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 Fantail is a popular breed of fancy pigeon. It is characterised by a fan-shaped tail composed of 30 to 40 feathers, abnormally more than most members of the dove and pigeon family, which usually have 12 to 14 tail feathers. The breed is thought to have originated in Pakistan, India, China, Japan or Spain. There are several subvarieties, such as the English Fantail, the Indian Fantail, and the Thai Fantail. Charles Darwin used it as one of the examples in the first chapter of his book On the Origin of Species. He believed it was a descendant of the rock dove.
The Bokhara Trumpeter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Bokhara Trumpeters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The breed is known for its long muffed (feathered) feet and double crest.
The Dresden Trumpeter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding.
The English Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. English Pouters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. A breed with an enlarged crop, their distinctiveness was described by Charles Darwin in The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication (1868).
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 Schmalkalden Moorhead is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Schmalkalden Moorheads, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . It was developed at Schmalkalden, Thuringian town in Germany.
The Indian Fantail is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Indian Fantails, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants of the rock dove.
The Arabian Trumpeter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Arabian Trumpeters, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. There are several breeds of trumpeter pigeons which are known for their vocal cooing which sounds similar to laughter or trumpeting. The breeds with this ability are collectively known as "voice" pigeons.
The Kyiv Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon.
The Trumpeter breeds of fancy pigeon are so named because of their unique vocalizations which sound vaguely like low laughter. Wendell Levi describes this trumpeting vocalization in his book The Pigeon. There are several domesticated varieties that possess this "trumpeting" ability to various degrees. Some of the more popular are:
The South German Monk is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. South German Monks, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. The South German Monk is always peak crested and clean legged or shell crested with medium length muffs blending with the hock feathers.
The Jacobin is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding that originated in Asia. Jacobins, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock pigeon. It is in the Asian feather and voice pigeon show group. The breed is known for its feathered hood over its head.
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 English Long-faced Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. English Long-faced Tumblers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove.
The Altenburger Trumpeter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Altenburger Trumpeters along with other breeds of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock pigeon. There are several breeds of trumpeter pigeons which are known for their vocal cooing which sounds similar to laughter or trumpeting. The breeds with this ability are collectively known as "voice" pigeons.
The Australian Saddleback Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Australian Saddleback Tumblers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock pigeon . As the name suggests, this breed is an Australian creation and was first recognized as a breed in 1917.
The Frillback is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Frillbacks, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. The breed is known for the frill or curls on the wing shield feathers. The feather curl should also be present at the ends of the foot feathers or muffs.
The Saxon Colour pigeons are a group of Saxon breeds of fancy pigeons developed over many years of selective breeding. Saxon Colour pigeons, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . Saxon Colour pigeons are a combination of various varieties which are basically the same type differing only in colour and markings. Some varieties include: Saxon Breast pigeon, Saxon Monk (pictured), Saxon Priest, Saxon Reversewing, Saxon Shield, Saxon Spot and Saxon Whitetail. Saxon Colour pigeons have similar colour varieties to the Thuringian Colour pigeons but the Saxons are all Muff (feathered) legged.
