National Pigeon Service - Canister Color Code

Canister Color Code

Pigeons were used by a variety of services and the canisters affixed to their legs were colour-coded to distinguish recipients.

  • Red = US Forces + British Army
  • Blue = US Forces + British RAF
  • Blue with coloured disk = British RAF
  • Blue with white patch = RAF
  • Red with coloured disk = British Special Service
  • Grey = British Special Service
  • Green = British Special Service
  • Black = British Civil Police
  • Yellow = British Commercial

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