Meet Cher Ami, a one of a kind Pigeon, Taxidermied to museum quality standards. She is named in remembrance of the homing pigeon who helped save 194 men in France during World War I.

The story goes - On October 3, 1918, Major Charles White Whittlesey and more than 500 men were trapped in a small depression on the side of the hill behind enemy lines without food or ammunition.

They were also beginning to receive friendly fire from allied troops who did not know their location. Surrounded by the Germans, many were killed and wounded in the first day and by the second day, just over 194 men were still alive. Whittlesey dispatched messages by pigeon.

The pigeon carrying the first message, "Many wounded. We cannot evacuate." was shot down. A second bird was sent with the message, "Men are suffering. Can support be sent?" That pigeon also was shot down. Only one homing pigeon was left - Cher Ami. She was dispatched with a note in a canister on her left leg, "We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven's sake stop it."

As Cher Ami tried to fly back home, the Germans saw her rising out of the brush and opened fire. For several moments, Cher Ami flew with bullets zipping through the air all around her. She was eventually shot down but managed to take flight again.

She arrived back at her loft at division headquarters 25 miles away in just 25 minutes, helping to save the lives of the 194 survivors. Cher Ami had delivered the message despite having been shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, covered in blood and with a leg hanging only by a tendon.

Cher Ami was sourced from a pet store in Orange County, Ca where she died of natural causes. Please care for Cher Ami by dusting her once a month and keeping her away from direct sunlight.

Species:
1 Pigeon

Dimensions:
10" x 13" x 9"

Shipping:
Cher Ami ships by USPS Priority, 1-2 days.