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 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 English Short-faced Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. English Short-faced Tumblers along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants of the rock dove. The English Short-faced Tumbler is one of the oldest breeds referred to in John Moore's book Columbarium: or, The pigeon-house; being an introduction to a natural history of tame pigeons, giving an account of the several species known in England, with the method of breeding them, their distempers and cures.
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 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 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 Stargard Shaker, also called Zitterhall, is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Originally developed in Pomerania. Zitterhals have curved swan-like necks that tremble or shake in a way similar to Fantail pigeons. A Zitterhals pigeon was one of the champions at the 2007 NPA Grand Nationals.
Utility pigeons are domesticated pigeons bred to be a source of meat called squab. Squabs have been used as a food in many nations for centuries. They were bred to breed and grow quickly. Because they are bred for squab production, conformation to a show standard is usually deemed unimportant.
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 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 . The breed is known for large size and suitability for squab production. White Carneau pigeons are extensively used in experiments on operant conditioning; most of the pigeons used in B. F. Skinner's original work on schedules of reinforcement were White Carneaux.
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 Dragoon is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Dragoons, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the wild rock dove. The Dragoon was one of the breeds used in the development of the Racing Homer. A very old breed of British origin, referred to by Moore (1735).
The Thuringian Colour pigeons are a group of breeds of fancy pigeons developed over many years of selective breeding. Thuringian Colour pigeons, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The breed group is known for several different colours and markings. Varieties include the Thuringian Breast, Thuringian Monk, Thuringian Shield (picture), Thuringian Whitetail and the Thuringian Spot. The breed can be either plain or shell crested, but is always clean-legged.
The Modena is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Modenas along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants of the rock dove.
The Danish Suabian is a breed of fancy pigeon, developed over many years of selective breeding. Danish Suabians, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The breed comes in silver, blue, ash yellow, ash red, black, red, yellow, and brown barred and is either plain-head or peak crested.
The Berlin Short-faced Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Berlin Short-faced Tumblers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove.
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 Stralsund Highflyer is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Stralsund Highflyers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon.
