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Pigeon Builds A Nest After Stealing Poppies From An Unknown Soldier’s Grave
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Pigeon Builds A Nest After Stealing Poppies From An Unknown Soldier’s Grave

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Since early October, the staff of the Australian War Memorial located in Canberra has noticed a strange incident. For a while, the poppies from an unknown soldier’s grave have been disappearing one by one. It took them some time to figure out the culprit which turned out to be a pigeon. The bird has been picking the flowers from the tomb to build a stunning, colorful nest by a stained glass window at the war memorial. The beautiful nest lead-up to Remembrance Day commemorations that are held on November 11th.

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    Recently the staff of the Australian War Memorial noticed a pigeon who made a nest out of poppies stolen from the tomb of an unknown soldier

    Image credits: The Australian War Memorial

    Image credits: The Australian War Memorial

    Image credits: The Australian War Memorial

    The war memorial told Sydney Morning Herald that the stained glass window which was accidentally chosen by the bird commemorates the wounded soldier, which symbolizes the quality of “endurance”, and the nest of poppies nearby was a “reminder of the powerful bond between man and beast on the battlefield”.

    Image credits: Travis

    These days, pigeons may be considered to be very unpleasant birds, but throughout history, they have been useful allies during battle.

    Image credits: denisbin

    “Particularly in the early wars, communication is really difficult. Wireless is in its absolute infancy in the First World War and telephone wires get broken apart in the shellfire on the Western Front. So pigeons are particularly of use in warfare when you’ve got a couple of men trying to get a message from where they are back to the backline; a pigeon can get that through sometimes when nothing else can, ” historian Dr. Meleah Hampton said.

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    Image credits: Mike

    During World War II, 32 pigeons received The PDSA Dickin Medal which is awarded to any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

    Image credits: Edward Dalmulder

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    One of the most memorable instances of a pigeon on duty, the one named ‘White Vision’ who received the medal for “delivering a message under exceptionally difficult conditions and so contributing to the rescue of an aircrew while serving with the RAF in October 1943”.

    Here’s how people reacted

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    Andželika

    Andželika

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    Andželika

    Andželika

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    Night Owl
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the most beautiful pigeon nest I ever saw (even though it appears to be on anti bird spikes). I hope no one destroys it and the people leave the pigeon in peace

    Danael Gabalova
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That pigeon has good taste. She has a palace with a stained glass window and a red bedroom. And she doesn't have to look at the bird of prey in next window.

    Daria B
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The tomb of an unknown soldier". Wow, so much sadness in this phrase alone. (Not trying to criticize here, just an observation.)

    Sunzilla
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that is what the name is supposed to do. To let us remember all the forgotten men (and pigeons) who gave their lives so we may live free and in peace. The World Wars always make me sad when I think about it.

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    Night Owl
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the most beautiful pigeon nest I ever saw (even though it appears to be on anti bird spikes). I hope no one destroys it and the people leave the pigeon in peace

    Danael Gabalova
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That pigeon has good taste. She has a palace with a stained glass window and a red bedroom. And she doesn't have to look at the bird of prey in next window.

    Daria B
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "The tomb of an unknown soldier". Wow, so much sadness in this phrase alone. (Not trying to criticize here, just an observation.)

    Sunzilla
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that is what the name is supposed to do. To let us remember all the forgotten men (and pigeons) who gave their lives so we may live free and in peace. The World Wars always make me sad when I think about it.

    Load More Replies...
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