Fifth-grade science lesson hones in on homing pigeons
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Homing pigeons have been prized for their navigational abilities for thousands of years. They've served as messengers during war, as a means of long-distance communication, and as prized athletes in international races.
Now, at least one homing pigeon has gained notoriety as the subject of a fifth-grade science class lesson at Juniata Elementary School in Mifflintown.
Recently, fifth-grade teacher Hunter Hart was trying to make an educational connection across subjects, so he brought in one of the homing pigeons that he raises at his home in Huntingdon County.
Hart's class was studying vertebrates, and they were talking about birds and how they can be utilized by people, which led to the connection with homing pigeons.
Students learned how pigeons were used extensively in World War I to carry important messages. One particular male pigeon, named Cher Ami -- which is French for "dear friend" -- was known for his military service, especially the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October 1918.
According to popular legend, Cher Ami delivered a message alerting American forces to the location of the Lost Battalion, despite sustaining severe injuries as he was shot in the breast, lost his right leg and was blinded in his left eye.
"I've always had an off and on fascination with how they go back home," Hart explained of pigeons' popularity. "In social studies, we talked about World War I, and how fascinating it was they saved all those soldiers."
The homing pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon, selectively bred for its ability to find its way home over extremely long distances. Because of this skill, homing pigeons were used to carry messages, a practice referred to as "pigeon post." Until the introduction of telephones, they were used commercially to deliver communication; when used during wars, they were called "war pigeons."
On one particular day, Hart brought one of his pigeons to school, so students released it on the soccer field during recess. When Hart returned home that night, the pigeon was already in its hut after navigating the 26-mile flight home from Mifflintown to Huntingdon County.
"When I got home, it was the coop," Hart said of the unnamed pigeon, which was waiting to be fed.
He messaged parents immediately, so his students would learn the pigeon made it home safely.
"The kids are awesome; they wanted to know," Hart said.
The teacher and his students can routinely be found birdwatching, especially during migration season.
"I'm obsessed with birds," Hart quipped.
The school set up bird feeders, which his fifth-grade students can watch birds feed live on camera.
"We've talked about the different kinds of pigeons," said Hart, who also raises chickens and other animals. "I only had four (pigeons), so I know it was still there."
There are hawks that prowl the area that consider pigeons their prey. "I've had one (pigeon) disappear now and then."
Some pigeons are trained to race, but that doesn't interest Hart.
"I'm not into big-time racing or anything like that," Hart added. "I decided when I was going to do vertebrates, I would bring in a pigeon and throw it up in the air."
And it made it home, just like it was trained to do.