Military Pigeon History & Research
Pigeons of War explores the history of homing pigeons in military service, from antiquity to the modern era.
Recent Articles
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The Martyrs of Nomain: A Tale of Pigeons and Spycraft During the Great War
For all practical purposes, the Great War began when Germany invaded Belgium on August 4th, 1914. Despite the valiant efforts of the Belgian Army, it was an unfair fight and the small country was quickly overrun. For the duration of…
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The Kingdom of Serbia’s Pigeon Stations: 1908 – 1918 A.D.
The Balkan Peninsula was a hotbed of activity during the latter-half of the 19th century. The Ottoman Empire had ruled the region for centuries, but a rise in ethnic nationalism challenged the status quo. Following a series of wars and…
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Pigeons in the Third Crusade: The Siege of Acre, 1189 – 1191 A.D.
On May 11, 1189 A.D., Frederick I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, sailed from Regensburg with an army of over ten thousand. Traveling to the Levant, they would soon be joined by Philip II of France and Richard I…
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The Military Heritage of Venice’s Pigeons
Venice is famous for its pigeons. They’re everywhere, and tourists expect to see them. A special haven for Venice’s pigeons is Piazza San Marco, the city’s principal public square. Before the 20th century, San Marco’s pigeons were highly regarded, even…