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[1] 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.
People who breed pigeons are commonly referred to as pigeon fanciers.[2] The hobby is gaining in popularity in the United States, after having waned within the last 50 years.[3] Both the hobby and commercial aspects of keeping pigeons are thriving in other parts of the world.
- ^ Gilbert, M. Thomas P.; Shapiro, Michael D. (2014), "Pigeons: Domestication", in Smith, Claire (ed.), Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, New York, NY: Springer, pp. 5944–5948, doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_2214, ISBN 978-1-4419-0465-2, retrieved 2021-12-11
- ^ Wendell (1977) 1
- ^ Allmendinger, Lisa (1 June 2008). "Pigeons gain in popularity as pets". The Ann Arbor News. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2008-06-02.