I Don't Know Squab

So what's my expertise in the pigeon-verse?


Virtually none.


The only thing I knew about pigeons before my gig as the CRPU's Special Events Coordinator, was that Pigeons were a pretty intelligent bird, forming the trifecta of animal behavioural research subjects (along with primates and lab mice).


In the past weeks, these are the most interesting things I learned about my new feathered BFFs:

Pigeons and Doves and Dodos, Oh my!


Pigeons belong to the family Columbidae which also includes Doves and the exinct Dodo bird. For more info on the family tree click here.


They have been used since ancient times



They are said to be the first domesticated bird.  Although there are disputes on the exact date, they may have been used for food as far back as 3000 BCE.  Click here for more info on pigeons in antiquity and other historical uses. 

They are war heroes


Although most think of GI Joe as a line of action figures, it was also the name of a carrier pigeon in the United States Army Pigeon Service that saved over one thousand lives.  For this he was awarded the Dickin Medal.  Click here for other famous War Pigeons.



Frequent Flyers


Although there is a discrepancy on the exact speed, homing pigeons can fly up to 95 km/h (59 mph), and average a speed around 48 km/h (30 mph).  Pigeons races are usually in kilometres between 150-250 (short) , 250-350 (medium) ,400-600 (long).  Although distances of up to 1000 km have been covered.


All the News that's Fit to Fly

New service Reuters used carrier pigeons to close the gap in the telegraph line between Brussels and Berlin in its early days.  This was not the first time pigeons have been used, to carry news.  Click here for a history of the pigeon post.


They have the world’s weirdest celebrity entourage


Noah, was a pigeon fancier of biblical proportions.  Even Royalty is a fan of our feathered friends.  Queen Elizabeth II, reigning monarch of England and the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley kept pigeons.    And, probably the biggest pigeon fan of all - former heavyweight champion Iron Mike Tyson, who has a reality show about pigeon racing to debut in 2011.


They produce milk for their young

Pigeons are one of three birds that produce 'milk' in their crop which they regurgitate for their young.  This highly nutritious substance is not like mammalian milk at all in appearance - it is said to more closely resemble cottage cheese. It does however produce sustenance for the young, and includes more fat and protein than human or cow milk.

How moo-ving.

Thank you, thank you, I'll be posting all week =)

Coming Soon:  Joining the World of Pigeon Racers, and Pigeon Terminology A-Z.