Homing pigeon (homing pigeon)

Japanese: 伝書バト(伝書鳩) - でんしょばと（英語表記）homing pigeon

This refers to the rock pigeon Columba livia , a member of the family Columbidae, which has been domesticated for communication purposes due to its excellent sense of direction, homing ability, long-distance flying ability, and ease of care. It was also called the war pigeon because it was used extensively for military purposes until just after World War II. However, with the development of communication technology such as radio, it gradually lost its practical significance. It was used until the end by newspapers to transport photographic film, but since the 1950s it has mainly been kept for racing by enthusiasts, and is often called the racing pigeon.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

鳥綱ハト目ハト科のカワラバトColumba liviaが，方向感覚，帰巣性に優れ，長距離飛行の能力が高く，また飼養が容易なことに着目して，通信に利用するため家禽（かきん）化したものをいう。第2次世界大戦直後までは軍用に多用されたので軍用鳩とも呼ばれた。しかし無線などの通信技術の発達により，しだいに実用上の意義を失った。新聞社による写真フィルム運搬には最後まで利用されたが，1950年代以降はおもに愛好者の競技用に飼われ，レース鳩racing pigeonということが多い。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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