Pigeons are birds, living in many regions of the world and in a variety of natural conditions, except perhaps in the frigid polar regions. In the pigeon family, it is customary to distinguish dozens of types and more than 300 varieties. Pigeon breeding is still a popular hobby, and these birds are kept for the sale of delicious meat, participation in prestigious exhibitions, and for sporting competitions. Ornamental pigeons are probably the most numerous group, and although they have little utilitarian function, they are bred mainly for their great aesthetic value.
A brief history of pigeon breeding
Even in ancient times, pigeons were treated as sacrificial birds or as food for humans. The Romans before our era began to select them for specific characteristics, and thus created breeding groups. However, the main focus was on the utility of pigeons, not just their beauty. In those days, homing pigeons were developed, which for many centuries were used for long-distance communication between people.
Ornamental pigeons date back to the modern era, when individuals of different types began to be crossbred in such a way as to highlight their best appearance traits. Nowadays, these are the ones that dominate exhibitions. Many breeds have been created with diverse characteristics - from size, to coloration, to type of plumage. The beauty of these birds captivates, and their character and domestication possibilities cause many breeders to become attached to them and even give them names.
Ornamental pigeons in breeding - some basic information about their characteristics
The very name of the group: ornamental pigeons, suggests the fact that they are distinguished by originality of appearance. This can be a bright color and unusual plumage pattern, external features or unexpected shape and structure of the beak or the whole body.
The pigeons of Australia and South Asia are particularly diverse in terms of species and breeds. However, these birds are exclusively adapted to warm and even hot climates and are not suitable for keeping in the colder climatic conditions of the northern hemisphere. There are several ornamental breeds that have a high capacity for survival and reproduction. There is quite a variety among them, and breeders choose those that work well in the individual conditions of a particular breeding.
Unlike their wild relatives, many ornamental pigeons are ideally suited for indoor housing because of their reduced need to fly. Some breeds have virtually forgotten what it's like to fly high. Although there are also high-flying birds, also classified as ornamental pigeons. However, they need different breeding conditions.
Is it the color that makes ornamental pigeons so attractive?
The color of ornamental pigeons can be most unexpected and varied: from light green to bright red and brown. Within each breed, many color variations can be found. Therefore, the shade of color rarely serves as an identifying marker for a particular breed of pigeon, rather, physical differences are relied upon.
Here it is worth mentioning that their size can also vary greatly. There are individuals as small as larks, but also those with the size of a sizable chicken. Ornamental pigeons are usually shy, so caring for them should be very gentle and careful.
The best Polish breeds of ornamental pigeons
The names of ornamental pigeon breeds were often derived from the names of the regions where this or that variety was bred. Sometimes the name reflected the relationship between the external characteristics of the pigeon, its individual character traits and even some similarities to other animals, not just birds.
More than a dozen breeds of ornamental pigeons are registered in Poland, and the following three deserve mention:
- Polish Lynx. It is a pigeon of the molded group, and the origins of its breeding date back to the 17th century. It weighs more than half a kilogram, has a characteristic curved body and red eyes, as well as short, widely-spaced legs. The colors of these pigeons vary, and you can find red, yellow and blue varieties.
- Bialystok Crimson. This is a modern breed, which was established as early as the 20th century in northeastern Poland. It is distinguished by a specific cap, has a short beak and a proudly forward breast. At first they were flight pigeons - homing pigeons, and that's how they still classify themselves today. However, due to their beauty, white plumage with colorful spots on the head and tail, they are also considered highly decorative.
- Poznan colored pigeon. The pigeons of this breed originate from the oldest pigeon farms, which were established in the 16th century in Greater Poland. They are small birds with a wide and short neck, an emphasized forehead and a short beak. They have many aesthetic qualities, including an ornate crown of feathers on their heads, which are white on the back and unusually colored on the front.
Ornamental pigeons, despite their minimal utility value, are still very popular and sought after by bird watchers. Each year, several new breeds are bred around the world to meet the needs of more breeders.
