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This article is rated as standard
BF1 Trash Cut content
The subject of this article, Camera Pigeon, has been cut from the final version of a Battlefield game.


Camera Pigeon IRL

A homing pigeon fitted with a camera during WWI

Pigeon photography, invented in 1907 by Julius Neubronner, is an aerial photography technique that used Carrier Pigeons to capture photos. Pigeons were fitted with an aluminum breast harness that allowed a time-delayed miniature camera to be attached.

Pigeon photography was extensively tested by the German military during World War I and while it showed promise, the rapid development of aviation during the war caused the military to lose interest. This was also owed to the challenge of training and handling of the birds to carry the necessary loads and the limited control over the pigeons' position, orientation and speed when the photographs were being taken.

While carrier pigeons were also used extensively during World War II, it is unknown to what extent they were used in arial photography. The Central Intelligence Agency is known to have developed battery-powered cameras for espionage pigeon photography through details remain classified.

Today some researchers, enthusiasts and artists similarly deploy crittercams with various species of animals for photography.

Battlefield 1[]

"Perfect for getting a birds-eye view of the situation."

— In-game Description

The Camera Pigeon is a cut gadget that was to be introduced in the Battlefield 1: Apocalypse expansion for the Scout kit. Initially tested in the Community Test Environment, it allowed players to fly a carrier pigeon around the map and spot enemy players. Once spotted, enemy players would be highlighted similar to the Trench Periscope. The pigeon can be shot down by enemy players.

Due to balancing issues with spotting players, it was ultimately cut from the expansion.

Gallery[]

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