CIA Museum : Pigeon Camera
The CIA research and development office has developed a camera that is small and light enough to be carried by a pigeon. With the camera attached to his chest, the bird would be released. With the camera running, the bird flies over a target upon return. Being a common species, the pigeon has hidden its role as an information gathering platform among the activities of thousands of other birds. The easy-to-train pigeons, eager to return to their nests after a long journey, were used as spies during the Second World War. With small cameras attached to their chest, the Pigeons were perfect for reconnaissance work.
The camera could be set to begin taking photographs after release or after a pre-set delay. The camera took a series of still images at a set interval. A tiny, battery-powered motor advanced the film and cocked the shutter. Details of pigeon missions are still classified.
At a time when cameras were mostly clunky, weighty affairs, the CIA’s Office of Research and Development created one small enough and light enough to be strapped to the breast of a pigeon. Ubiquitous and nondescript, the urban birds made excellent carriers for spygear; and while the creatures probably weren’t happy with the extra bundle, they miraculously didn’t drop like a stone when taking flight. Trained to fly over any enemy target with their cameras running, they returned with photo images snapped at much closer range than planes or satellites. The cameras were programmed to take still images at intervals, while tiny, battery-powered motor advanced the film and cocked the shutter.
People do not think a pigeon is more than a rodent at the top of a building," said Pat Avery of Newalla, Oklahoma, who heads the National Pigeon Association and loves to tell stories of famous military pigeons for years."
The Tragically Hip- Pigeon Camera
Pigeon Camera references
While the song may deal with incest, the literal reference is far more fun to listen :
"...Where's our Pigeon Camera
By now he could be anywhere"
"...it’s like we burn our boots
with no contingency plan"
But as surveillance technology has improved, the need for CIA pigeons has decreased. "They are rather old-fashioned now," says CIA.
Source : CIA Museum - Experience the Collection https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-museum