Interesting Book Review About Pigeons In NYT . . . .

[GranderTheGander]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/...he-diamond-smugglers-matthew-gavin-frank.html

Above is a link to a very interesting book review in the New York Times about pigeons and diamond smuggling in South Africa. It also tells how intelligent they are and how useful pigeons have been to mankind:

"Relied on for food, fertilizer and, of course, delivering messages in both wartime and peacetime, no other animal aside from the dog has been as useful to humans, and few have been as thoroughly studied. We still don’t know exactly how pigeons find their homes even when released hundreds of miles away, but we do know they are among the smartest of animals, capable, for example, of distinguishing all 26 letters of the alphabet and passing the “mirror test” by recognizing their own reflections — something very few animals can do. And their stamina is legendary; they have been known to fly up to 800 miles in a single day at speeds of over 60 miles per hour."

 

[333113]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/...he-diamond-smugglers-matthew-gavin-frank.html

Above is a link to a very interesting book review in the New York Times about pigeons and diamond smuggling in South Africa. It also tells how intelligent they are and how useful pigeons have been to mankind:

"Relied on for food, fertilizer and, of course, delivering messages in both wartime and peacetime, no other animal aside from the dog has been as useful to humans, and few have been as thoroughly studied. We still don’t know exactly how pigeons find their homes even when released hundreds of miles away, but we do know they are among the smartest of animals, capable, for example, of distinguishing all 26 letters of the alphabet and passing the “mirror test” by recognizing their own reflections — something very few animals can do. And their stamina is legendary; they have been known to fly up to 800 miles in a single day at speeds of over 60 miles per hour."

Thank you for sharing.

I disagree with the author's observation that pigeons are among the few animals who pass the mirror test. When I groom my chickens for showing, I always put them in front of a mirror. When they realize they can keep an eye on what I am doing to them like that, they settle right down.

 

[backyard pigeons]

I disagree with the author's observation that pigeons are among the few animals who pass the mirror test. When I groom my chickens for showing, I always put them in front of a mirror. When they realize they can keep an eye on what I am doing to them like that, they settle right down.

I don't quite get your point. The author wasn't saying they are the only animals that can, they are saying they are among the few that can. I'm sure chickens are included in the mirror studies. Don't worry.

 

[backyard pigeons]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/...he-diamond-smugglers-matthew-gavin-frank.html

Above is a link to a very interesting book review in the New York Times about pigeons and diamond smuggling in South Africa. It also tells how intelligent they are and how useful pigeons have been to mankind:

"Relied on for food, fertilizer and, of course, delivering messages in both wartime and peacetime, no other animal aside from the dog has been as useful to humans, and few have been as thoroughly studied. We still don’t know exactly how pigeons find their homes even when released hundreds of miles away, but we do know they are among the smartest of animals, capable, for example, of distinguishing all 26 letters of the alphabet and passing the “mirror test” by recognizing their own reflections — something very few animals can do. And their stamina is legendary; they have been known to fly up to 800 miles in a single day at speeds of over 60 miles per hour."

That's a fascinating article. They truly are remarkable creatures. They are the best birds. There's nothing quite like the feeling of releasing your homing pigeon flock only to find that they have beaten you home.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[333113]

I don't quite get your point. The author wasn't saying they are the only animals that can, they are saying they are among the few that can. I'm sure chickens are included in the mirror studies. Don't worry.

Here is my point: I am guessing that most birds can recognize themselves in the mirror. That's more than a few.

Also, I am guessing that most non-bird animals can pass the mirror test. All animals drink water, and water is a pretty good mirror. If a predator face showed up behind their reflection, I think they would react.

 

[backyard pigeons]

Here is my point: I am guessing that most birds can recognize themselves in the mirror. That's more than a few.

Perhaps. But either way, its remarkable that homing pigeon can fly home from 800 miles in a day. There's even one recorded case of a pigeon flying 1,400 miles home. There also many more that are halfway around the world, but there wasn't enough evidence to prove or disprove them.

Also, I am guessing that most non-bird animals can pass the mirror test. All animals drink water, and water is a pretty good mirror. If a predator face showed up behind their reflection, I think they would react.

I guess. But do they even know what the reflection is? Maybe they think they are looking directly at a predator, even though its a reflection.

But, I'm not here to argue about silly animals and mirrors, but just to ooh and aww over pigeons!

 

[GranderTheGander]

Thank you for sharing.

I disagree with the author's observation that pigeons are among the few animals who pass the mirror test. When I groom my chickens for showing, I always put them in front of a mirror. When they realize they can keep an eye on what I am doing to them like that, they settle right down.

Looking at articles online, it appears the mirror test is controversial. Pigeons are on some list as passing, but not on others. The only other bird listed that I saw was the magpie.

 

[GranderTheGander]

Perhaps. But either way, its remarkable that homing pigeon can fly home from 800 miles in a day. There's even one recorded case of a pigeon flying 1,400 miles home. There also many more that are halfway around the world, but there wasn't enough evidence to prove or disprove them.

I guess. But do they even know what the reflection is? Maybe they think they are looking directly at a predator, even though its a reflection.

But, I'm not here to argue about silly animals and mirrors, but just to ooh and aww over pigeons!

The most amazing thing I ever read about pigeons said a pigeon in the midwestern US could hear waves crashing against the shores on both the east and west coasts! Not being scientifically inclined, I can't imagine how researchers could possibly know that.