Roller (pigeon)

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A Birmingham Roller Birmingham Roller.jpg
A Birmingham Roller

A roller pigeon is a domesticated breed or variety of pigeon that has been selected for its ability to tumble or roll in the air. [1] Varieties of roller pigeons include:

See also

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There are at least four main types of competitive pigeon sport:

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 tippler is a breed of domestic pigeon bred to participate in endurance competitions. Flying results of up to 22 hours (non-stop) have been reported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pigeon keeping</span> Animal husbandry of domestic pigeons

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pouter</span> Pigeon breed group

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham Roller</span> Breed of pigeon

The Birmingham Roller is a breed of domesticated roller pigeon that originated in Birmingham, England. They were developed via selective breeding, for their ability to do rapid backward somersaults while flying.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Komorn Tumbler</span> Breed of pigeon

The Komorn Tumbler is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. The breed has American and European varieties that are recognized as separate breeds at shows with classes catering for American Komorner Tumblers and European Komorner Tumblers. Originally bred for acrobatic flying as a tumbler pigeon, Komorners are seldom free-flown today, and exist only for exhibition in pigeon shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Performing Tumbler</span> Breed of pigeon

The Australian Performing Tumbler (APT) is a breed of fancy pigeon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oriental Roller</span> Breed of pigeon

The Oriental Roller is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Oriental Rollers, along with all other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are descended from the rock pigeon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumbler pigeons</span> Group of pigeon breeds

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trumpeter (pigeon)</span> Breed of 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:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacobin pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parlor Roller</span> Breed of pigeon

The Parlor Roller is a breed of domesticated pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Parlor Rollers, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. The breed is known for its unique performance of turning somersaults on the ground. Parlor Rollers are considered to be further development from the Parlor Tumbler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying/Sporting pigeons</span> Group of pigeon breeds

Flying/Sporting is the name of one of three main groupings of breeds of domesticated pigeons used by pigeon fanciers in the United States. The other two are Fancy and Utility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The King pigeon is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility breed. Kings along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock dove.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmet pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

The Helmet is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Helmets, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon. The breed has medium face, short face, plain-head and crested varieties. Helmet pigeons have been referenced since the early 15th century and appear to have origins in Germany. The modern varieties were refined in the latter 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant Runt</span> Breed of pigeon

The Giant Runt is a breed of pigeon developed by selective breeding primarily as a utility and exhibition breed. American Giant Runts, along with other varieties of the domestic pigeon, are all descendants from the rock pigeon . The breed is known for its large size and suitability for squab production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dragoon pigeon</span> Breed of pigeon

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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thuringian Colour pigeons</span> Group of pigeon breeds

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.

References

  1. Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN   0-85390-013-2.