what is possible for pigeons to carry?

[susanalexis]

Dear message board

This may sound like a strange request, but I am an artist researching a new piece of work. I work mainly with video and transmission (including work with webcams and streaming video on the internet) and much of the work is dealing with (british) landscape. I have been aware for some time of the role of pigeons as messengers - especially those awarded for bravery in the war. And I knwo this entailed pigeons carrying very light scrolls of paper. I am trying to find out whether it might be feasible to attach a tiny lightweight camera to a carrier (or homing) pigeon to record its journey over a particular route (or a group of pigeons). I am wondering whether anything like this may have already been done, and whether it is even possible (without of course any cruelty or distress to the birds). And if this is feasible, what kind of distances and times are possible for pigeons. As you can see my research is just beginning so any help advice or pointers would be very gratefully received?  With many thanks, Sincerely

Susan Collins

 

http://www.susan-collins.net

 

[Guest]

jim@paccomfilms.com

 

If you contact Jim Jenner the film producer U.S.A. on the above e-mail address I am sure he will give you sound advice. Tell him I told you to call him

 

[Diamond dave]

Hi Susan,

 

If you manage to find something appropriate, you are welcome to use a couple of my birds to experiment. I have a couple of older, more experienced birds that are

just past their best as racers (meaning they are still racing birds but are just off the race winning pace). They have been to France on many occasions and are consistent and reliable if nothing else. I expect you will have to consider Logistics but just to let you know that my location is in the Midlands in between Northampton and Milton Keynes.

If I can be of any assistance, please let me know if and how I could help.

 

Regards

 

David Lyden.