Carrier pigeon

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A Carrier pigeon is a breed of Homing Pigeon (specifically a domesticated Rock Pigeon, Columba livia) that has been used to carry messages. Using pigeons to carry messages is generally called "pigeon post." Most homing/racing type varieties can be used to carry messages. There is no specific breed actually called "Carrier pigeon," so a Carrier pigeon is basically any variety that is used to carry messages. Carrier pigeons that were the basic Racing Homer were used to carry messages in World War I and World War II and are nowadays used for pigeon racing. Thirty-two pigeons were presented with the Dickin Medal.

Carrier Pigeon

Carrier pigeons should not be confused with English Carriers, which were once used many years ago to carry messages but are now bred primarily for their "carriage" and other show qualities.^[1]

The Egyptians and the Persians first used carrier pigeons 3,000 years ago. They also were used to proclaim the winner of the Olympics.^[2]

Tipu Sultan used carrier pigeons. They returned to the Jamia Masjid mosque in Srirangapatna, which was his headquarters. The pigeon holes may be seen in the mosque's minarets to this day.

Pigeon holes in Tipu Sultan's Jamia Masjid mosque in Srirangapatna, India

Carrier pigeons played a vital part in World War II communication for D-Day as radios could not be used for fear of vital information being intercepted by the enemy.

The humorous IP over Avian Carriers (RFC 1149) is an Internet protocol for the transmission of messages via homing pigeon. Originally intended as an April Fools' Day RFC entry, this protocol has in fact been implemented and used, once, to transmit a message in Bergen, Norway on April 28, 2001. ^[3]