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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.

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

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

Image credits: The Australian War Memorial

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

Image credits: The Australian War Memorial

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

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”.

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

Image credits: Travis

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Andželika

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

What do you think ?

Night Owl 5 years ago (edited)

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

30points

Danael Gabalova 5 years ago

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.

15points

Daria B 5 years ago

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

14points

Sunzilla 5 years ago

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.

17points

Load More Replies...

Ani Archeron 5 years ago (edited)

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sits in the heart of the Australian War Memorial. He is one of us and all of us. We do not know his name, his rank, his age, his ethnicity. If he had a family, friends. If he was from the country or city. The Tomb is a reminder to everyone of the impact of War. Being in that room is ethereal. (the pigeon here collected the poppies from the memorial wall, i'm guessing)

4points

Grace Barclay 5 years ago

Who is peeling onions ?

3points

Dorothy Parker 5 years ago

It is sad. Now, of course, there is DNA testing, but then there was no inkling of an idea they could learn who the dead were.

1point

KT Trondsen 5 years ago

So much plastic.... Why not use a real flower?

4points

Magpie 5 years ago

It is sad that the pigeon has no - or extremely limited- access to natural bedding. [waits for the down votes.]___________I kind of hated visiting this place , the whole thing is just too damn sad. And yes we need to remember and avoid war! The unknown soldier represents those who were " missing in action presumed dead " because the war zones were a huge mess, and many soldiers' bodies where un-findable, or un recognizable. 11th November = Remembrance Day is sometimes called Poppy Day in the Commonwealth countries. Recognizing the end of world war 1.

4points

Load More Replies...

Elaine Dodge 5 years ago

From the tomb of the unknown soldier to the window of the wounded soldier for a birthing chamber for new life of one of the creatures that were used to try and keep soldiers alive during the war by carrying messages - so much poetry in all that, makes me weep! I sincerely hope they NEVER get rid of the nest and do all they can to help this little pigeon!

3points

Mer 5 years ago

Oddly beautiful, poetic

2points

Birma Gustafsson 5 years ago

I think it's poetic. From death comes new life. Life is stronger than death. Above all it's beautiful! The peaceful dove nesting among the red flowers of death remembered.

2points

nala simba 5 years ago

That, to me, is a compliment! Turning something so sad, into a happy, heartwarming story. That pigeon got it just right!

2points

D r e a m l a n d s 5 years ago

Makes you think about reincarnation...

2points

Amr Mohamed 5 years ago

I would be pretty happy if birds made their nests out of flowers left by my grave. =)

2points

Ani Archeron 5 years ago

I've placed poppies on that wall for my relatives, and I love seeing them reused to promote new life, just as they are used to remember the dead

2points

glowworm2 5 years ago

I don't think the pigeon's choice material to build her nest or the location she chose to have it were accidental at all. There is definitely something beautiful and symbolic about it all.

2points

Martha Meyer 5 years ago

Notice the nasty spikes designed to keep pigeons off those ledges. I'd have preferred to sleep on those flowers too in the pigeon's stead.

1point

sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago

I believe the unknown soldier, looks down and adores the pigeon, and he doesn't mind his flowers being used for the nest, he may admire the pigeons, for their contribution !!!

1point

natasha P. 5 years ago

Smart bird!!!

1point

natasha P. 5 years ago

The most beautiful nest ever!

1point

Flame Phoenix 5 years ago

Darn onion chopping ninjas!

1point

Julia Daxenbichler 5 years ago

This looks very staged to me...

-3points

Night Owl 5 years ago (edited)

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

30points

Danael Gabalova 5 years ago

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.

15points

Daria B 5 years ago

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

14points

Sunzilla 5 years ago

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.

17points

Load More Replies...

Ani Archeron 5 years ago (edited)

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sits in the heart of the Australian War Memorial. He is one of us and all of us. We do not know his name, his rank, his age, his ethnicity. If he had a family, friends. If he was from the country or city. The Tomb is a reminder to everyone of the impact of War. Being in that room is ethereal. (the pigeon here collected the poppies from the memorial wall, i'm guessing)

4points

Grace Barclay 5 years ago

Who is peeling onions ?

3points

Dorothy Parker 5 years ago

It is sad. Now, of course, there is DNA testing, but then there was no inkling of an idea they could learn who the dead were.

1point

KT Trondsen 5 years ago

So much plastic.... Why not use a real flower?

4points

Magpie 5 years ago

It is sad that the pigeon has no - or extremely limited- access to natural bedding. [waits for the down votes.]___________I kind of hated visiting this place , the whole thing is just too damn sad. And yes we need to remember and avoid war! The unknown soldier represents those who were " missing in action presumed dead " because the war zones were a huge mess, and many soldiers' bodies where un-findable, or un recognizable. 11th November = Remembrance Day is sometimes called Poppy Day in the Commonwealth countries. Recognizing the end of world war 1.

4points

Load More Replies...

Elaine Dodge 5 years ago

From the tomb of the unknown soldier to the window of the wounded soldier for a birthing chamber for new life of one of the creatures that were used to try and keep soldiers alive during the war by carrying messages - so much poetry in all that, makes me weep! I sincerely hope they NEVER get rid of the nest and do all they can to help this little pigeon!

3points

Mer 5 years ago

Oddly beautiful, poetic

2points

Birma Gustafsson 5 years ago

I think it's poetic. From death comes new life. Life is stronger than death. Above all it's beautiful! The peaceful dove nesting among the red flowers of death remembered.

2points

nala simba 5 years ago

That, to me, is a compliment! Turning something so sad, into a happy, heartwarming story. That pigeon got it just right!

2points

D r e a m l a n d s 5 years ago

Makes you think about reincarnation...

2points

Amr Mohamed 5 years ago

I would be pretty happy if birds made their nests out of flowers left by my grave. =)

2points

Ani Archeron 5 years ago

I've placed poppies on that wall for my relatives, and I love seeing them reused to promote new life, just as they are used to remember the dead

2points

glowworm2 5 years ago

I don't think the pigeon's choice material to build her nest or the location she chose to have it were accidental at all. There is definitely something beautiful and symbolic about it all.

2points

Martha Meyer 5 years ago

Notice the nasty spikes designed to keep pigeons off those ledges. I'd have preferred to sleep on those flowers too in the pigeon's stead.

1point

sharron lynn parsons 5 years ago

I believe the unknown soldier, looks down and adores the pigeon, and he doesn't mind his flowers being used for the nest, he may admire the pigeons, for their contribution !!!

1point

natasha P. 5 years ago

Smart bird!!!

1point

natasha P. 5 years ago

The most beautiful nest ever!

1point

Flame Phoenix 5 years ago

Darn onion chopping ninjas!

1point

Julia Daxenbichler 5 years ago

This looks very staged to me...

-3points

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