10 Notable Facts About Pigeons

Pigeons are incredible birds of the Columbidae family. They derive their name from the Latin word “pipio,” which means “a young chirping bird.” Pigeons inhabit a variety of habitats, including temperate forests, deciduous forests, rainforests, arboreal, and swampy areas. They can also quickly adapt to rural, urban, and suburban landscapes. Pigeons have also been used for a variety of roles, including carrying messages in wars. But that’s not all there is to know about them, so here are ten incredible facts about pigeons!

1. Pigeons Have a Map Sense

According to a publication in the Nature Journal, pigeons have map and compass senses that help them determine direction. This allows them to find their way back to the nest from 1,300 miles away. Research theories point out the basis of this to be through the help of olfactory and magnetic cues, though this has been the subject of debate in other research.

2. Pigeons Have Been Deployed in Wars

Following on from the previous fact, pigeons’ homing abilities also meant that they made important contributions to war efforts by carrying important messages to and from the battlefields. Notably, thousands of pigeons served in World War I and II, but they also served in many earlier wars around the world. One particularly notable pigeon was Cher Ami, who completed a critical mission and delivered a message that ultimately led to the rescue of 194 stranded United States soldiers on October 4, 1918.

3. Pigeons Are Highly Respected in Several Religions

Pigeons signify various things in different religions. White pigeons are considered by Christians to be a symbol of peace and purity, as well as the holy spirit. In Islam, pigeons have a special place and must be treated as such. Large flocks of pigeons can be sighted near mosques being fed on grains by the faithful. Islam has granted these birds safety, sanctity, peace, and freedom. In Mecca, large flocks can be found being fed by pilgrims. The Sikhs are keen to feed and care for the pigeons’ well-being in honor of Guru Gobind Singh, who was considered a friend of the rock dove.

4. Pigeons Are the World’s First Domesticated Birds

Pigeons are subtle and obliging birds with good temperaments, which makes them very easy to domesticate. Archaeologists estimate that the Sumerians in Mesopotamia started domesticating wild pigeons and were the first people to do so. Pictures of pigeons were even discovered that date back to 4,500 BCE in modern Iraq. Since then, pigeons have been wonderful pets, spiritual symbols, and valuable food sources for thousands of years.

5. Pigeons Are Complex and Brilliant Birds

Pigeons aren’t just clever enough to carry messages thousands of miles away, but they are also able to differentiate between paintings, pictures of trees, water bodies, and people, according to research on record in the American Psychological Association. It has also been discovered that pigeons can differentiate between actual words and strings of letters.

6. Pigeons Are Incredible Athletes

Homing pigeons are known to fly over five hundred miles at speeds of 60 miles per hour or more in a single day without making stopovers for food or water. They have become the subject of an internationally famous sport, pigeon racing, because of their speed. 

The sport of pigeon racing involves releasing trained pigeons and having them fly back to their loft. The time and distance they take to fly back home are carefully considered to determine the winner.

7. Pigeons Are Very Social Birds 

Pigeons are highly sociable. They are often sighted in groups of 20 to 30 birds. If you keep them as pets, you will most likely notice that they don’t like being alone.

8. Pigeons Have Famous Fanciers

Pigeons are one of the most revered animals, attracting the love of some of the most popular people, from members of royal families to famous scientists and politicians. King Edward, Queen Elizabeth, and King George have maintained a royal loft because of their love for pigeons. Other famous pigeon fanciers include Mike Tyson, Elvis Presley, Ray Rice, Charles Darwin, and Walt Disney.

9. Pigeons Are Very Fast

Following on from our facts about pigeons carrying messages, it’s important to point out just how fast these incredible birds really are. Typically, pigeons can reach speeds of around 50 to 60 mph. However, some can achieve a top speed of 90 mph.

10. Pigeons Mate for Life

Pigeons mate for life and will raise two to three broods of two eggs per year. However, if one partner dies, the survivor will generally attempt to find another mate. A courting male pursues his target on the ground, circling her from time to time with his inflated neck feathers and spread tail, bowing and cooing until he wins her.