The pigeon’s own fertility and fast breeding cycle had condemned it to this role.ĭuring the early part of the 20 th century, the American passenger pigeon was hunted to extinction because of its value as a food source.ĭespite massive culling efforts all over the world for decades, the pigeon population continues to thrive and grow. Pigeons went from a delicacy of the rich to a staple diet for the poor. It is known that this same stratum of society also used pigeons as one of the food sources with which to feed their household servants.īy the 16 th century these restrictions on ownership had become redundant and commercial farming of pigeons as a cheap source of food to feed the poor started. After the Norman Conquest, owning pigeons became a feudal right. Pigeon meat was a delicacy only for the likes of lords and ladies. In Britain, archaeologists have found the remains of a dovecote that is believed to date back to the 12 th century.īack in those times pigeons were the reserve of the nobility and high born persons. Pigeons have been used as religious symbols, but also as sacrifices in religious ceremonies. They are both prized and considered as pests.
Pigeons have been used by man for their decorative purposes, their utility as messenger birds and as a food source.Īlthough their relationship with man has been constant, attitudes towards them have changed back and forth through time. Yet they also have plenty of other predators too including Falcons, Sparrowhawks, Owls, Foxes, Ferrets, Snakes, Rats, Cats, Dogs and more.Įvidence of mans relationship with pigeons has been discovered as far back in history as 5,000 years and in diverse parts of the globe. Man is by far the greatest predator of pigeons.