grande Dilúvio, no entanto, quando alguém voltou para Noé com um ramo de oliveira. Como resultado, a pomba sempre esteve ligada à paz e às boas notícias e ainda é lançada no início dos Jogos Olímpicos de hoje, por esse motivo. Pombos e os romanos Mosaico romano 3º século AD Os romanos tiveram uma grande afinidade com o pombo e, embora tenham sacrificado a pomba à deusa Venus, e, portanto, reverenciaram o pássaro, eles também criaram diferentes variedades e usaram o pombo amplamente como um mensageiro. O historiador e filósofo Caius Pliny, que escreveu no século I dC, diz: Muitas pessoas têm uma mania para os pombos, construindo torres para eles nos telhados das casas e rastreando pedigrees de pássaros solteiros. . O pombo é comumente retratado durante todo o período romano, mas nunca com mais detalhes do que o magnífico Mosaico de Pomba descoberto durante o século 18 no Imperador Hadrians Villa. Outro mosaico detalhado, datado de 200 aC, mostra um sacerdote ao lado de um santuário com um pombo adjacente. A pomba é detalhada com pombos no telhado e voando acima dela. Este mosaico confirma ainda a conexão entre o culto e a criação de pombos. Pombos e islamismo Profeta Mohammed Representado com Dove O Islã teve fortes associações com o pombo ao longo da história e essa associação continua hoje. O profeta Maomé (AD 570-632) é pensado para ter recebido mensagens divinas de uma pomba sentada em seu ombro, e grandes bandos de pombos foram, e ainda são hoje, encontrados na cidade sagrada de Meca, onde os locais de reprodução são fornecidos para Os pássaros e onde os peregrinos de Meca compram grãos para alimentá-los. Pombos Esperando Fora da Mesquita do Século XXI para serem Fed No santuário de Maomé em Medina (oeste da Arábia Saudita), os milhares de pombos que se reúnem lá são comumente referidos como os pássaros dos Profetas. Pigeon racing e fancying ainda é um esporte popular no mundo muçulmano e a raça de pombo conhecida como o Rir Árabe acredita ter sido introduzida por Mohammed e ainda é criada hoje. Pombos e hinduísmo Alimentação de pombo na Índia A religião hindu também reverenciou a pomba ao longo da história, com o pássaro mencionado até 1500-1200 aC no Rig Veda, um antigo hino dedicado às Deidades arianas. Existem inúmeras ilustrações do pombo em toda a história hindu, retratadas com diversas divindades. O pombo ainda é reverenciado hoje, com grandes bandos de pombos sendo alimentados diariamente em templos em toda a Índia, em muitas cidades e cidades do Reino Unido e em muitas outras cidades européias. Pombos e Sikhismo Guru Gobind Singh com Dove A religião sikh, fundada no século 16, considera a pomba como um símbolo de paz, harmonia e boa vontade, e o pássaro é amplamente reverenciado. O guerreiro Guru Govind Singh é comummente retratado com uma pomba em sua mão direita ou ombro, confirmando que, embora ele fosse um guerreiro, ele também era um homem de paz. A pomba também está ligada à reencarnação na religião sikh e acredita-se que, após a morte, a alma é levada para o céu por uma pomba, o que pode ser o motivo pelo qual tantos Sikhs regularmente alimentam pombos. Acredita-se que cuidar da pomba em sua vida assegurará que sua alma seja levada ao céu após a morte. Tal como acontece com a religião hindu, os sikhs alimentam pombos em torno de templos na Índia e em todo o Reino Unido e em muitas cidades europeias de hoje. Pombos que estão sendo alimentados no templo O pombo selvagem que é diretamente descendente da pomba da rocha domesticada agora é percebido como uma praga e um incômodo nas cidades e cidades em todo o mundo, e ainda assim o pássaro ainda é reverenciado no século XXI. Os hindus, os muçulmanos e os sikhs continuam a reverenciar o pombo e os enormes bandos de pombos que podem ser vistos nos templos e lugares de culto confirmam isso. Nas cidades de todo o Reino Unido, o crescimento contínuo de grupos multi-raciais garantiu que o pombo selvagem seja, em pequena escala, ainda um símbolo de paz e harmonia. O pombo é provavelmente mais conhecido por sua capacidade de voltar para casa de longas distâncias e, portanto, tem sido usado extensivamente ao longo da história como um mensageiro, datando até 2500 aC e continuando no século 21. A primeira menção histórica do pombo utilizado para transportar mensagens foi na cidade de Sumer, no sul da Mesopotâmia, em 2500 aC. O governante da cidade lançou duas pombas para levar a notícia do alívio da cidade dos seus vizinhos em guerra. Acredita-se que os pombos tenham sido criados na China desde 772 aC e, de acordo com o autor Salvador Bofarull, os comerciantes indianos e árabes usaram pombos transportadores quando visitaram a China. Várias centenas de anos depois, foram encontradas referências que confirmam que os pombos foram usados para transportar mensagens anexadas às pernas. Nos primeiros Jogos Olímpicos realizados em 776 aC, todos os atletas que participaram trouxeram um pombo homing de sua aldeia. Se ele ganhasse seu evento, seu seria o pássaro que levava as notícias para casa. Em 532 aC, um poeta grego se referiu ao pombo como transportador de mensagens em um poema intitulado Oda para um pombo-portador e, mais tarde, entre 63 aC - 21 dC, o geógrafo grego Strabo observou que os pombos foram treinados para voar entre certos pontos ao longo do Mediterrâneo Litoral para transportar mensagens da chegada de cardumes de peixes para os pescadores que esperam. No século V aC, pensa-se que a primeira rede de mensageiros de pombo foi estabelecida na Assíria e na Pérsia por Ciro o Grande e, mais tarde, em 53 aC, pensou-se que Aníbal usava pombos para transportar despachos durante a Batalha de Modena. Julius César também acredita ter usado pombos para transportar mensagens durante a conquista da Gália (norte da Itália, França, Bélgica e Suíça ocidental) de 58 a 51 aC. Pigeon Post Woodcarving 1481 No século 12 dC, os sultões Nur-ed-din construíram lofts e pomares de pombos nas cidades do Cairo e Damasco, onde os pombos eram usados para transportar mensagens do Egito para cidades tão distantes quanto Bagdá no atual Iraque. Este extenso sistema de comunicação, usando pombos para ligar cidades a centenas de quilômetros de distância, é considerado o primeiro serviço de mensagens de pombo organizado. Também no século 12 dC, durante o cerco da cidade de Acre, no norte de Israel, o sultão Saladino (Sultão do Egito e Síria) usava pombos para enviar mensagens à guarnição. Um século depois, após a queda de Constantinopla em 1204, os vencedores italianos enviaram mensagens de volta a Veneza por pombo, a cerca de 700 milhas de distância. No início do século XIX, os pombos foram utilizados pela primeira vez como mensageiros comerciais pela família Rothschild para se comunicar entre suas casas financeiras. Uma série de lofts de pombo foram instalados em toda a Europa, onde os pombos transportadores foram alojados e depois despachados com importantes informações financeiras. Este método de comunicação era muito mais eficiente e consideravelmente mais rápido do que qualquer outra forma disponível no momento, e permitiu que a família Rothschild jogasse os mercados antes da competição e acumulasse uma fortuna como resultado. Mais tarde, em 1850, os pombos foram utilizados para o grande efeito como mensageiros comerciais pela mundialmente famosa Reuters News Agency. O serviço foi iniciado em 1850 na Alemanha e os pombos voaram entre Aachen e Bruxelas na Bélgica, com as últimas novidades e preços dos estoques e ações. Um serviço de telégrafo já havia sido estabelecido entre os dois países até 1850, mas era tão pouco confiável, e havia muitas lacunas nas linhas de comunicação, que os pombos eram usados para sua velocidade e confiabilidade. Os pombos conseguiram percorrer as 76 milhas entre Aachen e Bruxelas em 2 horas, enquanto a ferrovia levou mais de 6 horas para fazer a mesma jornada. Durante o cerco de Paris pelos prussianos em 1870-171, os pombos transportadores foram retirados da cidade, junto com os refugiados, pelo balão. Durante o cerco, um total de 65 balões escaparam de Paris, muitos portadores de pombos. Os pombos foram então levados para os lofts de pombo configurados bem fora da zona de batalha de onde eles poderiam ser enviados para cidades em toda a França. A comunicação entre a cidade assediada e o mundo exterior tornou-se possível como resultado desse sistema único de transmissão de mensagens. Post Office Notice Paris 1870 Pigeon Poster, Paris 1870 Os prussianos tomaram consciência dos portadores de pombos e empregaram falcões na tentativa de pegá-los, mas muitos dos pássaros passaram e entregaram suas mensagens. Medalhas de comemoração da chegada do poste de pombo em Paris 1870 Serviço de correio aéreo com pombos O primeiro serviço de correio aéreo com pombos foi estabelecido em 1896 na Nova Zelândia e foi conhecido como o Serviço de Pombo-Gram. O serviço operou entre The Great Barrier Reef e Nova Zelândia, com pombos cobrindo a distância em 1,75 horas e velocidades médias de até 77,6 mph, apenas 40 mais lentas que uma aeronave moderna. Cada pombo carregava 5 mensagens e selos especiais de Pigeon-Gram custando 2- cada (20 pence) foram vendidos por cada mensagem carregada. Pigeon Post Route, Auckland para os grandes pombos da Ilha Barrier na Primeira Segunda Guerra Mundial Na Primeira Guerra Mundial, os pombos foram amplamente utilizados para transportar mensagens. Durante a Batalha de Ypres em 1915, os pombos foram usados para transportar as mensagens da linha de frente de volta para a sede da Brigada, e, embora os atiradores alemães foram enviados para atirar os pássaros, muitos sobreviveram e entregaram suas mensagens. Os pombos também eram carregados em tanques durante as batalhas e lançados através de pequenas janelas no lado. Os barcos de remoção de minas também levavam pombos para que, no caso de um ataque de U-boat, um pombo pudesse ser liberado com uma mensagem confirmando a localização exata do barco que se afunda, resultando em que a tripulação seja salva. Mesmo os hidroaviões levaram pombos para retransmitir informações urgentes sobre movimentos inimigos. Na Segunda Guerra Mundial, os pombos foram usados menos devido aos avanços nos sistemas de telecomunicações e no radar, mas ainda eram usados em serviço ativo na Europa, Índia e Birmânia. WW1 Mobile Pigeon Loft - WW2 Paratrooper with Carrier Pigeon - GI Joe O último serviço de mensagens de pombo foi dissolvido em 2006 após 60 anos de serviço ativo. O Serviço Nacional de Pombo da Índia, com sede no leste de Orrisa, retirou seus 800 pássaros para jardins zoológicos e santuários em todo o estado devido aos avanços na comunicação eletrônica. Até 1988, os pombos transportadores haviam fornecido comunicações diárias entre as estações de polícia de Orissas 400 em todo o estado. Os pombos foram usados para transportar mensagens essenciais durante dois desastres naturais: o ciclone maciço que atingiu o estado de Kendrapara em 1971 e as inundações sem precedentes nas áreas costeiras do estado em 1982. Sua capacidade de voar em condições climáticas adversas é pensado para ter salvado muitas vidas humanas . Orissa Police Pigeon Handlers Orissa Police Carrier Pigeon Station Mensagem anexada ao portador Pigeon O pombo no tempo de guerra: Primeiro balão para deixar Paris durante o cerco em 1870 A primeira menção histórica do pombo sendo usado para transportar mensagens em tempo de guerra foi na cidade de Sumer no sul Mesopotâmia em 2500 aC. O governante da cidade lançou duas pombas para levar a notícia do alívio da cidade dos seus vizinhos em guerra. Mais tarde, em 53 aC, pensou-se que Hannibal usou pombos para transportar despachos durante a Batalha de Modena, e também julgou-se que Júlio César usou pombos para transportar mensagens durante a conquista da Gália (norte de Itália, França, Bélgica e Suíça ocidental ) De 58 a 51 aC. Os pombos também desempenharam um papel importante durante o cerco de Paris em 1870-71, onde os pássaros foram contrabandeados para fora da cidade em balões e depois costumavam transportar mensagens para cidades em toda a França. É, no entanto, os seus feitos de bravura e as milhares de vidas humanas que salvaram nas duas Grandes Guerras que é mais frequentemente lembrado. Pombos sendo transportados Os pombos da Primeira Guerra Mundial foram utilizados extensivamente durante a Primeira Grande Guerra e continuaram a desempenhar um papel importante na Segunda Grande Guerra, mas em menor grau devido aos avanços em tecnologia e comunicações. Os pombos eram mais comumente usados como transportadores de mensagens e o papel que os pássaros desempenhavam no Serviço de Inteligência não pode ser subestimado. Os pombos foram usados para manter o contato com os movimentos de resistência em toda a Europa, muitas vezes voando sobre os territórios inimigos onde eles tinham uma chance muito maior de enviar sua mensagem do que um avião ou veículo. No entanto, devido a uma combinação de fogo de concha, fogo de armas pequenas, gás venenoso, predação e condições climáticas adversas, menos de 10 retornaram. Pigeon Wagon Primeira Guerra Mundial Em 1915, no início da Primeira Grande Guerra, dois Corpos de Pombo foram estabelecidos na Frente Ocidental, consistindo de 15 estações de pombo cada uma com 4 aves e um manipulador. O Pigeon Corps foi tão bem sucedido que outras aves foram recrutadas e o serviço expandiu-se consideravelmente. No final da guerra, o Corpo de Pombo consistia em 400 homens e 22 mil pombos em 150 lofts móveis. As mensagens seriam colocadas em uma pequena lata e, em seguida, ligadas à perna dos pombos. O pássaro seria liberado e retornaria ao seu loft atrás de linhas aliadas, tropeçando um fio, assim como fazendo um sino para confirmar que um pássaro havia pousado. Os lofts de pombo móvel foram usados para que os pássaros e seus manipuladores pudessem ser movidos conforme necessário durante a luta, com as mensagens sendo transmitidas para as postagens de comando. Os lofts de pombo também foram estabelecidos no solo doméstico na Primeira Grande Guerra, com cada aeródromo ao longo da costa leste da Inglaterra tendo seu próprio loft para que os pombos pudessem ser enviados com mensagens em caso de invasão. London Bus Converted to Mobile Pigeon Loft, Primeira Guerra Mundial Como os pombos podem voar a velocidades incríveis, mais de 125 quilômetros por hora, este método de comunicação foi mais rápido e confiável do que os sistemas de telégrafo muito básicos em serviço durante a Primeira Grande Guerra. Tanto os serviços armados da Bélgica como os franceses usaram pombos extensivamente durante a Primeira Grande Guerra, com cerca de 21 mil pombos perdendo a vida em serviço ativo. Pigeon Corps francês, WW1 As estimativas de pombos britânicos perdidos na Primeira Grande Guerra variam, mas pelo menos 100.000 pássaros pensam ter perdido a vida no serviço militar. Muitos pombos em ambas as Grandes Guerras foram premiados por sua bravura e seu heroísmo. Um exemplo na Primeira Grande Guerra foi um pombo chamado Red Cock, que foi premiado com a Medalha de Dickin pela bravura, considerado o equivalente à Cruz de Victoria. Red Cock foi libertado de um traineiro torpedo e voltou para o seu loft com uma mensagem carregando a referência da grade do barco que naufragou. Como resultado, a equipe foi salva, embora o capitão, que soltou o pombo, foi ferido mortalmente. Ele foi premiado póstumo pela Victoria Cross. A medalha de Dickin é concedida a qualquer animal que se distinga por um ato de bravura em tempo de guerra e de todos os animais que foram reconhecidos por este prêmio, o pombo foi reconhecido mais vezes do que qualquer outro. Das 55 medalhas concedidas até à data, os pombos foram reconhecidos 32 vezes. Provavelmente o destinatário mais famoso de um prêmio de bravura na Primeira Grande Guerra foi um pombo britânico chamado Cher Ami, que foi doado por fanfarrões de pombo britânicos para o Corpo de Sinal do Exército dos EUA. Em 3 de outubro de 1918, 500 homens de um batalhão da 77ª Infantaria ficaram presos e cortados perto de Argonne, no nordeste da França, sem comida nem munição. As tropas também foram bombardeadas por fogo amigável. No prazo de 24 horas após ter sido interrompido, mais de 300 homens haviam perdido e sem outras opções disponíveis para ele, o Comandante, o Major Charles Whittlesey, escreveu uma nota dizendo: Muitos feridos, não podemos evacuar. E anexou a nota a um pombo transportador. O pássaro foi imediatamente abatido pelos alemães. Um segundo pássaro foi despachado com uma mensagem que dizia: os homens estão sofrendo. Pode ser enviado O segundo pássaro também foi derrubado. O último pássaro foi chamado, Cher Ami, e o Major Whittlesey escreveu uma mensagem final dizendo: Estamos ao longo da estrada paralela a 276: 4. A própria artilharia está lançando uma barragem diretamente sobre nós. Pelo bem dos céus, pare e anexe a mensagem para Cher Ami. O pássaro foi imediatamente atirado pelo peito pelo fogo do inimigo e caiu no chão, mas conseguiu voltar ao ar. Cher Ami então voou as 25 milhas de volta ao seu sótão na sede da Divisão através de uma constante barragem de fogo inimigo e fez a viagem em 25 minutos. Como resultado, 194 homens da 77ª Divisão de Infantaria foram salvos. Cher Ami entregou a mensagem apesar de ter sido baleado através do peito, cegado de um olho, coberto de sangue e com uma perna pendurada apenas por um tendão. Ele se tornou um herói da 77ª Divisão e os médicos conseguiram salvar sua vida e substituí-la com um pedaço de madeira. Australian Pigeon Lofts WW2, Nova Guiné Quando o pássaro estava bem o suficiente para viajar, ele foi enviado de volta para os EUA e se tornou o mascote do Departamento de Serviço. O pombo foi premiado com a Medalha Croix de Guerre com um Cluster de Folhas de Carvalho de palmeira por seu serviço heróico ao entregar 12 mensagens importantes em Verdun. He died at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, on June 13, 1919 from the wounds he received in battle and was later inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931. He also received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers in recognition of his extraordinary service during World War I. In the Second Great War, pigeons continued to be used throughout Europe and as far afield as Burma and India. The American and Australian Services also used pigeons extensively and had their own pigeon units operating in many different countries. Allied bomber crews usually carried a pair of pigeons so that in the event that the plane was shot down, the birds could be released with details of the crash site. Pigeon Message Capsule, World War 2 Wireless communication could not be used, so a message with a grid reference offered surviving crews the only hope of rescue. One example of this was on 23rd February 1942 when a damaged Beaufort bomber had to ditch into the sea off the Norwegian coast after being damaged during a raid. One of the carrier pigeons escaped from its container after the damaged aircraft had broken up on contact. The bird managed to travel the 129 miles back to its base, covered in oil from the damaged plane and delivered its message. The crew were rescued as a result. Pigeon Carrying Vest, World War 2 In 1943 a pigeon called White Vision was awarded the Dickin medal for delivering a message under exceptionally difficult conditions and so contributing to the rescue of an air crew while serving with the RAF in October 1943 . Paratrooper with Pigeon in Harness, World War 2 A Catalina Flying Boat came down close to the Hebrides in heavy seas and bad weather and rescue operations by sea were hindered due to extreme weather conditions. An air search was impossible due to heavy fog. White Vision was dispatched from the Catalina and flew the 60 miles back to her loft with the position of the aircraft. White Vision battled over heavy seas, with visibility of only a hundred metres in places and against a headwind of 25 miles per hour. The search was resumed in light of the information provided by White Vision and the crew were found and saved. In 1940 over 300 crates of pigeons were dropped into Enemy-occupied areas of Europe, each bird being packed into a single box with enough food for 10 days. Instructions and a questionnaire were also included in the box. The idea was that if found by an ally, information about enemy movement could be put inside the container on the birds leg and the bird released to fly back to its loft in Britain. An estimated 16,544 pigeons were parachuted into occupied Europe during the Second Great War but only 1,842 returned. World War 2 Pigeon Carrier with Message Equipment World War 2 Pigeon Carrier with Message Equipment Message Enclosed in Pigeon Carrier However, important information was received via the birds, particularly information relating to exact positions of the V1 flying bomb site in Peenemunde in Germany. Pigeons were also used extensively for aerial photography. Pigeon with Message Capsule and Harness An automatic miniature camera was mounted to the birds breast via a canvass harness and pigeons were then flown over areas of strategic importance to capture images. When the bird arrived back at its loft the camera was removed and the film developed, often providing crucially important information about enemy troop movements and air bases. The following quote, from Major General Fowler, Chief of the Department of Signals and Communications for the British Army, sums up just what a vitally important role the pigeon played in wartime: World War 2, Pigeon with Camera It is the pigeon on which we must and do depend when every other method fails. During quiet periods we can rely on the telephone, telegraph, flag signals, our dogs and various other ways in use on the front with the British Army, but when the battle rages and everything gives way to barrage and machine-gun fire, to say nothing of gas attacks and bombing, it is to the pigeon that we go for succour. When the troops are lost or surrounded in the mazes on the front, or are advancing and yet beyond the known localities, then we depend absolutely on the pigeon for our communications. Regular methods in such cases are worthless and it is at just such times that we need most messengers that we can rely on. In pigeons we have them. I am glad to say that they have never failed us. In 2004 an impressive memorial to commemorate all the animals and birds killed during wartime was erected in Hyde Park. Pigeons have been given pride of place on the wall of the sculpture where they are carved in relief, with two pack mules in the foreground weighed down with munitions and cannon parts. Memorial to Animals Lost in War, Hyde Park Huge numbers of animals and birds lost their lives in both Great Wars, particularly the First Great War, with 8 million horses being lost and pigeon losses in the hundreds of thousands. Further impressive memorials to the pigeon bravery and heroism in wartime can be found in Brussels, Lille and Berlin-Spandau. Most died in appalling circumstances. Dickin Medal For Bravery The following pigeons received the Dickin medal for bravery: NEHU.40.NS.1 - Blue Cheq. Hen Winkie MEPS.43.1263 - Red Cheq. Cock George SURP.41.L.3089 - White Hen White Vision NPS.41.NS.4230 - Beachbomber NPS.42.31066 - Grizzle Cock Gustav NPS.43.94451 - Dark Cheq. Cock Paddy NURP.36.JH.190 - Dark Cheq. Hen Kenley Lass NURP.38.EGU.242 - Red Cheq. Cock Commando NPS.42.NS.44802 - Dark Cheq. Cock Flying Dutchman NURP.40.GVIS.453- Blue Cock Royal Blue NURP.41.A.2164 - Dutch Coast NPS.41.NS.2862 - Blue Cock Navy Blue NPS.42.NS.15125 - Mealy Cock William of Orange NPS.43.29018 - Dark Cheq. Cock Ruhr Express NPS.42.21610 - B. C. Hen Scotch Lass NU.41.HQ.4373 - Blue Cock Billy NURP.39.NRS.144 - Red Cock Cologne NPS.42.36392 - Maquis NPS.42.NS.7542 - 41.BA.2793 - Broad Arrow NURP.39.SDS.39 - All Alone NURP.37.CEN.335 - Mercury NURP.38.BPC.6 - DD.43.T.139 - DDD.43.Q.879 - NURP.41.SBC.219 - Cock Duke of Normandy NURP.43.CC.2418 - B. C. Hen NURP.40.WLE.249 - Mary NURP.41.DHZ.56 - Tommy 42.WD.593 - Princess USA.43.SC.6390 - G. I. Joe The Pigeon as a Source of Food: Ancient Dove Houses, Cappadocia Turkey Rock Doves are believed to have been domesticated by Neolithic man over 10,000 years ago, but it is likely that Stone Age man exploited pigeons for food much earlier. The rock dove would have lived alongside Stone Age man, sharing caves and roosting and breeding on cliff faces alongside man, proving easy access to pigeon nests to take eggs and squabs (pigeon chicks). The first historical mention of domesticated pigeons being used for food was in Egypt in 3000 BC a menu that included pigeon as a dish was found during an excavation. An early Sumerian psalm also mentions the dovecote of the goddess., suggesting that pigeons were housed in dedicated facilities even earlier than this. Early Clay Pigeon Breeding Pots During another excavation of an Egyptian tomb dating back to 3000 BC the remains of a funerary meal were found which included pigeon bones, further confirming that pigeons were used for food during this period. The ancient Roman kingdom was founded as far back as the 10th century BC, with Rome being founded in 753 BC. The ancient Roman civilisation became the Roman Empire (27 BC - AD 4761453) and throughout the Roman civilisation the pigeon was not only revered and widely bred but was also used for food. During an excavation at Palestrina in central Italy a Roman mosaic was found, dating back to 200 BC, depicting an early mud dovecote with entry holes in a thatched roof and pigeons flying around it and perching on it. The mosaic shows the River Nile in the foreground and it has been suggested that the doves housed in the dovecote may also have been used to send messages giving advance warning of the flooding of the Nile. It is equally likely, however, that the birds were used for food andor sacrifice, as the mosaic also depicts a shrine adjacent to the dovecote. The Sicilian historian Diadorous, writing about an even earlier period (circa 300 BC), also described a mud building with a reed thatched roof that was used to house domesticated pigeons. Dovecote in Karanis Egypt AD 65 Although little is known of the domestication of the pigeon in China, an excavation of a tomb at Chang-Chou, near Honan, dating back to the 1st century AD found pigeon lofts built into towers around a central courtyard. This appears to confirm that pigeons were domesticated over two thousand years ago in China and used either for food or for sacrifice, or possibly as messengers. In the same century, the Roman writer Varro, who wrote extensively about animal husbandry, described the domestic pigeon in some detail and the types of buildings in which they were housed. His description of the interiors of the lofts or dovecotes are quite detailed, describing the ledges upon which the birds roosted and bred as well as the smooth surfaces around flight holes designed to deny access to predators. He also confirmed that pigeon cotes were numerous, with some housing as many as 5000 birds. Pigeons were also mentioned in cookery books written by the Roman gourmet Apicius, dating back to the 1st century AD, confirming that the birds were considered to be a delicacy. The pigeon was also consumed both as a delicacy and as a part of the staple diet in Medieval England (post 5th century). The earliest remains of dovecotes found in Britain date back to the 12th century, with one early example uncovered during an archaeological excavation in Raunds, Northamptonshire. A number of these early rubblestone dovecotes, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, have been uncovered throughout southern England in recent years and with quite a significant geographical spread, Garway Dovecote, 1326 - Exterior ranging from Devon in the south-west through to Lincolnshire in the east. These early dovecotes were built mainly to service the culinary needs of monasteries, castles and manors, but were the sole preserve of the wealthy and almost certainly beyond the means of the poor. In Medieval and Norman times the building of a dovecote was a feudal right restricted to lords of the manor, abbots and barons, with these privileges eventually extending down to the humble parish priest. Today very few of these structures remain intact. It must be assumed that the pigeon was farmed in quite large numbers from the 13th century onwards and this is confirmed in the domestic household records kept by Dame Alice de Breyne in 1413. Records of the daily provisions for the household included the following entry: Luntley Court 15th-16th Century Dovecote one capon, two chickens and twenty pigeons . Pigeons were also eaten in large numbers at banquets, and records of one banquet, held by the Earl of Warwick in 1470, confirm that 4,000 pigeons were served. In 16th century England, pigeon production for meat became commercial, with some pigeon farms housing anything up to 30,000 birds. The wide popularity of pigeon meat resulted in the bird becoming part of the daily diet rather than being considered only as a delicacy. In the main it was the squab (pigeon chick) that was consumed, with young birds being killed at approximately 4 weeks old for the table. Although most ancient dovecotes are believed to be round in shape, the 17th century saw rectangular and octagonal dovecotes being built, some with incredibly intricate designs and housing many thousands of birds. The interior of a dovecote is usually a large open space with the breeding cubicles or ledges in rows around the internal walls. Pigeons would enter the dovecote in a variety of different ways, depending on the size, shape and type of structure, with the most common entryexit point (known as the flight entrance) being provided beneath a cupola or lantern on the roof of the structure. The birds would be encouraged to roost and breed within the structure, and as pigeons are quite prolific breeders, bringing up to 8 young into the world each year, competition for breeding cubicles within the cote would be high. Although pigeons were farmed in the main for meat, their by-products were also in great demand. This was particularly the case in the 16th century when pigeon excrement was found to contain saltpetre, a substance used in the manufacture of gunpowder. As a result, pigeon excrement became even more widely prized than pigeon meat. In some cases, armed guards were posted outside dovecotes to stop thieves stealing pigeon excrement. Production of saltpetre from pigeon excrement ended in the late 18th century when saltpetre was Restored 17th Century Dovecote found to be naturally occurring in South America. In the Middle East (where eating pigeon flesh was forbidden) dovecotes were built simply to provide manure for growing fruit and this practice continued for centuries. In France, Italy and Spain guano was used extensively on hemp crops and for the fertilisation of vineyards. In the 19th century the rearing of pigeons for meat fell into decline, which continued into the 20th century. However, during the First World War the American government encouraged people to breed pigeon squabs for meat, telling them: Interior of Minster Lovell Hall Dovecote Grow squabs in your backyard. Take little room, grow quickly, are easy to raise. The pair of pigeons Noah took into the Ark could nest, hatch and raise a pair of squabs in the forty days the rain lasted. The eggs of pigeons hatch in 17 days. The squabs are ready to eat in three to four weeks. No other domestic bird or animal can make its meat product in so short a time and repeat 7 or 8 times a year. Nothing easier to raise. Nothing better to eat. In Britain, pigeon farming died out in the early part of the 20th century and there has been little interest since other than a mild resurgence of interest between the two Great Wars and later in 1971 where pigeons were bred for meat in Kent. Ironically, the pigeon is now wrongly perceived as a disease carrier, in the main as a result of commercial propaganda pumped out by the pest control industry, with America being the source of a majority of this misinformation. However, it was less than 100 years ago when Americans were told that there is nothing better to eat than the pigeon, confirming absolutely the myth that the pigeon is a disease carrier. Pigeons for Sport: The first historical mention of pigeons being used for the purposes of sport is in the Jewish Talmud (AD 200 500). The Talmud is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history. Within the Talmud there is a definition of a pigeon trainer as being someone who deploys decoy birds to attract other birds from another loft or dovecote. This reference suggests that the ancient pigeon flying sport of Triganieri, or a version of this sport, may have been first practiced as far back as AD200. The sport of Triganieri is thought to have originated in Modena in northern Italy during the 14th century. The Modena breed of pigeon, as it is known today, was known as the Triganica when mentioned in the chronicles of Modena dating back to 1328. Breeders of the Triganica pigeon were known as Triganieri, the term that is now used to describe the sport itself. Having originated in Italy, the sport became widely followed in many countries, including Persia, Spain and Egypt. The sport is still followed today, with references to it being actively pursued in New York. In the Turkish city of Urfa the sport can involve over 500 flocks in a single event. Triganieri, Modena in 14th Century The ancient sport of Triganieri involved training pigeons from one loft to lure pigeons from other lofts back home. The sport was normally undertaken by those pigeon keepers who owned rooftop pigeon lofts. and highly organised events involved large numbers of participating pigeon keepers and birds. Flights of pigeons were released at the same time and allowed to fly together before being brought back to their respective lofts by their owners, normally by signalling to the birds with flags and whistles. The sport was usually amicable, with birds being returned to their rightful owners. However, the sport could be highly competitive, with rules for the game varying depending in what part of the world it was played. In many cases, captured birds were killed and some pigeon keepers even resorted to re-releasing captured birds to fly back to their home loft with a phial of gunpowder attached to their tail feathers. The gunpowder was primed to explode on contact with the competitors flocks or when the bird arrived back to its loft. Dovecote-bred pigeons were commonly used for the sport of falconry. Of course hawks and falcons were commonly used to kill wild pigeons and in fact still are today in many countries worldwide, particularly the Middle East and the UK. Pigeons were also used to train falcons, using a live pigeon as a lure rather than the more common feathered lure. When trying to catch a hawk or falcon that was reluctant to return to its handler, particularly when young birds were being trained, a live pigeon was sometimes tethered to a post in an effort to tempt the hawk back. In Holland this method was also commonly used to tempt wild migrating raptors into traps for resale. At the end of the 17th century the sport of falconry started to die out with the advent of the firearm. Queen Elizabeth 1st Hawking, 1575 In the late 18th century, organised pigeon shooting became a popular sport in England, with tame dovecote-bred birds being used as targets. Up to 120 birds were used during one event. Early meets took place in Ealing and Battersea, with large sums of money being wagered during competitions. Later, organised pigeon shooting clubs were established, with the famous Hurlingham Club being founded in London in 1869. The birds that were used as targets in these shoots became quite highly prized, with members of clubs like the Hurlingham Club paying as much as half a crown per bird. Olympic Games Poster, Paris 1900 This was a considerable sum in 1896 and it therefore comes as no surprise to learn that members of these clubs were wealthy, with the sport attracting individuals from the House of Commons and the House of Lords and even royalty. Incredibly, the Summer Olympic Games held in Paris in 1900 included live pigeon shooting as a demonstration event, but due to public outrage, it was never granted official status. Even more incredible is the fact that over 200 years after the shooting of domesticated pigeons for sport first started in England, the state of Pennsylvania in the USA continues the tradition. Several shooting clubs in Pennsylvania host pigeon shoots where captive feral pigeons are released from traps and shot at point-blank range with automatic and semi-automatic weapons. A majority of the pigeons sold to these clubs are feral pigeons that have been illegally netted for the purpose. Pest control companies also cage-trap feral pigeons for their clients, supposedly as a method of bird control, and sell the live birds to shooting clubs. The continuance of this barbaric sport has caused great controversy across America, but even in light of huge opposition, live pigeon shoots continue today in Pennsylvania. Pigeon Cage Trap Pigeon racing as we know it today is the sport most commonly associated with pigeons and a sport which is still enjoyed by large numbers of enthusiasts worldwide. The modern day sport of pigeon racing started in Belgium in 1850 and within 20 years had made its way across the Channel and was being enjoyed in the UK. One of the most famous pigeon fanciers of the 19th century was the naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin, who was a member of two London pigeon clubs. By 1896 the National Homing Union was established as a governing body for the sport in the UK. That body is still in existence today and is now known as the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, with a further six Unions overseeing the sport in the UK, including the Scottish, Irish and Welsh Homing Unions and the North West and North East Homing Unions. The sport in the UK is represented on the worlds ruling body, the FCI (Federation Colombophile Internationale) which regulates the sport worldwide. Pigeon races are organised and controlled by local pigeon racing clubs who transport the birds to various release sites, both in the UK and in Europe, from where they are released to fly back to their loft . Pigeons are released to fly over a carefully measured distance during a race and the time it takes the animal to cover the specified distance is then measured. The birds rate of travel is then calculated and compared with that of all the other pigeons in the race to determine Old Timing Clock which pigeon returned at the highest speed. The winner is the bird with the highest velocity. The calculation is the distance flown divided by the time taken. The traditional method of timing pigeons in a race is to place a rubber band on the leg of each bird each ring has a unique serial number. When the bird returns to the home loft the rubber ring is removed and placed into a sealed clock which records the official time. From this timestamp an average speed is measured and the winner can then be identified. Large Modern Pigeon Loft The real time the pigeon arrives at its loft is not necessarily the time that is recorded, as the owner has to catch the bird, remove the ring and then insert it into the clock. As races can be won or lost by seconds rather than minutes, this system is not ideal. Furthermore, as the pigeon is aware that the removal of the ring may be uncomfortable, it may not be as willing as it might otherwise be to be caught by its owner to have the ring removed. Pigeon Racing Rings In an effort to update the system of recording arrival times, an electronic timing system is now more commonly used where the arrival of the bird is recorded automatically. Each bird is fitted with a band that contains an RFID chip (radio-frequency identification), which is automatically read as the bird arrives at the loft. A pad or antenna is placed at the entry point to the loft and this scans the RFID chip as the bird arrives. The electronic clock is linked to the pad or antenna and the serial number on the transponder ring is recorded along with the precise time of arrival. This system means that the birds owner does not have to be present at the Selection of Pigeon Timing Clocks loft when the bird returns. In the early part of the 20th century, pigeons were transported to release sites in horse-drawn carriages, but today huge articulated lorries with all modern conveniences for both pigeons and owners transport thousands of birds to a single race. The sport has definitely moved with the times and the flat cap image so often associated with pigeon racing is now a thing of the past. Pigeon Transporter amp Release Pigeon racing is not only a global sport, it is a rich industry with stud pigeons and race winners fetching huge sums of money. One pigeon called Playboy has recently been purchased from its Belgian owner, Mr Van Roy, by a Japanese businessman, for a record 144,000 (78,404), more than twice the usual price. Playboy won the 620-mile Barcelona race in 2008, a high point in the pigeon racing calendar, and as a result Mr Van Roy had been inundated with offers for him. It is common for pigeons to fail to return home after a race, with large numbers of birds falling prey to exhaustion, weather conditions and birds of prey. Many of the survivors join feral flocks in urban areas and integrate quickly with feral birds. Some experts believe that the considerable numbers of racing birds lost annually to feral flocks has a significant impact on the size of feral flocks and pigeon-related problems in urban areas. A major disaster befell tens of thousands of racing pigeons released from Nantes in France as part of a race held to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Racing Pigeon Association in England (1997). Pigeon Race 1997 Some 60,000 pigeons were released in Nantes but only a few birds ever arrived back at their lofts throughout southern England. It is not clear what happened to the birds, or whether any survived, but one theory put forward is that the sonic boom created by Concorde as it flew over the English Channel, at the precise time the pigeons would have been at the same point, completely disorientated the birds and compromised their inbuilt navigation system. There are many theories about how pigeons manage to return home when released 100s of miles away from their loft. A champion racing pigeon can be released 400-600 miles away from its home and still return within the day. It is believed that the instinct to return to a mate and nest is a powerful motivator, but this does not explain the ability to travel such extraordinary distances and at such speeds. An adult pigeon in good condition can achieve average speeds of up to 125 kmph on short to middle distance flights and fly at an altitude of 6,000 feet. A 10-year study carried out by Oxford University concluded that pigeons use roads and motorways to navigate, in some cases even changing direction at motorway junctions. Other theories include navigation by use of the earths magnetic field, using visual clues such as landmarks, navigating by the sun and even using infrasounds (low frequency seismic waves). The sport of pigeon racing does not always attract good publicity and the darker side of the sport was recently put under the spotlight as a result of an extremely small number of pigeon fanciers bringing the sport into disrepute through their actions. A series of crimes against birds of prey, carried out by pigeon fanciers according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), hit the headlines in 2007 and 2008. The RSPB reported several cases of sickening cruelty relating to attacks on peregrine falcons and their nests the peregrine falcon is the natural predator of the pigeon and peregrines do take racing pigeons as natural prey. In 2007, 11 members of the National Birmingham Roller Pigeon club faced prison sentences in the USA having been convicted of a range of crimes against hawks and falcons, including spraying birds caught in illegal cage traps with ammonia and bleach, shooting hawks with shotguns and pellet guns and cutting the talons from illegally trapped birds. Poisoned Golden Eagle All the men charged confirmed they had been protecting their racing pigeons. However, a majority of those involved with the sport of pigeon racing would never condone the actions of this small minority. Pigeon fanciers in the UK commonly raise money for various charities and raised over 35,000 toward the erection of The Animals in War Memorial in Hyde Park, commemorating the many animals that died in both Great Wars, including the 100,000 pigeons that died whilst on active duty. The annual Royal Pigeon Racing show in Blackpool is attended by many thousands of pigeon fanciers and all proceeds from the event are also donated to charities. Pigeon racing saw a massive increase in popularity at the end of the First Great War, and between the two wars the sport was enjoyed by entire families. The popularity of the sport peaked in the 1950s, with the National Homing Union receiving Royal patronage and becoming the Royal National Homing Union, later to become the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA), as it is known today. Prior to 1987 it was impossible to calculate the number of members of the RPRA. but in 1987 a single member subscription system was brought in, allowing a true assessment of the membership for the first time. In 1989 the total membership for the RPRA was 60,000. The RPRA is now a thriving business with an annual turnover of 1.2 million and offices in Cheltenham and Welshpool. There has been a marked decline in the sport in recent years which is blamed, certainly in part, on the restrictions imposed on keeping pigeons on residential properties. Due to the negative and inaccurate publicity generated by the pest control industry, suggesting that pigeons are disease carriers, objections are quickly raised if a pigeon loft is erected on a residential property. Alternative sites for racing pigeon lofts are almost impossible to find and there is the inevitable risk of vandalism and theft associated with remote lofts. The future for pigeon racing is unsure in the long-term but although the sport is in decline at present, it is far from dying out. It must be hoped that the sport will continue long into the future and help to raise the profile of a much maligned and unique bird that has given so much to man and yet has been rewarded with hate and persecution in the 21st century. Fancy Breeds of Pigeons: The breeding of pigeons for the purpose of enhancing size, shape, colour or behaviour is thought to have started over 3000 years ago, but little historical evidence of early breeding exists. The first mention of pigeons being bred for colour appears to be in a poem written by the Greek poet Homer in 950 BC when he referred to Messenes towers for silver doves renowned. Rock Doves in Natural Habitat The reference to silver doves suggests that the rock dove, from which all varieties of pigeons descend, must have been bred to produce a silver or white colour. Later, the classical Greek philosopher Socrates (469- 399 BC) discussed the cross-breeding of birds which appear to have been pigeons. In the 1st century AD the Roman historian Pliny discussed the breeding of fancy pigeons, confirming that the practice had been ongoing for some considerable time. In the same century, the Roman scholar Varro made clear references to cross-breeding. Fancy Pigeons Illustration He mentioned the domesticated rock dove in contrast to the white pigeon, fed at the doorstep. It is clear from this that the fancy breeds of today are not only descended from the wild rock dove but that cross-breeding was started soon after the bird was first domesticated. Throughout the next 2000 years breeding and cross-breeding of the pigeon to produce fancy breeds has become an art form, with over 300 known breeds of fancy pigeon in existence today. The grouping of fancy breeds is complex but can be roughly defined in 8 separate headings: Utility Pigeons: These are breeds that were originally bred for meat and include the French Mondain and the King. Aachen Lacquer Shield Owl The breeding of fancy pigeons is an international pastime, with pigeon fanciers coming together at local, national and international shows to compete for ever-growing prizes. The German National Pigeon Show, one of the largest national pigeon shows, is held annually in Nurnberg and attracted 33,500 people to the 2006 event. This demonstrates how popular pigeon fancying has become. The annual show held by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association in Blackpool is attended by upwards of 25,000 people each year, with all profits raised from the event being donated to charity. Common Varieties of Pigeons (UK): Other than the wild rock dove, of which there are very few remaining, and the feral pigeon, there are only 3 other varieties of the columbidae family commonly found in the UK: wood pigeon ( Columba palumbus ), collared dove or ring-necked dove ( Streptopelia decaocto ), turtle dove ( Streptopelia turtur ) and the stock dove ( Columba oenas ). Wood pigeon Adult Wood Pigeon The wood pigeon is the most common pigeon found in the UK, with numbers of birds even eclipsing the feral pigeon found in towns and cities all over the UK. A 2004 study carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology confirmed that the wood pigeon is now the most commonly seen bird in the UK. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) estimates the number of breeding pairs in the UK to be between 2,570,000 and 3,160,000. Unlike the feral pigeon, however, the wood pigeon is found predominantly in rural areas, but in the last 30 years the bird has started to exploit urban habitats as a result of increasing persecution in its natural habitat. Juvenile Wood Pigeon The wood pigeon is the largest pigeon in the UK, measuring 38-43 cm and weighing 480-550 grams. The bird can be identified by a distinctive white broken band around the rear of its neck and prominent white wing bars. Other than these features, the bird is basically sky grey with a pinkish breast. Juvenile birds have no neck markings until approximately 6 months of age, at which time they gain small white patches on either side of the neck which then develop into fully formed bands at approximately 8-9 months of age. Juvenile birds can also be distinguished from adults by a dark grey beak adults have a yelloworange beak with a white cere. Juvenile Wood Pigeon Being Fed The beak of the juvenile may appear to be disproportionately large relative to that of the adult. The wood pigeon breeds between June and November, but can breed much earlier in the year depending on weather conditions and food sources. Wood pigeons breed in trees and bushes, although the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PiCAS International) has confirmed several instances of the bird breeding on buildings in recent years. PiCAS International also confirmed that wood pigeons have been found breeding in flower boxes on a modern high-rise office building in Central London close to London Bridge. Woodland areas are the natural choice for wood pigeons when breeding, but the birds are now commonly found exploiting trees in domestic gardens and parkland as a result of persecution and the removal of habitats in rural areas. Wood pigeons lay two white eggs in a very basic nest made of twigs, with eggs hatching in 17-19 days. Wood Pigeons Mating The young fledge at 33-37 days but can fledge much earlier or stay in the nest longer in some circumstances. Wood Pigeon in Flight Wood pigeons will exploit multiple food sources, including vegetables, short grass (particularly manicured lawns), young shoots, seedlings and cultivated grain. The birds ability to exploit multiple food sources and to adapt to different habitats is almost certainly why it is so successful. The wood pigeon is a flock bird and can be seen in huge flocks numbering many thousands of birds in rural areas, particularly in mid winter when exploiting agricultural crops. Flock of Wood Pigeons The wood pigeon is slaughtered in huge numbers, often illegally. by farmers and those selling shooting rights on their land. With the decline in conventional farming practices in the UK, more and more landowners are turning to shooting as a source of income. Wood Pigeons in a Field It is common for large quantities of grain to be distributed by those selling shooting services in an effort to attract more birds for guns. Wood pigeons, like most birds, breed according to the volume of food available to them and therefore this practice is almost certainly why the species is increasing in numbers at such an alarming rate. Over-shooting for profit is undoubtedly the main contributory factor in relation to the bird moving into urban habitats where it is starting to cause problems in residential gardens, according to PiCAS International. Wood Pigeon Shooting Collared dove or ring-necked dove The collared dove is not a native species to the UK, having been introduced in 1953 from Europe. Like the wood pigeon and the feral pigeon, the collared dove is an extremely successful species and although originally only found in warmer regions such as southern Europe, the bird has now spread as far as Scandinavia, north of the Arctic Circle. Collared Dove Neck Ring The collared dove is now a common visitor to gardens across the UK and numbers have risen dramatically over the last 44 years from an estimated 3,000 breeding pairs in 1964 to a staggering 298,000 breeding pairs in 2008, according to the RSPB. The collared dove is a small bird, smaller than the feral pigeon, measuring 31-33 cm and weighing 150-220 grams. It is a pinkish grey colour all over with the exception of a narrow black band around the rear of the neck and dark wing tips on the primary flight feathers. The beak is black in the adult, the iris is a prominent orange colour and the pupil is black the whole eye may appear to be black when viewed from a distance. Juvenile birds form the black neck collar at 4-6 months of age and have a brownish beak, which may appear to be disproportionally large relative to the adult. Collared doves breed almost exclusively in trees or bushes and build a very basic nest made of small twigs. Breeding takes place between FebruaryMarch and October, but the birds can breed earlier or later depending on weather conditions and food sources. Collared Dove Squab in Nest Nests will be found close to human habitation where food supplies are optimum, normally in residential gardens and parks. The birds lay two white eggs which hatch in 15-18 days, with the young fledging after 17-22 days. Collared doves are a seed eating bird and will often be found exploiting food on bird tables, around industrial facilities such as grain mills and around farm buildings. The birds can be found in rural areas and occasionally in town and city centre locations, according to PiCAS International, but they are more often found in urban and semi-rural areas. Stock dove The stock dove is a bird similar in both size and appearance to the rock dove and feral pigeon. These similarities make it difficult to identify and most stock doves are misidentified as being rock dovesferal pigeons. Distribution is wide throughout the UK other than parts of Scotland and Ireland, with over half of the European population being found in the UK. The RSPB estimates the number of breeding pairs in the UK to be 309,000, making the bird even more widespread than the collared dove. The stock dove measures 32-34 cm in length with an average weight of 290-330 grams, almost identical to the rock dove and feral pigeon. The head and beak of the bird are similar to a wood pigeon, although smaller, with a yelloworange beak and a slightly domed head. The body of the bird is a more compact version of the rock doveferal pigeon with slightly less defined markings. The bird has two small wings bars that are barely noticeable when the wing is folded and more iridescent colouring around the neck than the rock doveferal pigeon. The back of the stock dove is a uniform grey colour, whereas the back of a rock doveferal pigeon is white, but this feature is difficult to see except when the bird is in flight. The stock dove breeds between March and SeptemberOctober, nesting on rocky outcrops or cliff faces and sometimes cavities in trees created when branches have fallen in gales. The bird lays 2 white eggs that hatch in 17 to 19 days, with young fledging after approximately 30 days. Food sources include seeds, leaves, buds, flowers and vegetables, but like the wood pigeon, the birds will also graze on cropped grass. The stock dove is a shy and solitary bird and normally found in rural areas, mainly farmland, moorland and open parkland areas with large deciduous trees. The bird is rarely found in urban areas. Although the stock dove inhabits the same areas as the wood pigeon, it is rarely found in large flocks, with birds more likely to be seen in pairs rather than in numbers. Like the wood pigeon, the stock dove is shot extensively due to its natural habitat on farmland, often illegally and mainly for sport, but in the name of control. Turtle dove The turtle dove is the rarest member of the columbidae family resident in the UK and is a migratory bird, arriving in the UK in late April or May and leaving any time between July and September. The bird spends the winter month in areas south of the Sahara. The RSPB estimates the numbers of pairs currently breeding in the UK to be 44,000. Modern farming methods have impacted on the breeding success of the turtle dove, with a significant reduction in the number of nesting sites as a result of the removal of natural hedgerows, unkept areas of scrub and hawthorns. The wholesale illegal slaughter of migratory birds in southern Europe has also had a devastating impact on numbers. According to the State of Europes Common Birds Report of 2007, the turtle dove population in Europe has fallen by 62 in recent years. The turtle dove is also the smallest of all the members of the columbidae family resident in the UK, measuring 26-28 cm in length and weighing 130-180 grams. The bird is very similar to the collared dove in outline but with extraordinary orange-brown and black wing markings with a whitishpink head and breast. On each side of the neck there is a small barred black and white patch and the back is a brownish grey colour. The tail feathers are black with white tips. The eye rims are a distinctive red colour with an orange iris and black pupil. Juveniles are duller in colour, appearing to be a dullish brown and lacking the neck patch of the adult. The beak of the juvenile will also appear to be disproportionately large in relation to that of adult. The turtle dove breeds in rural or semi-rural areas and is rarely seen in areas of human habitation. It is an extremely shy bird, although it will, very occasionally, nest in a semi-rural garden and feed on bird tables. It breeds between May and August, returning to its winter home once the young have fledged. It builds a basic nest of small twigs and lays 1 or 2 white eggs. The eggs hatch between 15 and 18 days and the young fledge after 16-21 days. Main food sources include cereal crops, weeds that have gone to seed, buds and leaves. The bird is only found in southern England and in some eastern areas of Wales. The future for the turtle dove does not look positive with breeding habitats on the decline and large increases in illegal shooting and netting in Mediterranean areas. The large decline in numbers suggests that unless the bird is better protected it may become a rare and infrequent visitor to the UK and may eventually die out altogether. Since early history, the pigeon has lived alongside man and been exploited by man for food, sport and as a messenger, courtesy of the birds unique ability to return to its nest and its mate from huge distances. The feral pigeon is now one of the most successful and resourceful species on the planet and is found in virtually every part of the globe with the exception of the Sahara Desert and the two Polar ice caps. The bird has adapted to survive in extreme weather conditions and in temperatures ranging from -50 to 50, yet it has still managed to proliferate. The pigeon is one of the most intelligent species on the planet and able to undertake tasks that were previously thought to be the sole preserve of humans and primates. The pigeon can pass the mirror test (being able to recognise its own reflection in a mirror) and can even recognise all 26 letters of the alphabet, and man has exploited this intelligence and these abilities for thousands of years. The pigeon has served man faithfully and often heroically throughout. However, in the 21st century the pigeon has at last outlived its usefulness and is slaughtered by the millions for commercial gain, often illegally. without a thought to the debt of gratitude that is owed to the bird. In the last 50 years the pigeon has been persecuted by man to the point where virtually any other species would have disappeared altogether, but unlike the passenger pigeon, which was wiped out in North America in the early 20th century as a result of over hunting, the feral pigeon continues to thrive. Millions of urban pigeons are killed annually by the pest control industry for commercial gain and yet the bird continues to be perceived as an ever-growing problem in towns and cities worldwide. Why is this Basically because killing pigeons as a method of control actually increases pigeon flock size. Furthermore, the source of the problem, available food. is rarely dealt with. Pigeons breed all year round and according to the extent of food available to them. If food is readily available, and assuming that good roosting and breeding opportunities exist, the feral pigeon will breed between 4 and 8 times a year, bringing two young into the world each time. A juvenile pigeon can breed in its first year of life. Simple maths confirms that unless available food is strictly controlled, pigeons will rapidly breed out of control, resulting in overpopulations in areas of human habitation. To add to this, scientific research and research carried out by PiCAS International has proved that when pigeons from a feeding flock are killed as a method of control, flock size will increase by between 12 and 30 within a matter of months, further entrenching the problem. So why do we still kill pigeons as a method of control and fail to deal with the issue of available food Not only because the pest control industry is dependent on the huge annual income derived from killing pigeons but also because councils and other bodies either choose quick fix culling options to control pigeons or choose to ignore the problem altogether rather than implementing sustainable control systems that deal with the source of the problem. It must therefore be concluded that pigeon problems are, in reality, people problems and must be dealt with as such. Although it may appear that the solution to the problem is relatively straightforward stop killing pigeons ) as a method of control and reduce available food the reality is far from straightforward. The pest control industry pumps out huge volumes of propaganda suggesting that pigeons are disease carriers and that they pose a significant threat to human health. A majority of this misinformation has no basis in fact, or is wildly exaggerated, but it has the desired effect and the public is quickly convinced that pigeons pose a real health risk when in reality they pose little or no risk at all. Billions of pounds annually are spent on culling operations worldwide and yet this simply has the effect of increasing the size of pigeon populations. It is certainly not in the best interests of the pest control industry to cease offering these services. Furthermore, the deliberate and persistent daily feeding of pigeon populations with large quantities of food compounds the problem by further encouraging pigeons to breed. The pest control industry will not desist from culling because it generates a huge proportion of its annual profits from this source, and those that feed pigeons refuse to stop doing so for fear of pigeons dying as a result. So what is the answer An organisation called the Pigeon Control Advisory Service International (PiCAS International) pioneered a method of controlling feral pigeon populations that not only deals with the main problem associated with pigeons, the soiling of buildings, but also reduces pigeon flock size humanely and effectively via birth control. The system is discussed in detail in the Artificial Breeding Facilities document that can be found in the Product Review Section. The system is simple and inexpensive to set up and maintain and results in a massive decrease in pigeon flock size if implemented as recommended. The system is now used to great effect in many European countries and some users of the system have even suggested that the degree of control gained over pigeon flock size by this option negates the need to restrict the feeding of pigeons. However, even if a holistic and sustainable control system of this type is initiated, there is a clear need to reduce the use of lethal controls and stop the irresponsible feeding of feral flocks. Even though man no longer has a need for the pigeon in the 21st century, there is clearly still a place for this much-loved and much-maligned bird. Slowly we are realising that we cannot wipe out wild bird populations just because they are inconvenient or unwelcome - particularly when the source of the problem is human. With the advent of the Internet and the wider availability of information, we are learning how and why problems such as those associated with the feral pigeon exist and how we can better deal with them. We also know that pigeon populations can be controlled in a humane and effective manner and that to continue to use commercially motivated controls such as culling is not only morally wrong (and often illegal ) but also counterproductive. The future may not be full of hope for the pigeon, but the bird has survived in close association with man for over 10,000 years and it is likely that it will continue to do so well into the future. Warm thanks to Dr Jean Hansell and her late husband Dr Peter Hansell, without whose wonderful and comprehensive books on the history of the pigeon this document could not have been written. PCRC, Unit 4, Sabre Buildings, Sabre Close, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6TW
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