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Pigeons: A Human Ally

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« on: March 21, 2009, 03:00:48 pm »


Pigeons: A Human Ally
Serving Mankind for Thousands of Years
BY JENNIFER PETERSON
Animal Tracks is a series of articles from Noah’s Ark Animal Foundation exploring the human/animal connection. For information about dog or cat adoptions, visit www.noahsark.org.
Say the word “pigeon” today, and the image that most readily comes to mind is that of the feral pigeon, sometimes referred to as a “rat with wings.” Its plentiful numbers in bustling city centers often put it in the category of “pest,” and all manner of devices and techniques—some humane and some less so—are employed in a seemingly never-ending battle to remove them from sky-rise window ledges, road structures, and countless other pigeon-friendly nesting and roosting spots. Pigeons are unique among birds because they will rarely roost in trees, preferring man-made materials like concrete and metal—a trait closely linked to that of their ancestor, the rock dove, which roosts on rocky cliffs. This makes the city an ideal pigeon habitat.
And yet, this animosity toward pigeons has only a short history. For thousands of years, pigeons have been one of our strongest allies. Earliest known uses included food and fertilizer (pigeon droppings are rich in nitrogen), and pigeons also carried a strong religious meaning in many faiths—most often a symbol of peace and prosperity, a significance we prefer to link to doves today.
The most noteworthy contributions of pigeons stem from their strong and mysterious homing ability. They are capable of flying hundreds of miles to return to their mate and nest; and they possess a strong drive to do so at all costs. Historically, this trait made them valuable messengers in the sky. The young news company Reuters became renowned for the speed with which it could gather information, primarily due to its extensive use of pigeons to deliver news reports to the central offices.
Pigeons were also valuable assets in wartime. Military officials sent general communications, messages of victory, or urgent requests for assistance by pigeon, and as birds travel faster than human messengers, and do not have to allow for rivers, mountains, or forests, they proved a godsend. They could also cross enemy lines more easily than horsemen or runners, and were less noticeable.
After World War I, the United States and European countries honored about 40 pigeon “war heroes,” including the famous Cher Ami, who saved an American battalion that was being fired on by other American soldiers. Despite having been shot several times, Cher Ami returned to his loft with the message “Our artillery is dropping a barrage on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it!”
Today, cell phones and other wireless communications eliminate much of the need for homing pigeons. However, the birds continue to be used, albeit relatively obscurely, for racing. The sport of racing pigeons originated in the very early 1800s in Belgium and gradually worked its way to the U.S. toward the end of the 19th century. The sport experienced a rise in popularity throughout World War I and II.
Among fanciers, a pigeon race is referred to as a “race with one start and many finishes.” It begins at a single point. Each participating loft sends some of its best birds to this start. All pigeons are released at once, then each bird beats its way to its home loft. The pigeon’s owner notes the bird’s arrival time, and later, fellow racers regroup to study their results. Because lofts are at different distances from the starting point, the bird with the best average speed to its loft takes first prize.
To be a successful racer, pigeon handlers must treat their birds with great care. Racing pigeons receive regular exercise and nutritionally balanced feed. A sick, stressed, or overworked pigeon can develop fret marks—gaps, wrinkles, or rough areas—on wing feathers, inhibiting a bird’s flying ability. Damaged feathers can slow down a bird in a race often determined by mere seconds on the clock. For this reason, the birds are kept clean and parasite free, handled gently, and treated respectfully. Compared to the life of a feral pigeon, these racing pigeons live a very pampered life. Among pigeon aficionados, these birds are not “flying rats” – they are “racehorses of the sky”!
Pigeon racing is a very accessible sport compared to many other animal sports. Even young children and elderly citizens can handle a pigeon without risking injury, save perhaps the occasional scratch from the bird’s claws. Pigeons are also easier and cheaper to keep than dogs or horses, and their small size allows even apartment dwellers in the city to own them. Some city keepers care for a loft on the roof of their apartment complex. Nevertheless, the sport is in decline. Pigeon racing is not a very visible sport; lofts can be as small and unnoticeable as a garden shed in a backyard. Active pigeon racers today are usually older men who learned to handle and train pigeons during World War II. Now, innumerable other sports and pastimes compete for the attention of younger generations.
Interestingly, pigeon racing has recently gained notice among inner city youth as a humane alternative to dog or cock fighting. Unlike animal fighting, where the animals are usually badly abused, the avian athletes need extreme care to the point of coddling. Beneficial side effects for young racers include money (i.e., winnings from races), prestige among peers, a sense of accomplishment—and, most importantly, an increased respect for living creatures.
Though the feral pigeon is the most well-known type of pigeon in today’s society, in fact pigeons have a close and beneficial relationship with humans. Specially bred domestic pigeons have served mankind—feeding us, entertaining us, and saving our lives—for thousands of years. Not too shabby for a bird some consider a “flying rat”!
Jennifer Thomas lives and writes in Round Rock, Texas.
http://www.iowasource.com/animals/pigeons_1205.html

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