Chapter 1: The Fascinating World of Pigeons

What are your thoughts on pigeons? There are really only three acceptable responses: I LOVE THEM, I’m CRAZY ABOUT THEM, or PIGEONS ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! While I may not be an avid pigeon fan, I certainly respect these remarkable creatures. If you're unsure about your stance, you’re in the right place.

If you fall into the first category, I won’t be sharing anything new. You’ve likely seen Michelle Téa’s essential article or my comic from last year. Perhaps you’re just after the downloadable PDF of the "Things Pigeons Can Do" poster. If so, feel free to grab it and go!

For those in the second or third categories, or even the unspoken anti-pigeon group, gather 'round. Let's dive into what makes pigeons so remarkable.

Pigeons have a knack for engaging in human-like activities. Historically, they have been surprisingly kind to us, even when we haven’t deserved it. They've been trained to play ping-pong, race each other, and even form bonds with humans who show them affection. This is astonishing, especially considering that humans are often their greatest threat. Despite our mistreatment, pigeons have continuously been there for us.

Pigeons have played vital roles in conflicts and have saved lives. One of the most renowned war pigeons, Cher Ami, carried a critical message for a trapped battalion during World War I, all while severely injured. (Yes, he was awarded a Purple Heart.) Their intelligence and loyalty made them invaluable as spies and messengers during early warfare.

Even today, pigeons are trained to assist in life-saving missions. Thanks to their speed, excellent vision, and ability to see ultraviolet light, they are often more effective than humans in locating individuals lost at sea.

The first video, "Things you need to know about PIGEONS!" explores the various roles pigeons have played throughout history, highlighting their significance and adaptability.

Chapter 2: The Science Behind Pigeons

Did you know that pigeons were once used for delivering messages? Messenger pigeons have been around since at least the 5th century AD and can carry messages weighing up to 10% of their body weight. They even transported Olympic results in the days before mass communication. The last official pigeon post service didn't cease until 2004 in India, and some people still use pigeons for messaging today.

Pigeons are also surprisingly adept in scientific fields. A brief list of their capabilities includes:

• Performing basic arithmetic.
• Learning complex sequences of actions and reactions.
• Distinguishing between impressionist and abstract expressionist art.
• Identifying cancer cells more accurately than some doctors.
• Recognizing individual pigeons and humans.
• Understanding self-recognition in mirrors.
• Retaining hundreds of images for years.

Once, I witnessed a pigeon creatively using a plastic bottle to outsmart a spike deterrent placed under an overpass, demonstrating their intelligence.

Pigeons possess almost mystical homing abilities. They can return to their nests from distances of up to 1,300 miles, even if transported in a box where they cannot see, hear, or smell anything. Scientists are still puzzled by how they accomplish this.

Contrary to popular belief, pigeons are not dirty creatures. The truth is, they are quite clean and make use of human refuse to survive. Pigeon droppings, or "guano," were once highly valued as fertilizer, leading to the establishment of dovecotes where people would guard against theft of their droppings.

Pigeons also demonstrate remarkable social structures and relationships. They mate for life and thrive in complex family communities, providing valuable lessons for us humans.

There’s so much more to discover about pigeons. A quick Google search for "Things pigeons can do" will reveal thousands of articles elaborating on their incredible abilities.

If you still have doubts, consider revisiting this article. And if you remain unconvinced, I invite you to reflect: what extraordinary feats can YOUR species claim? Ah, right! You’ve given us war, nuclear weapons, and climate change. Fascinating!

(P.S. I am a human and appreciate my species, but I can’t support those who don’t appreciate pigeons.)

(P.P.S. I even designed a T-shirt about this! Grab one!)