The rock pigeon is the feral variety found on the sidewalks and plazas of Europe, North Africa and Asia. These pigeons are wild, but often contain genes from escaped domesticated pigeons....[More]
The Rock Pigeon
The rock pigeon is the feral variety found on the sidewalks and plazas of Europe, North Africa and Asia. These pigeons are wild, but often contain genes from escaped domesticated pigeons. And although they may look like the birds that inhabit New World cities, the two populations are genetically distinct. Because pigeons are not native to the Western Hemisphere, feral pigeons in the U.S. are mixed breeds descended from imported pets and show birds.
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Wikimedia Commons/MPF
Modena
The Modena was a Roman racing bird developed almost 2,000 years ago; it may have carried messages during Mark Antony's siege of the Italian city of Modena in 43 B.C....[More]
Modena
The Modena was a Roman racing bird developed almost 2,000 years ago; it may have carried messages during Mark Antony's siege of the Italian city of Modena in 43 B.C. Surprisingly, Shapiro found that this curvy bird is closely related to a free-living population of rock pigeons (previous image). The Modena's racing heritage may hold the key to this close relationship: some breeders report that up to 20 percent of racing pigeons escape during competition and never return home. Escaped Modena ancestors may have found mates and contributed genetically to wild populations, Shapiro says.
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
Jacobin
"The head is in there somewhere," Shapiro muses. Genetic results place the Jacobin in the "maned pigeon" breed group, which largely consists of birds with unusual feather ornaments surrounding their heads....[More]
Jacobin
"The head is in there somewhere," Shapiro muses. Genetic results place the Jacobin in the "maned pigeon" breed group, which largely consists of birds with unusual feather ornaments surrounding their heads. Named after an order of monks known for its hooded robes, the bird's own hood may have arisen from a genetic mutation at least 400 years ago.
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
Old Dutch Capuchine
According to the British Old Dutch Capuchine Society, this breed—also named after a sect of monks—dates back to the 14th century and was almost lost during the two world wars....[More]
Old Dutch Capuchine
According to the British Old Dutch Capuchine Society, this breed—also named after a sect of monks—dates back to the 14th century and was almost lost during the two world wars. It was brought back by a fancier named Henk Moezelaar, who carefully arranged matings between two male and two female Capuchines, and even outcrossed it with a breed called "the nun." Now the Old Dutch Capuchine is well established.
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
English Trumpeter
"This is a well-marked breed, with a peculiar voice, wholly unlike that of any other pigeon," Charles Darwin wrote in 1868. "The coo is rapidly repeated, and is continued for several minutes." Instead of grouping this breed with the other vociferous "voice pigeons," Shapiro discovered that the English trumpeter is actually most closely related to toy breeds—that is, breeds selected for their ornamental colors and feathers....[More]
English Trumpeter
"This is a well-marked breed, with a peculiar voice, wholly unlike that of any other pigeon," Charles Darwin wrote in 1868. "The coo is rapidly repeated, and is continued for several minutes." Instead of grouping this breed with the other vociferous "voice pigeons," Shapiro discovered that the English trumpeter is actually most closely related to toy breeds—that is, breeds selected for their ornamental colors and feathers. Like other toy pigeons, the trumpeter has elaborate feathered feet.
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Wikimedia Commons/Graham Manning
Frillback
The frillback also groups genetically with the toy pigeons. Its curled feathers are caused by an autosomal dominant mutation; when crossed with other breeds, a purebred frillback produces slightly frilled offspring....[More]
Frillback
The frillback also groups genetically with the toy pigeons. Its curled feathers are caused by an autosomal dominant mutation; when crossed with other breeds, a purebred frillback produces slightly frilled offspring.
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
Pouters and Croppers
Pouters and croppers are characterized by an exaggerated crop—the muscular pouch near the throat that helps the bird to store and digest food....[More]
Pouters and Croppers
Pouters and croppers are characterized by an exaggerated crop—the muscular pouch near the throat that helps the bird to store and digest food. They have been bred in Europe for hundreds of years. A book called The Complete Pigeon Fancier (circa 1790) described the ideal pouter as rather ungainly: "The crop of the pouter ought to be filled with wind, so as to show its full extent, with ease and freedom; for it is a very great fault, when a bird overcharges his crop with wind, and strains himself so much, that he sometimes falls backwards, because he is not able to give a quick vent to the confined air, which makes him disquiet and heavy, and many a fine bird has, by this ill habit, either fallen into the street, down a chimney, or become an easy prey to the cats."
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
Fantails
Unlike most pigeons, which have 12 to 14 tail feathers, fantail pigeons have up to 40. According to historical accounts and Shapiro's genetic evidence, the fantail arose in India....[More]
Fantails
Unlike most pigeons, which have 12 to 14 tail feathers, fantail pigeons have up to 40. According to historical accounts and Shapiro's genetic evidence, the fantail arose in India. Fantails were once called shakers due to the trembling motion they make when they throw their heads back and display their tail feathers. According to an article in Feathered World magazine from the early 1900s, "Owing to their excessive motion, fantails are difficult to breed."
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
Owl Pigeons
The Owl breed group contains some of the smallest pigeons—some weigh as little as 170 grams, compared with the rock pigeon's average 364 grams....[More]
Owl Pigeons
The Owl breed group contains some of the smallest pigeons—some weigh as little as 170 grams, compared with the rock pigeon's average 364 grams. Owl pigeons derive their names from their tiny, sharp beaks. Shapiro's genetic analysis confirmed historical accounts that trace the origins of owl pigeons to the Middle and Near East at least a few hundred years ago.
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Wikimedia Commons/Gyyr
Wattles and Homers
Wattles are characterized by large skin thickenings around the beak and eyes, and they are typically larger than the ancestral wild pigeon. Some breeds, like the English carrier (pictured), also have enlarged beaks....[More]
Wattles and Homers
Wattles are characterized by large skin thickenings around the beak and eyes, and they are typically larger than the ancestral wild pigeon. Some breeds, like the English carrier (pictured), also have enlarged beaks. The carrier was originally used to send messages, but modern versions of the bird rarely fly due to the exaggerated skin folds surrounding the beak, which may impede eyesight. Pigeon breeders prize the skin folds and take great pains to cultivate a large, healthy-looking wattle on show birds. Carriers and several other breeds were used to develop the modern racing homer pigeon and its relatives about 200 years ago.
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
Tumblers and Rollers
"This is one of the most diverse breed groups," Shapiro says. "It's hard to make sweeping generalizations about how they look." The birds in this group are descended from birds that perform backward somersaults while flying....[More]
Tumblers and Rollers
"This is one of the most diverse breed groups," Shapiro says. "It's hard to make sweeping generalizations about how they look." The birds in this group are descended from birds that perform backward somersaults while flying. According to the Complete Pigeon Fancier,"These pigeons by their flight afford great satisfaction to the gentlemen of the fancy in general, for besides the pleasure they give by their tumbling, they will frequently rise to such an amazing height in the air as to be almost imperceptible to the keenest eye." Most modern tumblers and rollers have lost the ability to live up to their namesake, as pigeon breeders have outcrossed them with more ornamental breeds.
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Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
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Maybe someone can explain to me how pigeons roost contentedly on steel bridges in the middle of winter. I live in city of Edmonton, Alberta. We can occassionaly have temps for weeks at a stretch highs minus 25, lows -40 C. Oh yah, can be windy too. Furthermore, in well used spots the pigeons are sitting in their own frozen excrement. Altogether fairly good conditions for heat loss.
They dont appear to have much if any tufting on their legs.
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Add CommentMaybe someone can explain to me how pigeons roost contentedly on steel bridges in the middle of winter. I live in city of Edmonton, Alberta. We can occassionaly have temps for weeks at a stretch highs minus 25, lows -40 C. Oh yah, can be windy too. Furthermore, in well used spots the pigeons are sitting in their own frozen excrement. Altogether fairly good conditions for heat loss.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThey dont appear to have much if any tufting on their legs.
How come there are no pictures of wild pigeons such at the mourning dove, wood pigeons, etc.?
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