How far back have pigeons been known?
Pigeons have lived with humans for thousands of years and the first images of pigeons found by archaeologists in Mesopotamia (today: Iraq) date back to 3000 BC. It was the Sumerians of Mesopotamia (ancient inhabitants of southern Mesopotamia) who first began breeding white doves from the wild dove we see in our cities today, and this is thought to be the background to the incredible range of colors available. in the average herd of city pigeons. Back in time, a white dove would have seemed miraculous, and this explains why the bird was widely worshiped and considered sacred. Throughout human history, the dove has assumed many roles ranging from symbols of gods and goddesses to messengers, pets, and even war heroes!

Biblical references
The first biblical reference to the dove was in the Old Testament of the Bible in the first millennium BC. and was the story of Noah (Noah) and the dove of peace. Later, in the New Testament, the dove was first mentioned during the baptism of Christ, in which the dove descended as the Holy Spirit, an image now prevalent in Christian art. The dove was seen as a symbol of truth and innocence. These early biblical references have paved the way for the many different ways in which the dove is seen in modern societies around the world. The perception of the dove over the centuries has changed from God to the devil and from completely to unwanted. 

Pigeon manure - a treasured commodity
Although pigeon droppings are seen as a major problem for property owners in the 21st century, they were considered an invaluable resource in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. Dove excrement was a highly valued fertilizer and was considered to be far more potent than livestock manure. So appreciated in fact that armed guards were stationed at the entrances to pigeon slaughter to stop thieves from stealing the highly prized manure.
In England in the 16th century, pigeon manure was the only known source of nitrates, an essential ingredient in gunpowder, and was therefore considered a highly valued commodity. In Iran, where it was forbidden to eat pigeon meat, pigeon houses were set up, where pigeon excrement was used as a fertilizer source for melon crops, and in France and Italy it was used to fertilize vineyards and hemp crops.

Rock pigeon, the meaning of the word
The wild pigeon that we see in our cities today comes from a rock bird, Columba Livia, which has historically been found in coastal regions. The word 'dove' actually comes from the Latin word 'pipio' which meant 'young bird'. The word was then translated into Old French as 'pijon', from which the English name 'pigeon' was derived and is now used worldwide as a common name for rock pigeon. Other common names include 'house dove' and 'wild pigeon'. In 2004, British and American ornithologists officially renamed the bird the Rock Pigeon.

When pigeons breed
Pigeons form pairs for life and can put young in the world up to 8 times a year under optimal conditions, which, however, are rarely present. Pigeon cubs are often seen in the autumn and winter period, as the temperature has generally risen. They lay two eggs at a time, but often only one surviving pigeon cub comes on the wings. The survival of the young depends on the amount of food the parent birds can provide and many small young starve to death. The eggs take 18/19 days to hatch and both the male and female incubate alternately on the eggs. Both parents feed the young with a special 'pigeon milk' (which the parent birds themselves produce) for the first time. The cubs are born blind, but get eyes after approx. 4 days. When the kids are hungry, they make a special sound and flap their wings. At about 2 months of age, the chicks are ready to leave the nest, but it is a hard time they are facing. In the beginning, they try to stick to the parent birds and continue to beg for food from them. The longer they are allowed to stay in the nest or with their parents, the greater their chance of survival.

Among the most intelligent animals
Pigeons are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds on earth, being able to perform tasks that were previously considered to be performed only by humans and primates. The pigeon has also been shown to pass the 'mirror test' (being able to recognize its own reflection in a mirror) and is one of only 6 species and the only non-mammal that has this ability. The pigeon can also recognize all 26 letters of the English alphabet as well as be able to conceptualize. In scientific tests, pigeons have been shown to be able to distinguish between photographs and even distinguish between two different people in a photograph when rewarded with food for doing so.

But what can animals use the term "intelligent" for? The important thing for any animal is to be able to cope in a harsh life and use its instincts to navigate it. That humans test animals based on their own perception of what is meant by being "intelligent" is quite irrelevant to the animal.

The dove as a symbol
The pigeon with an olive branch in its mouth is a familiar image. There are i.a. depicted in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (see photo). The symbol originally comes from the story of Noah's Ark: The first bird Noah (Noah) sent out to search for land was a raven: "it flew back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth." (Genesis 8: 7) The following week he sent out a dove, which returned without finding water. The following week, the sent pigeon came home with an oil leaf in its beak, and seven days later he sent out a pigeon that found land and did not return. The flood was soon over.

The dove as a symbol of peace and love
The dove is a universal symbol of peace and the dove with radiance and halo is a common symbol of the Holy Spirit. On the tombstone, the dove has been frequently used as a symbol of the eternal peace of the dead. Traditionally, the dove has also been the symbol of love, the nickname of the beloved, the lovable turtle dove. It is often seen depicted with the ancient goddess of love Aphrodite. Two doves beaked are symbols of love.
Some choose to pay to have a flock of white doves shut out at weddings. A white dove is, as a rule, an ordinary city pigeon, which is bred to have the white color. Such a dove, people are for some reason not hostile. Unfortunately, few think that the pigeons have had to be transported over perhaps a long distance and that they have a very long flight home. Because they have had to be used as entertainment and symbol.