Fancy pigeon refers to any breed of domestic pigeon, which is a domesticated form of the wild rock dove (''Columba livia''). They are bred by

pigeon fanciers Pigeon keeping or pigeon fancying is the art and science of breeding domestic pigeons. People have practiced pigeon keeping for at least 5,000 years and in almost every part of the world. In that time, humans have substantially altered the morph ...

for various traits relating to size, shape, color, and behavior, and often exhibited at pigeon shows, fairs and other livestock exhibits. There are about 800 pigeon breeds; considering all regional varieties all over the world there may be 1100 breeds. The European list of fancy pigeons alone names about 500 breeds. No other domestic animal has branched out into such a variety of forms and colours. Charles Darwin is known to have crossbred fancy pigeons, particularly the

Ice Pigeon The Ice pigeon ( Polish: ''Lazurek''; German: ''Eistaube'') is a breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from ...

, to study variation within species, this work coming three years before his groundbreaking publication, '' On the Origin of Species''.

Pigeon showing

Pigeon fanciers from many different countries exhibit their birds at local, inter-state or national shows and compete against one another for prizes. One typical country show in Australia in 2008 had hundreds of pigeons on display and prizes for the winners. In England, the Philoperisteron Society conducted annual shows in the mid 1800s. There were also a London Columbarian Society. The extensive variations in the breeds attracted the attention of Charles Darwin and played a major role in developing ideas on evolution. Some fanciers organize exhibitions exclusively for pigeons; one held in

Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

run by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association is annually attended by about 25,000 people and generates around £80,000 profit, which is donated to charity. The largest pigeon show is held in Nuremberg: the German National Pigeon Show, which had over 33,500 pigeons at the 2006 show.. In the United States, there are hundreds of local, state and national pigeon clubs that sponsor shows. The largest shows are the National Young Bird Show, held in Louisville, Kentucky in October, and the National Pigeon Association's Grand National, held in a different city each year and usually in January.

Major breed families

This grouping system is adapted from ''Australian Fancy Pigeons National Book of Standards''.Seymour, Rev. Colin (Ed)(2006) ''Australian Fancy Pigeons National Book of Standards''. Consideration was given to the new UK standards book which followed the German and European grouping. This version differs slightly from that of th
European grouping
the following system is arbitrary and used solely for organizing breed articles until a grouping can be accepted worldwide.

Asian feather and voice pigeons

This group includes breeds developed for extensive feathering that originated in the

Asian region Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...

, as well as breeds cultivated for their trumpeting, or laughing, voice. * Fantail * Frillback *

Jacobin , logo = JacobinVignette03.jpg , logo_size = 180px , logo_caption = Seal of the Jacobin Club (1792–1794) , motto = "Live free or die"(french: Vivre libre ou mourir) , successor = Pa ...

* Lahore * Trumpeter * English Trumpeter

Colour pigeons

Most of these pigeons originate in Germany, and are sometimes listed as German Toys. There are many different varieties, with a wide selection of colours and markings. *

Archangel pigeon The Archangel is a breed of fancy pigeon, notable for the metallic sheen of its feathers. Archangels, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon (''Columba livia''). It is kept as an ornamental ...

* Danish Suabian * Saxon Field Pigeon * Starling * Swallow * Thuringen Field Pigeon *

Frills and Owls

The word "frill" here relates to the reversed feathering on the chest of these varieties. This group is also noted for having short beaks. * Aachen Lacquer Shield Owl * African Owl *

Chinese Owl The Chinese Owl is a breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In litera ...

Italian Owl The Italian Owl is one of the many breeds of fancy pigeons developed over years, often decades, of selective breeding. Like other breeds of fancy pigeons, Italian Owls are descendants of the domesticated rock pigeon (''Columba livia''). Italian ...

* Old German Owl *

Oriental Frill The Oriental Frill is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. It is originally a Turkish pigeon breed specially bred for the Ottoman Sultans in the Manisa Palace, Turkey. Manisa is an old Ottoman city in weste ...

Turbit The Turbit is a breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, ...

Homer and Hen Pigeons

Homing pigeons

This group includes breeds originally developed for their homing ability, and includes show-type racing pigeons. * American Show Racer *

Dragoon Dragoons were originally a class of mounted infantry, who used horses for mobility, but dismounted to fight on foot. From the early 17th century onward, dragoons were increasingly also employed as conventional cavalry and trained for combat w ...

English Carrier The Carrier or English Carrier is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Carriers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove (''Columba livia''). They have a long s ...

German Beauty Homer The German Beauty Homer is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding, from German racing pigeons. German Beauty Homers along with other varieties of domesticated pigeon The domestic pigeon (''Columba livia d ...

Homing pigeon The homing pigeon, also called the mail pigeon or messenger pigeon, is a variety of domestic pigeons (''Columba livia domestica'') derived from the wild rock dove, selective breeding, selectively bred for its ability to find its way home over e ...

Pouters and Croppers

This group includes breeds developed for the ability to inflate their crops. * English Pouter *

Brunner Pouter The Brunner Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Brunner Pouters along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock pigeon (''Columba livia''). The breed is one of th ...

Gaditano Pouter The Gaditano Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Gaditano Pouters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove (''Columba livia''). See also *List of p ...

Holle Cropper The Holle Cropper ( also known as the Amsterdam Balloon Cropper) is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Holle Croppers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock pig ...

* Horseman Pouter * Norwich Cropper * Pigmy Pouter * Pouter *

Voorburg shield cropper The Voorburg Shield Cropper is a breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species ...

* Old German Croppers *Magpi pouter

Exhibition Tumblers

This group originally consisted of flying/tumbler breeds, but has now been refined to include only purely ornamental/exhibition breeds. *

Budapest Short-faced Tumbler Budapest Short-faced Tumblers are a breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same spe ...

English Long-faced Tumbler The English Long-faced TumblerEE-List of the ...

English Short-faced Tumbler The English Short-faced TumblerEE-List of the ...

* Helmet *

English Magpie The English Magpie is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. They can also be very easily spotted in England and in most parts of America. Magpies, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all des ...

* Nun

Flying Tumblers and Highfliers

This group is dual purpose in that its members can be shown, but also retain acrobatic or sporting ability and can therefore be used in flying competitions. Flying tumbler varieties belong in this group. Although many varieties in this grouping have become primarily show varieties, they are still expected to display characteristics of performing birds. *

Armenian Tumbler The Armenian Tumbler is a breed of tumblers Tumbler may refer to: * Tumbler (glass), a type of glassware * Tumbler (pigeon), a pigeon breed * Tumbler (Project Xanadu), a unique identifier of a unit of text or an embedded link * Tumbler (s ...

Australian Performing Tumbler The Australian Performing Tumbler (APT) is a breed of fancy pigeon. Origin :This breed of pigeon was developed through selective breeding in Australia from originally imported Tumbler Tumbler may refer to: * Tumbler (glass), a type of glassw ...

Danzig Highflyer The Danzig Highflyer is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Danzig Highflyers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon (''Columba livia''). There are two m ...

Donek The Donek is a Turkish breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In lit ...

Roller Roller may refer to: Birds *Roller, a bird of the family Coraciidae * Roller (pigeon), a domesticated breed or variety of pigeon Devices * Roller (agricultural tool), a non-powered tool for flattening ground * Road roller, a vehicle for compa ...

* Tippler

Utility pigeons

This group includes breeds originally developed as sources of

meat Meat is animal flesh that is eaten as food. Humans have hunted, farmed, and scavenged animals for meat since prehistoric times. The establishment of settlements in the Neolithic Revolution allowed the domestication of animals such as chic ...

. *

Carneau The Carneau is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility pigeon. Carneau, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon (''Columba livia''). The breed ...

* French Mondain * King pigeon * American Giant Runt *

Strasser pigeon The Strasser is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Strassers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon (''Columba livia''). Apart from exhibition at pigeon ...

References

External links

National Pigeon Association - USA

Purebred Pigeon Magazine

National Young Bird Show - USA

Fancy Pigeon Portraits

Egypt Swifts - Pigeon News
{Dead link, date=December 2019 , bot=InternetArchiveBot , fix-attempted=yes Aviculture Columba (genus) Domesticated animals Domestic pigeons