Mens en duifIt may be astonishing to us now, but the pigeon was once a vital part of human culture and society. It is unclear when rock doves were domesticated, but they first appear in written history on Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets from over 5,000 years ago. Some estimates put pigeon domestication closer to 10,000 years ago. Given the fragility of bird bones and their poor preservation in the
fossil and archeological record, it may be some time before we can narrow down the date any further.
Pigeons were originally farmed as a food source. Chicken and geese were domesticated earlier, but pigeons were the dominant meat bird in the Middle East and Europe for thousands of years. Pigeons made for good eating and the unerring ability of a pigeon to find its way home gave rise to another valuable use: Homing pigeons.
It’s easy to take communication for granted in the days of telephones and the internet, but carrier pigeons were the cutting-edge technology of the past. As early as 3,000 years ago, people were sending messages attached to pigeons. They were sent between cities in ancient Rome to announce winners of the Olympics and the results of chariot race bets. Genghis Khan had a system of pigeon relays that spanned from Asia to Eastern Europe and allowed him to keep in contact with even the far reaches of his empire.
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The pigeon was once held in high regard. Because of our close partnership with the species, people were able to learn a lot about the habits and life cycle of the pigeon. They found that pigeons were monogamous and often mated for life. Both parents care for offspring, and though they are peaceful and intelligent, they protect their
nest fiercely. These pigeon behaviors are also esteemed human behaviors, and the pigeon was brought into this esteem as well.
Pigeons and doves figure prominently in many religions, like the dove of Noah’s ark. In China, pigeons and doves represent longevity and fidelity. Pigeons used to be valued medicinally as well, and it was believed that their meat could cure diseases like plagues and palsies. Our appreciation of pigeons in the past is a far cry from the loathing they receive today. How did the pigeon fall so far from grace? It’s all a matter of perspective.
Before the pigeon was considered winged vermin, there was another bird that held that dubious title: The house sparrow. The house sparrow is another nonnative bird that has formed invasive populations in North America. They were first introduced in New York City in 1852 to combat the destructive linden moth. The house sparrow would go on to spread throughout the United States.
In the 19th century, the house sparrow was just as hated as pigeons are today. They were called filthy and immoral, and were condemned as immigrants in a time when human immigrants were mistrusted. It was thought that they were causing the decline of native bird species through over-competition. Like the pigeon, they were and still are common features of urban ecosystems