Birds of a Feather: Genetic Classification Reveals Pigeons' Exceptional Diversity [Slide Show]
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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... Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
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... 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. Owl pigeons derive their names from their tiny, sharp beaks... Wikimedia Commons/Gyyr
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... Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
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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... Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
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... 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... Wikimedia Commons/Graham Manning
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... Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
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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... Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
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)... Wikimedia Commons/jim gifford
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... Wikimedia Commons/MPF
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