Fancy pigeon

Fancy pigeon refers to any breed of domestic pigeon, which is a domesticated form of the wild rock dove (Columba livia). They are bred by pigeon fanciers for various traits relating to size, shape, color, and behavior,[1] and often exhibited at pigeon shows, fairs and other livestock exhibits.[2]

There are about 800 pigeon breeds; considering all regional varieties all over the world there may be 1100 breeds.[3] The European list of fancy pigeons alone names about 500 breeds.[4] No other domestic animal has branched out into such a variety of forms and colours.[5]

Charles Darwin is known to have crossbred fancy pigeons, particularly the ice pigeon, to study variation within species,[6] this work coming three years before his groundbreaking publication, On the Origin of Species.

  1. ^ Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, South Carolina: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0-85390-013-2.
  2. ^ Blechman, Andrew (2007). Pigeons-The fascinating saga of the world's most revered and reviled bird. St Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press. ISBN 978-0-7022-3641-9.
  3. ^ Schütte, Joachim (1971). "EINLEITUNG". Handbuch der Taubenrassen (in German). Melsungen, Berlin, Basel, Wien: Neumann-Neudamm. ISBN 9783788800116. OCLC 74047160.
  4. ^ "EE-list of fancy pigeons (ELFP)" (PDF). Entente Européenne d’Aviculture et de Cuniculture. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-04-15.
  5. ^ Lyell, James C. (1881). Fancy Pigeons. London: Barnes & Noble. OCLC 8005808.
  6. ^ Ross, John. "Darwin's Pigeons".