What kinds of fancy pigeons are there? A list of common breeds

Fancy pigeons are pigeons that have been kept specifically for people to admire throughout the ages. Their history is very long, dating back as early as the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period. Through thousands of years of variation and selection, there are now as many as 600 or more kinds worldwide. Today, fancy pigeons have once again become a highly sought-after plaything for literati and scholars. Below, let us take a look at the classification of fancy pigeon types!

Feather-type fancy pigeons

Feather-type fancy pigeons are kept for people to admire for their gorgeous plumage, feather colors, and peculiar body shapes. Examples include the Fantail, the Jacobin, the Pouter, the Muffed pigeon, the Cropper, Wushan Snow, Twelve Jade Railings, Kunxing, Crane Beauty, Jade Belt Surround, and Equal Spring Scenery.

Body-type fancy pigeons

Body-type fancy pigeons please people by the special appearance of a certain body part. For example, the Big-nose pigeon looks as if a multi-petaled jasmine flower is stuck on its nose. The Palm-toe pigeon has connected webbing between its toes, so it can both fly and swim.

Performance-type fancy pigeons

Performance-type fancy pigeons are fascinating for their various strange tricks. For example, the Tumbler pigeon, also called the "somersault pigeon," includes high tumblers, waist tumblers, eaves tumblers, ground tumblers, and flat tumblers that roll from left to right. There is also the Little Green Cat, which, during its performance, shoots straight up into the sky and circles in flight. Spectators hold water in a bronze basin and watch its vigorous figure from the water as it continuously spins in circles, never overstepping by half a step.

Cooing-type fancy pigeons

Cooing-type fancy pigeons are kept for people to listen to their various interesting cooing sounds. Some are as deep as a great bell, some as fine as whispered words. Though they are not as melodious as the thrush or the lark, they still have a unique charm. In Russia and Germany there is a kind of Trumpeter pigeon whose calls are better than those of a bugler. In Arabia and Egypt there is also a kind of Laughing pigeon, whose calls during courtship sound almost like loud laughter. There is another kind whose ornamental value people do not appreciate for itself; instead, they attach a pigeon whistle to it, and from the air comes a clear, resonant sound, sometimes loud and sometimes soft, now near and now far, now low and now high, as if it were wondrous music from heaven, making people feel relaxed and happy.

Decorative fancy pigeons

Decorative fancy pigeons are mainly used to embellish scenery and add a peaceful atmosphere for tourists to enjoy. Examples include square pigeons, street pigeons, and temple pigeons.