For more information
on other animals found at Cub Creek Science Camp visit our
animal page.
Pigeons
Pigeons have lived alongside man for
thousands of years with the first images of pigeons being
found by archaeologists in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) and
dating back to 3000 BC. It was the Sumerians in Mesopotamia
that first started to breed white doves from the wild pigeon
that we see in our towns and cities today and this
undoubtedly accounts for the amazing variety of colors that
are found in the average flock of urban pigeons. To ancient
peoples a white pigeon would have seemed miraculous and this
explains why the bird was widely worshipped and considered
to be sacred. Throughout human history the pigeon has
adopted many roles ranging from symbols of gods and
goddesses through to sacrificial victims, messengers, pets,
food and even war heroes!
The earliest large scale communication
network using pigeons as messengers was established in Syria
and Persia about 5th Century BC. Much later in the 12th
Century AD the city of Baghdad and all the main towns and
cities in
Syria and Egypt were linked by
messages carried by pigeons. This was the sole
source of communication. In Roman times the pigeon was used
to carry results of sporting events such as the Olympic
Games and this is why white doves are released at the start
of the Olympic Games today. In England, prior to the days
of telegraphs, pigeons were often taken to soccer matches
and released to carry home the result of the game.
Their use as a messenger in war time
resulted in many pigeons being awarded honors by both the
British and French Governments. Incredibly, the last
‘pigeon post’ service was abandoned in India in 2004 with
the birds being retired to live out the rest of their days
in peace.
At Cub Creek Science Camp we have a flock of
pigeons the roost in the upper part of one of our open air
animal shelters at the Ranch. They are free
ranging making nests where they want. While on the
perch they make soft cooing noises. We have a variety
of colors and types including, Homing pigeons, Roller
Pigeons and Archangel pigeons. During the summer
our Science Camp campers get the opportunity to help hand
raise baby pigeons.
