Interesting Facts about Pigeons and Why They Are Used as a Symbol of Peace

Pigeons are one type of bird that is familiar to humans. Apart from being kept as pets, pigeons can also be used as ornamental or racing livestock. Not only that, did you know that doves are also known as a symbol of peace, you know!
Come on, let's look at the reasons why doves are a symbol of peace. But first, here are 7 facts about pigeons that detikers need to know, quoted from the Pet Keen page:

Pigeons are easy to care for

When you want to keep or adopt a bird, there is no need to consider or think too much about whether it is a pigeon. Why? This is because doves are extraordinary animals. Pigeons have a kind, gentle and easy-to-care-for character.

Additionally, doves are a social species and will do well in pairs or groups. So if detikers choose to keep a pigeon, detikers must bond with it because pigeons must be close to other living creatures.

Pigeons are Used to Send Messages

The term "pigeon post" refers to the use of pigeons to carry messages. Not only that, the Pos Indonesia symbol also uses a dove as its symbol. Why so? this is because doves have a natural ability to find their way home.

However, there is no definitive answer as to how naturally gifted pigeons know where they are going and how they find their way home.

Pigeons Drink Different Ways

Pigeons are one of the few birds that drink by sucking up water and letting it drip down their throats. Not only that, pigeons can also drink water throughout the day in 20 seconds.

Pigeons Have a Unique Sleeping Position

Pigeons are different from most other types of birds in that most of their head and shoulder feathers are tucked away. Meanwhile, doves sleep at night with their heads resting between their shoulders, close to their bodies.

Pigeon Wings Make Loud Sounds

When rapping or landing, doves will flap their wings quickly. The air passing through their feathers is what causes them to vibrate and sound like a kazoo

A journal entitled Flights of fear: a mechanical wing whistle sounds the alarm in a flocking bird by Mae Hingee and Robert D Magrath compares the sound of a pigeon's wings when taking off during a routine flight with the presence of a nearby predator at the time of takeoff. This research shows that doves make loud, faster sounds with their wings when taking off to alert other birds that there is prey to watch for nearby.

Pigeons Fly Very Fast

Pigeons have long tails and wings, especially this type of mourning dove can fly so fast up to 55 miles per hour, you know!

Pigeons are used as many symbols

Doves have become many symbols, including peace, love and freedom. For example, doves are released at weddings because they symbolize peace and loyalty. In addition, doves have a monogamous nature which represents the couple's commitment to each other.

Pigeons as a Symbol of Peace
Reporting from The History Press page, doves have been a symbol of peace for thousands of years. In ancient Greek mythology, the dove was a symbol of love and renewal of life. Apart from that, in Japan the dove is also a symbol of ending war.


Even in 1949, Pablo Picasso made the dove a modern symbol of peace when it was chosen as the symbol of the World Peace Congress. Reporting from Psych News Daily, pigeons are gentle creatures that do not attack other animals. So it is not surprising that the dove is used as a symbol of peace.