Carrier Pigeons of World War I

Carrier pigeons were bred in the military on both sides of World War I. For the United States, they were used in all branches of service. They were often more reliable than a telephone or telegraph and human runners. Carrier pigeons were also faster than humans. The pigeons were carried in planes, tanks and to the front lines. They were released with short messages, in order to be able to carry them. The pigeons would fly back to the coops where the messages were received. This would update commanders behind the front lines so they would know what was happening up ahead. Mobile coops were made out of converted horse carriages.

A pigeon being release from a tank during World War I