Erbil's pigeons bring joy and happiness to the hearts of passersby

Variety 09:47 AM - 2021-03-17

Photo Credit: Shad Ibrahim

The pigeons of the city's park, right in the center of the Kurdistan Region's capital, Erbil, just beneath Erbil's citadel and in front of the Bazaar (Market), have given joy and happiness to visitors of the park. 

 

There are a large number of different types of pigeons in that area where they land to feed and drink water.

 

The pigeons were first brought and raised in the area by Awer Abas, one of the shop owners, and his brother to give the place a beautiful look.

 

Abas told PUKmedia: "After the renovation of the Bazaar (market), me and my brother Sirwan thought that the idea of bringing the pigeons would be nice, so at the beginning, we brought 20 different pigeon couples and provided them with food and water in the park."

 

After a while, the pigeons became familiar with the place and even bred to become more and more.

 

Abas said that at first the pigeons were afraid of the people and kept a distance but after a while, they became familiar with them. 

 

It has been 10 years since they first brought the pigeons and now they are over 1000.

 

The Abas brothers care for the pigeons and make sure that they are in good health.

 

The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is a pigeon subspecies that was derived from the rock dove (also called the rock pigeon). The rock pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics.Research suggests that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago.

 

Pigeons have made contributions of considerable importance to humanity, especially in times of war. In war the homing ability of pigeons has been put to use by making them messengers. So-called war pigeons have carried many vital messages and some have been decorated for their services. Medals such as the Croix de guerre, awarded to Cher Ami, and the Dickin Medal awarded to the pigeons G.I. Joe and Paddy, amongst 32 others, have been awarded to pigeons for their services in saving human lives.

 

Like Mourning Doves, pigeo pairs are monogamous, often breeding in consecutive seasons for as long as both birds of a pair live. Most will attempt to raise several broods each year. Sometimes as many as four or five broods will be raised in a single year.

 

 

 

PUKmedia