If you love pigeons, you’re not alone. These beautiful fancy pigeon have been kept as pets and used in the sport of pigeon racing since the 19th century and continue to be popular today.
Pigeon breeds vary greatly and can even be divided into fancy or show breeds, which are typically bred with ornamental characteristics such as bright colours.
An upright posture, and impressive tail feathers, and utility breeds, which are bred to carry messages or survive in harsh weather conditions.
Here is the list of top 10 most beautiful fancy pigeons name and Image.
Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica)
These birds are also called Nicobar Island, Nicobar Silver-necked, Silver-throated, or Silver-throated Pigeon. They are found on many islands in South and Southeast Asia.
Due to their beautiful blue and black feathers with red eyes, these birds have been kept as pets for a long time. They can grow up to 21 inches (53 cm) and weigh about 1kg.
Jacobin Pigeon (Columba livia)
The Jacobin is one of most beautiful fancy pigeons in the world because it is prized for its rich chestnut colour, dark-brown eyes, and iridescent green sheen.
Since it originated from Asian breeders, it is sometimes mistaken for a Chinese Crested.
But unlike those birds that are bred solely for ornamentation, Jacobin pigeons are prized for their meat as well.
The American Racing Pigeon Union (ARPU) created and continues to maintain stringent standards for any pigeon that wishes to be called a Jacobin.
And only about one out of every two birds can make that claim. While more than 100 years have passed since ARPU was established, fanciers still adhere to strict breeding standards.
Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera)
A truly impressive and bizarre pigeon, native to Australia, Spinifex pigeons are medium-sized and crow-like.
One of their most distinctive features is a bulging bony ridge around their eyes which helps protect them from attacks by wedge-tailed eagles.
Their plumage is also pretty spectacular with mottled grey feathers overlying an iridescent green body.
They’re excellent fliers and seem to prefer flying at night rather than during the day.
To attract mates, male Spinifex pigeons release pheromones into air.
Which are then inhaled by females as part of a courtship ritual that involves flying together and dancing in circles above land or sea.
Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria)
Native to New Guinea, Australia and nearby islands, Victoria crowned pigeons look like they just stepped out of a mediaeval fairytale.
The male birds are known for their bright blue feathers that match their beautifully arched necks, while females sport turquoise feathers and elegant black crests.
Both sexes have fiery orange feet that fade to red at the toes. If you live near Sydney, Australia or another suitable habitat, it’s possible to see these magnificent birds in person.
Victoria crowned pigeons are legally protected and aren’t allowed to be kept as pets in any part of Australia.
They can only be viewed by tourists who are lucky enough to get a glimpse from afar or during special public exhibitions.
Bronzewing Pigeon (Phaps chalcoptera)
The Bronzewing pigeon is a breed of fancy pigeon (also known as a domesticated pigeon or pigeon fancy) that originated in Australia.
They are bred for their vibrant green and purple iridescent feathers and their ability to quickly develop racing speed. In Australia, they are considered less of a pet and more of an athlete.
And often kept for their racing abilities; worldwide, however, they have been a popular show bird for many years.
The Bronzewing is noted for its extremely docile temperament; even when provoked or under attack, it will not strike back at its attackers but will instead fly away to safety if possible.
Blue Crowned Pigeon (Goura cristata)
The Blue Crowned pigeon is an excellent example of how looks can be deceiving.
You see a bird that doesn’t look like much but you have to remember that it’s one of only two members of its genus, Goura; and it’s also one of only nine species in its family.
To boot, they were thought to be extinct until they were found in Papua New Guinea around 1990. Needless to say, these are beautiful pigeons with some interesting history as well.
Brown Frillback Pigeon (Columba livia)
The Brown Frillback is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding.
The breed was created by Dutch fancier, Jacob Beljaards, who began his work in 1916 and is still active today. Frillbacks are large pigeons, with a beak and feet that are pinkish-orange.
Their bodies are mostly white with long tail feathers that curl over their back (giving them their name). As they fly they display dark green frills along with a small black chevron on their wings.
Frillbacks were first imported to North America in 2001 and have been recognized by all major fancy pigeon organisations worldwide since 2006.
Red White Roller Pigeon
While all Roller pigeons are bred for their ability to roll over and spin, only a few breeds also fly backward.
In addition to being able to fly forward and backward, Red White Rollers also have incredibly straight flight. They’re among some of the most beautiful pigeons you’ll ever see.
When viewed from above, they tend to look like lasers cut through layers of feathers hence their other nickname: Laser Pigeon.
Voorburg Shield Cropper (Columba livia)
The Voorburg Shield Cropper is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding.
They are known for their shield shaped markings and for being one of a few breeds to not have any neck feathers.
As such, they are closely related to various other wattle breeds including Trims, Unicorns, and Pears.
The breed was recognized by the English Pigeon Fanciers Association (E.P.F.A.) since 1995.
But has only recently been accepted into American standards with their initial appearance in 2019.
English Trumpeter Pigeon
The English Trumpeter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. The Trumpeter has an upright stance, similar to that of a Capped or Dutch pigeon.
Its tail feathers are long and arched, with a large gap between them and its wings. It has five toes instead of the normal four. Its beak is red with a yellow grain.
The face is white marked with grey lines from each eye across its cheeks, and ending at its chin it also has yellow cheek patches above its eyes.
Conclusion:
Fancy pigeons are among some of the world’s most beautiful birds. Their fine features, brilliant colours and graceful beauty have not gone unnoticed by breeders.
On today’s list of top 10 most beautiful fancy pigeons, you will find a diversity of colour schemes and eye-catching plumage designs.
From Tipplers to Turbits and from Trumpeters to Rollers there is certainly something for everyone on our list.
I hope you enjoyed our article about beautiful fancy pigeons. If yes, then do share these articles with your loved ones, family, and friends.
Thank you for Reading!
Very beautiful photographs and valuable information. Thank you very much.