Archangel

The Archangel is a breed of fancy pigeon, notable for the metallic sheen of its feathers.Archangels, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia). It is kept as an ornamental or fancy breed, valued for its unusual appearance. Archangels are small, weighing about 12 oz. They have unfeathered legs and dark orange eyes. They may or may not be crested. The body of the bird is bronze or gold with wings that are either black, white, or blue.

This breed is also known as the Gimpel, which is German for European Bullfinch. The United States is the only country in which all color forms are referred to as “Archangels”, in Great Britain only the Black and Copper colored birds are called Archangels, this is because the Black and Copper color type was created in Great Britain.

The Archangel is known as Gimpeltaube in Germany, most color types were refined in Germany. This is a very old breed, the most likely place origin is Dalmatia / Illyria.Breeders maintain consistency within the breed by following the breed standard.

Standard

Element Characteristics:
- Head: Lightly curved, longish and narrow with a fairly flat frontal. The crest develops from the back of the shoulders and runs up to the apex, and here developing into a sharp conical point upon the head. The feathers from both sides of the shoulders converge together into a ridge or niche which runs up the back of the neck to form the crest.
- Eyes: Very vivid, the iris is dark orange in color and is surrounded by a very slightly developed cere which is light pink to flesh in coloration.
- Beak: Long thin and straight, the upper beak being slightly curved at the tip. The color the beak is light horn which becomes darker close to the tip.
- Neck: Fairly long and comparatively thin. The throat is well rounded out.
- Breast: Moderately wide and slightly pronounced.
- Back: Sloping down and blending well into the tail.
- Wings: Moderately long, tightly closed and lying nicely upon the tail without crossing. The tips should not extend to the end of the tail.
- Tail: Long and narrow, tightly closed, being slightly longer than the flights. The tail must not be carried too low as to touch the ground.

Indian Fantail

The Indian Fantail is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Indian Fantails, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia).

The introduction of this variety to the U.S.A. was a strange one. In 1926. A shipment of four pythons was on its way to the San Diego Zoo in California from India. The journey over seas lasted many days and to ensure the reptiles didn’t go hungry, Indian fantail pigeons, found exclusively in India until then, were given to the pythons as snake feed.

By the time the ship reached California, only two survived.

The keepers at the San Diego Zoo who had obviously never seen Indian fantail pigeons before were so taken by their distinct looks that they decided to keep, and later breed and develop them. It was from these two lucky birds that the species of Indian fantail pigeons spread beyond Indian shores and reached the farthest corners of the world.

King

The King is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility breed.Kings along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia). The breed is known for large size and suitability for squab production.

Show Kings

The breed also has a variety bred for exhibition purposes at pigeon shows. It is called the Show King to distinguish it from the purely utility variety. The Show King is dual purpose and can be used for squab raising.

History

The King is a dual purpose breed that originated in the United States. They were developed during the 1890s by crossing four older varieties. The Duchess for grace; The Homer for alertness; The Maltese for compactness and style: the Runt for body and size.

Lahore

The Lahore is a breed of fancy pigeon known for its impressive size and gentle nature. Lahores, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the Rock Pigeon.

Origin

For a very long time this bird was bred in the present area of Lahore, Pakistan. It was imported into Germany around 1880 and became popular among pigeon enthusiasts at the beginning of the 1960’s. They are usually found in the area of Iran and are some of the most colorful pigeons. These ornamental pigeons from ancient Persia were once bred for their meat, but today they are raised for their beautiful plumage and colorful patterns. Their calm and gentle natures also make them delightfully tame pets.

Appearance

The Lahore is large for a pigeon, approximately 10.5 inches tall and 11.5 long. From shoulder to shoulder, it measures 5.5 inches. Its markings are also unusual: the base color is white, with a secondary color beginning at the juncture of beak and wattle and spreading in an arc over the eyes and across the back and wings. The rump and tail are to be white, though in pigeon shows the majority of attention is paid to the quality of the head, neck, and wing markings.

The neck should be heavily feathered and should lead to a full, broad chest. Cheeks should be plump, and the beak should be “broad and stout and rather blunt at the tip.” Feet and legs are feathered so that the bird appears to be wearing thick stockings.

Lahore are bred in many different colors, including Blue-bar, Checkered, Red, Blue, Brown, and Black.

Behavior

The Lahore is generally a very gentle and shy pigeon, they are good natured and can be tamed quickly (if not tame by nature).

Oriental Frill

The Oriental Frill is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding.It is originally a Turkish pigeon breed specially bred for the Ottoman Sultans in the Manisa Palace, Turkey. Manisa is an old Ottoman city in western Turkey. It is called Hünkari: the bird of the Sultans in its homeland. The variety is divided into several variations in color and markings with Blondinettes and Satinettes being the most common.

The original form is still being preserved as the Old Fashioned Oriental Frill.