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 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 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 Fantail is a highly developed breed of fancy pigeon. The Fantail, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove. The Fantail is said to have originated in India, but there are early references to it in Spain and China.
The African Owl is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. They originated in Tunisia (Africa), and were imported into England during the 19th century. The breed is known for its short beak, which gives the breed the "Owl" name due to the size and shape.
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.
Budapest Short-faced Tumblers are a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. The breed was created in Budapest, Hungary. Budapest Short-faced Tumblers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove.
The Australian Performing Tumbler (APT) is a breed of fancy pigeon.
The Chinese Owl is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Chinese Owls, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. The breed is known for its small size and profuse frilled feathers. Many specimens of this breed have a 'chin-crest' around the frontal region of its neck - it does not extend around to the back of the head. The feathers are more 'ruffled'and appear 'wind-swept' rather that 'curled' as in the frill varieties. The breed comes in many colors : black, brown, blue/ blue-grey, barred, ice, satinette blondinette, white, pied and white-black (combinations).
Tumbler pigeons are varieties of domesticated pigeons that are descendants of the rock dove that have been selected for their ability to tumble or roll over backwards in flight.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
The West of England Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. West of England Tumblers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove . The breed was developed in England in Bristol and the surrounding West Country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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.
