Aug 29, 2011

Pigeons of Egypt

Here in America pigeons are considered dirty birds.  They hang out on roof tops leaving their droppings everywhere.  People have been enthralled with the pigeon since it was first domesticated, shortly after our other best friend the dog. Who would have thought that they could be so beautiful?  Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used them to carry information about the Nile's flood levels?  They were worshiped as ferility goddessess in Mesopotamia.   Pigeons delivered the first Olympics results in 776 BCE. I can go on and on about what they have done in history. 


But then there are the pigeons of Egypt.  Above is the Crested Frillback Pigeon.  Its feathers are twisted and turned round.

This is a black English Longface Tumbler


Egypt, too, has pigeon houses


This is a Englilsh Longface Tumbler


This is a Jacobin Pigeon.  Some people raise these birds as a hobby while others try to do it for a living.  I am including a video which I found fascinating. 




2 comments:

  1. my husband loves pigeons he us to have a few when he was living in morocco.
    he still talks about it...
    :-) they are pretty
    Isabelle

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  2. The guy in the video loved his pigeons and would go out and spend time with them everyday. He mentioned that they helped him to feel better if he was feeling low.

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