Fancy pigeons exist in hundreds of types and each type is unique and beautiful in its own way. In this article, I am going to share the most special fancy pigeon breeds you would have ever seen.
Jacobin
Jacobin pigeons have a gorgeous hood that completely covers their face from both sides. They got the name “Jacobin” from the hoods that french Jacobin monks wore. They are one of the most popular pigeon breeds around the world and are commonly displayed in pigeon exhibitions. In fact, they also played an essential role in the development of American fantasy pigeons by crossbreeding with fantail pigeons.
Frillback
Frillbacks have unique feathers, the ends of feathers on their wings, tails, and foot feathers are curled, which makes them unique. They are probably the most beautiful fancy pigeon breed. Being a fancy pigeon breed with ancient history, a lot of work has been done on this breed, and today, it exists in many colors. Pigeon fanciers also developed a new breed frillback pouter using frillbacks and pouters.
King
King pigeons have a ball-like structure and they look like fat chickens. This breed was developed in the USA in the early 1890s. Years of selective cross-breeding between Giant Runt, Maltese, Mondain, and Homer pigeons produced this breed. Their aggressive look, big head, and wide back come from giant runts, and the compactness between their chest to tail comes from Maltese pigeons.
English Trumpeter
The English Trumpeter breed was developed in England through selective breeding between bokhara trumpeter, Hungarian giant house, and other pigeon breeds. The exact date of origin is unknown but some source claim that the breed was first seen in England by the year 1475.
Some sources claim that the modern English trumpeter should be named American trumpeter. According to them, modern English trumpeters are slightly different from the earliest English trumpeters. When this breed was brought to England, at a point, the pigeon breeders stopped working on this breed. Later when this breed was exported to the USA, it was further beautified. [1]
English Fantail
English fantails are a refined form of garden fantails which is believed to be one of the oldest known pigeon breeds in the World. The recorded history of garden fantails starts from the 12th century and that of English fantails starts from the 20th century. Like most fancy pigeon breeds, the English fantails were developed through selective breeding between garden fantails and other breeds.
The modern English fantails can have 30-40 tail feathers and their tail looks like a flat umbrella from the back. Among all the fantail pigeon types, the English fantails have the highest number of tail feathers.
Satinette
Satinette pigeon is classified under the oriental frills category of fancy pigeons. This breed has existed for centuries and its recorded history starts from the Ottoman era. It is believed to have originated in Turkiye. The Turkish sultans adored this breed and this is why satinettes were also referred to as “Hunkari” which means, the bird of sultan. The breed was limited to Turkish sultans until it was brought to the UK for the first time in 1864. [2] Later, when brought to America, in 1986, satinette pigeons helped produce seraphim pigeons. [3]
Saxon Fairy Swallow
Saxon fairy swallow also known as spot swallow originated in the Saxony state of Germany. There is not much information available on when this breed was developed but it has surely existed for a few centuries. Saxon fairy swallow was first brought to the USA in 1868 and some breeders worked on this breed, they produced new color patterns. However, the breed was not given as much attention as other breeds. [2] Today, saxon fairy swallow exists in a large variety of colors. It is considered one of the most beautiful fancy pigeon breeds all over the World.
Felégyhaza Tumbler
Felégyhaza tumbler also known as kiskunfélegyházi keringő was developed around 1870 in Hungary. It was developed by cross-breeding hungarian magpie tumbler, topolyai (a local hungarian breed), and other breeds. Felegyhaza was actually developed for tumbling during flight and it is a good tumbler. But keeping in view its beauty, it is now considered an exhibition breed.
Chinese Owl
Chinese owl also known as whiskered owl pigeon is believed to be a Spanish breed. Even though its name says “Chinese”, most resources state that it actually originated in Spain. It is believed that Chinese owl pigeons were developed through cross-breeding with the Spanish chorrera pigeon.
According to a source, the breed first got attention in 1865 when King Prosche of Germany bought this breed and started working on its further development.
Reverse-wing Pouter
Reversewing Pouter also known as magpie pouter is actually a saxon pouter that has a magpie-like color pattern. In fact, it has the same stance, muffs, and overall behavior. Reverse wing pouter was developed in the early 19th century and its recorded history starts from 1837 when it was first mentioned in the book Everything In Pigeon Brooding by G. Neumeister. [3] However, the earliest reverse wing pouters did not have a nice stance and rich colors. The breed is also referred to by old names like saxon magpie cropper, kalotten, helmet cropper & gansel cropper.
Final Thoughts
There are many other breeds that are as cool as the breeds that I have mentioned above. But these are the top breeds that are adored all over the World. Tell me in the comments, which of these breeds looks the coolest?
Bilal is a freelance writer and a content creator. He has been in the pigeon hobby for over 15 years. His deep interest in pigeon keeping enabled him to explore the development of various pigeon breeds and share them with the community.
