carrier pigeon

A 'carrier pigeon' is a breed of pigeon (specifically a domesticated Rock Pigeon, Columba livia) that has wattles, a nearly vertical stature, and that may once have been used to carry messages. The carrier pigeons of today are not good flyers; they are instead kept as an ornamental or fancy breed, valued for their unusual appearance. They are about 33 cm (about 13 inches) in length, with the male generally larger than the female.

Carrier Pigeon

Carrier pigeons should not be confused with homing pigeons, another variety of Columba livia. Homing pigeons, not carrier pigeons, were used to carry messages in World War I and World War II and are nowadays used for pigeon racing.

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

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

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

See also

• English Carrier

External links

• Carrier Pigeons, also known as English Carriers
• Photos of carrier pigeons

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