Fancy pigeon refers to any breed of domestic pigeon, which is a domesticated form of the wild rock dove. They are bred by pigeon fanciers for various traits relating to size, shape, color, and behavior, and often exhibited at pigeon shows, fairs and other livestock exhibits.
The domestic pigeon or city dove is a pigeon subspecies that was derived from the rock dove. The rock pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics. Research suggests that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago.
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 morphology and the behaviour of the domesticated descendants of the rock dove to suit their needs for food, aesthetic satisfaction and entertainment.
William Bernhardt Tegetmeier FZS was an English naturalist, a founding member of the Savage Club, a popular writer and journalist of domestic science. A correspondent and friend of Charles Darwin, Tegetmeier studied pigeon breeds and the optimality of hexagonal honeycomb cells constructed by honeybees. He wrote a number of books dealing with home economics, poultry farming, pigeon breeds, bee-keeping and on the maintenance of livestock.
The Pouter pigeons are domesticated varieties of the rock dove, Columba livia, characterized by a very large, inflatable crop. They are kept as ornamental or fancy breeds, valued for their unusual appearance. There are many varieties of pouter with little in common except for the nature of the crop. The origin of the breed group is unknown, but Pouters have been bred in Europe for at least 400 years.
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. They have a long slender body, with a long neck in proportion to the rest of the body, and distinctive features including a rounded hard wattle.
The Norwich Cropper is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. The Norwich Cropper along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock pigeon. The Norwich Cropper is thought to have been developed from a breed called the Oploper and is of Dutch origin.
The Pigmy Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Pigmy Pouters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon.
The Voorburg Shield Cropper is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Voorburg Shield Croppers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove. This breed was developed by C.S.T. Van Gink at Voorburg in the Netherlands in 1935.
The Old German Cropper is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Old German Croppers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon.
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.
The Holle 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 pigeon. This breed was developed in Holland.
The Ghent Cropper is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Ghent Croppers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon.
The Granadino Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Granadino Pouters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove.
The Sebright is a British breed of bantam chicken. It is a true bantam – a miniature bird with no corresponding large version – and is one of the oldest recorded British bantam breeds. It is named after Sir John Saunders Sebright, who created it as an ornamental breed by selective breeding in the early nineteenth century.
The Ice pigeon is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Ice pigeons, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon.
The Nun is a breed of fancy pigeon developed through many years of selective breeding. It was known as the Dutch Shell Pigeon in continental Europe. Nuns, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The Nun is one of the oldest breeds and was originally a flying tumbler before being developed for exhibition. It is a mostly white breed, with a hood of feathers, which gives the name to the breed.
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 . The breed is one of the most popular blower breeds.
The Barb is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Barbs, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . This breed was referred to by Shakespeare. It was also referred to with an illustration in Charles Darwin's Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication. It has been marked as cruel by many organisations due to the size of its beak which means it has trouble feeding its young and surviving.
The Reverse-wing Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Reverse-wing Pouters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The breed is known for its eye-catching markings.
