Pigeon Post

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Topic: Pigeon Post

General Information

Pigeon Post, Pigeon post is the use of Homing Pigeons bearing messages and sending them to a certain address. Homing pigeons were very effective messengers as this type of pigeon carries the natural ability to return to their place or territory after travelling away from it.

Early History

The Ancient Persians trained birds to deliver messages and to follow many commands like eagles do, Historians Believe this was where the art of training birds came from. The Mughals were also known to use Birds to carry and Deliver messages from place to place. Pigeon Post was used a lot in war, In World War I and also WWII Pigeons were utilised to pass on messages. It is quite coincidental that over 2000 years ago Pigeons aided the Roman military having the same abilities and use.

Pigeon Post of Great Barrier Island

The Pigeon Post of Great Barrier was established after the ship SS Wairarapa crashed into the coast of Great Barrier Island, the news took several days before it reached Auckland, the toll of the crash was 121 lives. Before the Pigeon Post was established the only way of communication between Great Barrier Island and Auckland was by a weekly coastal steamer. The pigeongram service began between Great Barrier Island and Auckland in 1897 and ended in 1908 as the first telegraph cable was put between the Island and Auckland.