Domestic Pigeon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Domestic Rock Pigeon | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Red Sheffield domestic homing pigeon
|
||||||||||||||
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||
|
Domesticated
|
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Columba livia Gmelin, 1789[1] |
The domestic pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) was derived from the Rock Pigeon. The Rock pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics.[2] Research suggests that domestication of pigeons was as early as ten thousand years ago.[2] People who keep domestic pigeons are generally called pigeon fanciers.[3]
Pigeons have made contributions of considerable importance to humanity, especially in times of war.[3] In war the homing ability of pigeons has been put to use by making them messengers. So-called war pigeons have carried many vital messages and some have been decorated for their services. Medals such as the Croix de guerre, awarded to Cher Ami, and the Dickin Medal awarded to the pigeons G.I. Joe and Paddy, amongst 32 others, have been awarded to pigeons for their gallant and brave services in saving human lives. Despite this, many people consider pigeons to be pests.
Contents |
[edit] Reproduction
Domestic pigeons reproduce in a similar way to the wild Rock Pigeon. Generally humans will select breeding partners. Crop milk produced by parent birds may occasionally be replaced with artificial substitutes. See Also:-Gallery
[edit] Homing pigeons
Trained domestic pigeons are able to return to the home loft if released at a location that they have never visited before and that may be up to 1000 km away. A special breed, called homing pigeons has been developed through selective breeding to carry messages and members of this variety of pigeon are still being used in the sport of pigeon racing and the white release dove ceremony at weddings and funerals.
Pigeons' extraordinary navigation abilities have been attributed to the theory that they are able to sense the Earth's magnetic field with tiny magnetic tissues in their head (magnetoception). This is all the more surprising as they are not a migratory species, which is a fact used by some ornithologists to dispute the "compass pigeon" theory.
[edit] Other purposes of pigeon breeding
[edit] For food
Pigeons are also bred for meat, generally called squab and harvested from young birds. Pigeons grow to a very large size in the nest before they are fledged and able to fly, and in this stage of their development (when they are called squabs) they are prized as food. For commercial meat production a breed of large white pigeon, named "King pigeon," has been developed by selective breeding. Breeds of Pigeons developed for their meat are collectively known as Utility Pigeons.
[edit] Exhibition breeds
Pigeon fanciers developed many exotic forms of pigeon. These are generally classed as Fancy pigeons. The Fanciers compete against each other at exhibitions or shows and the different forms or breeds are judged to a standard to decide who has the best bird. Among those breeds are the English Carriers, a variety of pigeon with wattles and a unique, almost vertical, stance (pictures). There are many ornamental breeds of pigeons, including the "Duchess" breed, which has as a prominent characteristic feet that are completely covered by a sort of fan of feathers. The Fantails are also very ornamental with their fan-shaped tail feathers.
[edit] Flying/Sporting
Pigeons are also kept by enthusiasts for the enjoyment of Flying/Sporting competitions. Breeds such as Tipplers are flown in endurance contests by their owners.
[edit] Experimentation
Domestic pigeons are also commonly used in laboratory experiments in biology, medicine and cognitive science.
[edit] Cognitive science
They have been trained to distinguish between cubist and impressionist paintings, for instance. In another project, pigeons were shown to be more effective than humans in spotting shipwreck victims at sea. Research in pigeons is widespread, encompassing shape and texture perception, exemplar and prototype memory, category-based and associative concepts, and many more unlisted here (see Pigeon intelligence and discrimination abilities of pigeons).
[edit] Illegally killing predators
In the US, some pigeon keepers illegally trap and kill hawks and falcons to protect their pets, as they can pose a threat to their pigeons[4]. In American pigeon-related organizations, enthusiasts sometimes openly share their experiences of killing hawks and falcons, although this is quite rare, and frowned upon by the majority of fanciers. None of the major clubs, condone or support this practice. It is estimated that almost 1000 birds of prey have been killed in Oregon and Washington, and that 1 to 2 thousand are killed in southern California annually. In June 2007, three Oregon men were indicted with misdemeanour violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for killing birds of prey. Seven Californians and a Texan have also been charged in the case.
[edit] Pigeon Lung
Pigeon breeders sometimes suffer from an ailment known as Pigeon Lung. A form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Pigeon Lung is caused by the inhalation of the avian proteins found in feathers and dung. It can sometimes be combated by wearing a filtered mask.[5]
[edit] Feral pigeons
Many domestic birds have escaped or been released over the years, and have given rise to the feral pigeon. These show a variety of plumages, although some look very like the pure Rock Pigeons. The scarcity of the pure wild species is partly due to interbreeding with feral birds.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 (Web data). ITIS Report. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
- ^ a b Blechman, Andrew (2007). Pigeons-The fascinating saga of the world's most revered and reviled bird.. St Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press. ISBN 9780702236419.
- ^ a b Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0853900132.
- ^ Milstein, Michael. "Fight pits pigeon, hawk lovers", The Oregonian, June 09, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-06-11.
- ^ Boyd, Gavin; Din Ismail, Philip Lynch, Charles McSharry. Process Of Pigeon Fancier�s Allergic Alveolitis.Current research activity into Pigeon Lung in Scotland: Epidemiological Studies. (Web article). British Pigeon Fanciers Medical Research. Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
