Saturday, 27 March 2010

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

The Flight of the Carrier Pigeon

Carrier Pigeons Discovered




Pigeons were used during the Roman Empire and by the Egyptians as far back as 2900 B.C., when incoming ships released pigeons to carry news of important guests arriving. Ancient Greece used homing pigeons to carry news of winners of Olympic competitions back to hometowns. During the 11th century in Baghdad, the one-way message system of carrier pigeons was developed. Until 1844, upon the invention of the telegraph, carrier pigeons were the fastest and most reliable form of message-transmission. Pigeons can reach top speeds of 45 miles per hour.



Carrier Pigeons Save the Day



During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871, occupying forces cut the telegraph wires of Paris. City residents sent carrier pigeons out of the city via hot-air balloon, releasing one pigeon after the balloon made it safely out of the city, to alert residents that the pigeons had made it out. The pigeons, with messages attached, were released back into the city, carrying their messages between dwellings. From that war, on, military commanders were outfitted with regiments of carrier pigeons, trained to fly back to lofts beyond the war front. The messages they carried could then be read and utilized by military commanders.



During World War I, the most famous homing pigeon of all, Cher Ami which is French for 'My Friend', saved the lost battalion of American soldiers from being surrounded by the Germans, and fired upon by friendly fire of fellow American soldiers aiming for the Germans and missing them. The pigeon flew through a torrent of bullets to deliver its message to a military post away from the front, alerting commanders that the battalion needed help. For its honorable and brave deed, Cher Ami was awarded the French Cross of War medal. Upon its' passing, the bird was stuffed, and put on display at the Smithsonian Institute. Military personnel also used carrier pigeons during World War II and the Korean War. Many pigeons from each war earned military honors for their contribution.



Carrier Pigeons are One-Way Messengers



Carrier pigeons, or homing pigeons, are trained to return back to a specific pigeon loft. Therefore, message sending and receiving only works in one direction. The message sender must have a pigeon that will fly back to the message receiver. Messages are written on very light paper (cigarette paper), and rolled into tiny canisters affixed to the birds legs. This method of communication is called Pigeon Post.



Research indicates that these birds use a variety of mechanisms in order to home in on their destination. Magnetite, a substance in the birds beak, works via the trigeminal nerve to sense magnetic fields in the earth. Recent studies also indicate that olfactory senses help the birds navigate. Once they get close to their home destination, it is hypothesized that carrier pigeons also navigate by sight, recognizing familiar landmarks.



Modern Uses of Carrier Pigeons



Homing pigeons are no longer routinely used for message delivery, with the last official military regiments in India retiring a few years ago due to the rise of internet communications. Carrier pigeons first lost their jobs with the invention of the telegraph, but were widely used again for about 75 years in military services around the world.



Carrier pigeons have even been used to transmit internet signals! The IP address IPoAC (Internet Protocol over Avian Carrier) was created in the late 1990s. Until April 28, 2001, nobody had used this IP. The Bergen Linux User Group decided to transmit data via the IPoAC and, with the help of a local Carrier Pigeon enthusiasts club, successfully transmitted several packets of data. Unfortunately, some of the data was lost, as some of the pigeons did not return to their home lofts!



Now that the internet has taken over as the fastest means of communication, homing pigeons are mainly used for pigeon racing. The sport is huge in Belgium, with daily pigeon weather reports broadcast over radio stations. In the United States, the American Racing Pigeon Union regulates pigeon racing, and keeps a registry of pigeon band numbers. All domesticated homing pigeons are outfitted with a band at the age of five weeks, which contains a number and a chip that is scanned when the pigeons return home during pigeon races.



Raising and Training Carrier Pigeons



To raise a successful flock of carrier pigeons, you must create a pigeon loft. The loft should be composed of indoor and outdoor space. Pigeons need places to rest or roost, food and sources of water to drink and bathe in.



Pigeons mate for life. When pigeons are born, they are covered in yellow down. They grow their grey-colored feathers soon after birth. At the age of four weeks, the chicks will begin flying around the pigeon loft. At six weeks, they can fly outside of the loft, and at two months can begin road training. Pigeons fly one way, and that is home. When training a homing pigeon, take it further away each time you release it. Once it has successfully returned home 40 times, it is ready to race.



Carrier pigeons are the unsung heroes of military conflicts past. They were the first official sports announcers, and kept war-weary citizens in touch with each other. Now used for racing, and, in some parts of the world, message-sending for special occasions, pigeons continue to be part of world culture.



Becca Reese is the owner of http://www.birdbaths4u.com//. My site will educate you on the different styles, materials, where to place, and the maintenance required of these extraordinary garden accessories. Visit our Articles of Interest section for more interesting articles on our feathered friends.



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Friday, 19 March 2010

Tips on Pigeon Control

Pigeons are found in every corner of the world. Considering the amount of nuisance they create, it is very important to control them. This can be done by adopting an effective pigeon control measure.

Need for control on pigeons:

The most common problem involving pigeons is that their droppings contain a high amount of uric acid that causes discoloration of paints and erosion of metals. In rural areas, pigeons create lot of problems for farmers. Therefore, it is very important to have a proper pigeon control strategy.

Tips on pigeon & bird control:

The most preferred pigeon control methods are exclusion, deterrence, crop management and population or infest reduction. Numerous ways exist by which people can stop the nuisance of pigeons. These include:

1. Natural pigeon control: You can prevent pigeons from encroaching areas such as terrace and courtyard by using 'block-off nesting' and netting techniques. You may also make use of several strong spices such as pepper, garlic and cayenne, which act as deterrents for pigeons and reduce their infestation in the gardens. Natural pigeon control methods do not harm them physically.

2. Pigeon spikes: Pigeon spikes are a common product used in bird control method. They prevent pigeons from nesting on the roof, ledge or any other habitation area. 'Defender 4T pigeon spikes' are the most effective and economical spikes available for pigeon & bird control.

3. Bird spikes: 'Defender 4T', a kind of bird spike, is a very effective pigeon control tool.

4. Pigeon deterrents: They offer effective and safe protection from property damage caused by nesting pigeons.

5. Bird repellents: This bird repellent has 13-inch long plastic base along with multiple stainless steel wires that protrude upwards in 4 different angles. They can be used as physical barriers to prevent pigeon encroachment.

6. Pigeon wires: You can also prefer installing pigeon wires on your terrace or courtyard. Pigeon wires are not only affordable, but also very effective pigeon control tools.

7. Anti-roosting bird spikes: These kinds of spikes, when glued on to windows and other areas where pigeons flourish, work effectively. Its protruding pins do not hurt pigeons but compel them to find other roosting places.

Pigeon droppings also contain many pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. These pathogens are responsible for transmitting pigeon diseases such as Coccidiosis, Collibacillosis, Pigeon pox, Paratyphoid and Paramyxovirus. Therefore, it will be beneficial for you to adopt any of the above-mentioned pigeon control methods.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Asaf_Reich