top of page
Search

Worthy Recognition

eaglesandowls816

Veteran's Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is a day to honor the men and women of the military for their devoted service. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson designated November 11th as Armistice Day to commemorate the unofficial end of World War I. This federal holiday now provides an opportunity for us to reflect and express gratitude for the sacrifices made by military personnel.

Aside from the courageous individuals who served in World War I and World War II, there were also hundreds of thousands of birds that contributed. I am specifically referring to homing pigeons, which worked alongside soldiers. I have been tending to homing pigeons for more than three decades, and we currently have a small flock of 6 at Wild Bird Adventures. These birds accompany me to educational programs to share insights about avian life.

Pigeons played vital roles across all military branches, delivering crucial messages and intelligence in tanks, planes, and ships. As their significance increased, the Germans deployed sharpshooters and falcons to intercept them before they could fulfill their missions. The French military began dyeing their pigeons black to resemble crows and avoid detection. Many pigeons were celebrated as heroes and received accolades following the conflicts, such as G.I. Joe, Cher Ami, Winkie, Commando, and others.

Scientists continue to investigate the mysteries of bird migration and the homing abilities of pigeons. While the exact mechanisms remain partly elusive, we understand that pigeons rely on visual landmarks, magnetoreception to navigate using Earth's magnetic field, infrasound, and smell. Regardless of the specific methods employed, we should all appreciate these brave feathered soldiers and the often overlooked role they played during the major conflicts.





4 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page