You may already be aware of some of the amazing capabilities of pigeons, but there are many more incredible facts that you likely have never heard of before. Below are 4 summarized points on some of the unbelievable things pigeons can do:

• Pigeons have multiple and exceptional intelligences and skills

What is psychology telling us about these amazing birds today? Pigeons have multiple intelligences. These include verbal, kinesthetic, visual, and high memory skills. Did you know that this bird has the exceptional ability of knowing all 26 letters of the English alphabet? Moreover, they have the kinesthetic ability to learn complex actions and sequences and sometimes use them as a response. Numerous scientific experiments conducted in various universities and laboratories worldwide have led to the conclusion that pigeons are able to compare and distinguish between different photographs. The birds are also particularly good with colors, pictures and patterns. It has been found that their memory of images can last up to several years. Pigeons were found to even recognize themselves on the mirror. Indeed, considering these impressive feats of animal behavior, it is obvious that pigeons are intelligent in nature.

• Pigeon’s Abilities Compared to Humans

Comparative psychology tells us that a pigeon’s brain and functions are comparable to that of human toddlers. When it comes to eyesight and visual abilities however, pigeons far surpass any human. Pigeons can see ultraviolet, which human cannot. They are also faster and better conservers of water. Due to having these incredible abilities, some pigeons are now being trained by special helicopter units of the coast guard to pinpoint the location of people who are drowning or lost in the middle of the sea.

• Pigeons are Life-saving Heroes

Pigeons have been used to save the lives of soldiers and other military personnel who have been lost at sea during World Wars I and II. In fact, numerous pigeons have been awarded in the past and continue to be awarded today for saving lives, delivering messages and using their navigational skills to help people.

• Exceptional Navigation Skills

The navigational skills of pigeons are indeed exceptional and are even able to trace back their routes. This is one critical reason for pigeons being used to deliver messages, guide and rescue people. One of the very first mentions of pigeons being used by humans is from the Old Testament in the Bible. In the story of Noah and the Ark, pigeons or doves were used to determine whether the flood has already subsided. When a pigeon returned with a fresh olive leaf, Noah and his family knew it was time to leave the ark. Also, the earliest large scale communications network was established during the 5th century BCE in Syria and Persia using pigeons.