Pigeon Post

Pigeons are among the oldest communication and intelligence tools in human history. Descended from over 300 species of the Columbidae family, these birds are particularly known for their origins in the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) and the rock pigeon (Columba livia). Although the exact beginning of their domestication remains unknown, their presence has been documented in Western Asia since 3000 BCE. In early times, pigeons were regarded as sacred symbols of peace, prosperity, and tranquility; in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, they were also raised as a valuable source of meat. Over time, they took on multifaceted roles in communication, military operations, and commercial activities, leaving deep imprints on human life.

Pigeon (AA)

Natural Characteristics and Life Cycle

Pigeons are found naturally throughout the world, except in polar regions and the coldest parts of temperate climates. These birds prefer to nest in trees, cliffs, or human-made structures and feed on fruits, grains, and seeds. During the breeding season, pigeons incubate eggs three to five times per year, typically laying two eggs at a time, with an incubation period of approximately 17 to 18 days. During incubation, males take charge during the day and females at night, jointly protecting and feeding the young. Chicks are fed in the first weeks with a milk-like secretion produced in the parents’ crop, a unique trait that distinguishes pigeons from other bird species. Hatchlings emerge naked and with closed eyes but begin to forage for their own food at three to four weeks of age. The classification of pigeons is complex, with over 800 species identified.

Historical Origins and General Use

The domestication of pigeons is one of the oldest traditions in human history. Beginning around 3000 BCE in Western Asia, this process was shaped by the pigeon’s role as a sacred bird in religious rituals. In Ancient Greece, pigeons were used to announce Olympic victors, with ribbons tied around their necks before release. The Romans regarded them as strategic tools on battlefields, interpreting their calmness or agitation as indicators of enemy presence.

During the Abbasid period in Muslim societies, postal pigeons were specially bred, with messages delivered from Istanbul to Basra within a single day. The Fatimids established specialized departments to create a systematic communication network. Pigeons facilitated communication between Istanbul and Basra, Egypt and Syria, and Maghreb cities, with towers constructed as landing stations.

In medieval Turkic-Islamic states, the use of postal pigeons, which began especially under the Umayyads and Abbasids, became widespread during Nureddin Zengi’s campaigns against the Crusaders. The Ayyubids and Mamluks strengthened their intelligence and communication networks by building towers capable of housing around 2,000 pigeons in each province. In Egypt in 1280, 2,000 postal pigeons were recorded, and sultans carried cages with them during travels for communication purposes.

Pigeon (AA)

The Role of Pigeons in Communication

The use of pigeons as communication tools began in early antiquity. Believed to have been domesticated around 6500 BCE in Iraq, pigeons were employed for this purpose for approximately 2,500 years. The Persians, Egyptians, and Romans all utilized pigeons for military communication. During the time of Saladin, pigeon post systems were developed alongside mounted courier networks and played a significant role during the Crusader siege of Acre. Sultan Kamil established a dedicated pigeon post unit in Cairo Castle, maintaining nationwide communication with 900 pigeons. However, pigeons were sometimes used in ways that altered the course of history; for instance, a forged pigeon message during Imad al-Din Zengi’s siege of Nusaybin led to the city’s surrender.

Training

The training of postal pigeons requires a systematic process based on their natural abilities. Pigeons are known for their strong homing instinct and exceptional navigational skills. Training begins with acclimating young birds to their loft at an early age. Typically at four to six weeks old, pigeons are released over short distances and encouraged to return home. During this process, they are initially released a few hundred meters away, with distances gradually increased over time; in some cases, they are trained to fly over 1,000 kilometers. Regular feeding and a secure loft environment are maintained throughout training.

Communication

Communication was achieved by using pigeons as message carriers. Messages were typically prepared in small, lightweight, waterproof capsules or tubes. These capsules were attached to the pigeons’ legs or necks. The sender would fasten the message capsule to the pigeon and release it toward its destination. On the receiving end, specialized towers or pigeon lofts were established for the birds to land. The content of the messages could include battlefield conditions, intelligence reports, or urgent orders.

Message Capsule (Sevilay Özer) 

Pigeons’ navigational ability relies on a complex system involving magnetic field detection, solar position, and visual memory.^【1】 Their strong instinct to return to their loft makes them ideal messengers. During training, pigeons are repeatedly flown along specific routes to reinforce these habits.

Return flight is based on the pigeon’s natural attachment to its loft. In training, pigeons are consistently encouraged to return home until this behavior becomes ingrained. During this process, the bird’s physical endurance and motivation are also critical factors.

Use of Postal Pigeons in the Ottoman Empire

The use of postal pigeons in the Ottoman Empire was shaped especially in the second half of the 19th century by developments in Europe. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, the French effectively used pigeons to maintain communication between besieged Paris and the outside world. This event spurred the establishment of pigeon units in European military forces and drew the attention of the Ottoman Empire to this field. During the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, efforts were initiated to establish a centralized pigeon communication system in Istanbul, but full implementation was never achieved. In the 1870s, following the Franco-Prussian War, the Ottoman Empire placed importance on training and breeding pigeons, yet the system remained limited due to technological deficiencies and organizational challenges.

Pigeons Belonging to the Palace During the Reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II (Ramazan Erhan Güllü)  

In the Ottoman Empire, the military use of pigeons was tested on a limited scale primarily for intelligence and communication purposes.^【2】 Under Sultan Abdulhamid II’s security policies, it was determined that enemy states—particularly Russia—were gathering intelligence via pigeons along Ottoman borders, prompting counterintelligence measures. During World War I, the Ottoman Army attempted to use pigeons for military communication, but a fully organized system was never established. Efforts to establish a military pigeon system continued in the early years of the Republic, but technological advances rendered these initiatives obsolete.

Pigeons in the Republic of Türkiye

After the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye, this legacy inherited from the Ottoman Empire continued only in a limited manner. In the 1920s, especially during the National Struggle, pigeons were tested for communication purposes, but a regular system was never established. In the early years of the Republic, work was conducted on using pigeons for military communication, but these efforts were abandoned as communication technologies rapidly advanced during the 19th and 20th centuries. In modern Türkiye, pigeons have shifted from military use to recreational and competitive breeding. Today, Türkiye plays an active role in international pigeon racing competitions; these birds bring prizes to their owners and continue to exist as a cultural tradition.

A Chest Used as a Pigeon Loft on the Front and Postal Pigeons (Ramazan Erhan Güllü)     

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Various Uses and Commercial Activities

Pigeons have had interesting applications beyond communication. In 982–983, pigeons were employed to transport cherries from Damascus to Egypt, with cherries tied to their wings arriving at their destination by afternoon. Merchants maintained communication between Mecca and the city of Kina using pigeons, contributing to the origin of the proverb “Is it the Kina bathhouse?” In the Ottoman Empire, commercial use of pigeons remained limited, with military and symbolic roles taking precedence.

Physical and Behavioral Characteristics

Postal pigeons are known for their superior navigational skills and swift flight. Their ability to return home regardless of release location, combined with strong memory and feeding habits, makes them easily trainable. These birds have a robust, large-bodied, and plain appearance, and throughout history have played significant roles in recreation, commerce, and military operations. Their attachment to their lofts and their strong homing instinct facilitated training processes and laid the foundation for their development as strategic tools.

Military Pigeon Loft in France (Ramazan Erhan Güllü)

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Modern Era and Racing Culture

With the advancement of communication technologies, the importance of postal pigeons in communication has declined. This is also true in Türkiye; in the modern era, pigeons are bred for racing and recreational purposes. Racing pigeons bring prizes to their owners, and this tradition continues as a cultural heritage.

Pigeons Being Prepared for Competition (AA)