Pigeon History

Domestic Pigeon

The Domestic Pigeon was derived from the Rock Pigeon. The Rock Pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Research suggests that domestication of pigeons was as early as ten thousand years ago. People who keep domestic pigeons are generally called Pigeon Fancier.

Pigeons have made contributions of considerable importance to humanity, especially in times of war. In war the homing ability of pigeons has been put to use by making them messengers. So-called war pigeon have carried many vital messages and some have been decorated for their.

There is three basic Groups of pigeon

·         Racing homer / Homing Pigeon: includes –red cheekier, blue cheekier, greezel etc.

·         Tippler / highflyer Pigeon: includes –green necked, black necked, saff chilla, jira gola etc.

·         Fancy Pigeon: includes –pouter, king, cropper, streesser, beauty etc.

 

Homing pigeons

            Trained domestic pigeons are able to return to the home loft if released at a location that they have never visited before and that may be up to 1000km away. A special breed, called homing pigeon has been developed through selective breeding to carry messages and members of this variety of pigeon are still being used in the sport of Pigeon racing.

 The ability a pigeon has to return home from a strange location necessitates two sorts of information. The first, called "map sense" is their geographic location. The second, "compass sense" is the bearing they need to fly from their new location in order to reach their home. Both of these senses, however, respond to a number of different cues in different situations. The most popular conception of how pigeons are able to do this is that they are able to sense the Earth’s magnetic field with tiny magnetic tissues in their head. Pigeons have compass sense, which uses the position of the sun, along with an internal clock, to work out direction.

Other potential cues used include:

 

·         The use of a sun compass

·         Nocturnal navigate by stars

·         Visual landmark map

·         Navigation by infrasound map

·         Polarised light compass

·         Olfactory stimuli

 

Tippler Pigeon

            The domestic pigeon breeds are believed to have been developed in the Middle East. As to the origin of the Tippler we are at a loss for accurate data. According to one theory, the Tippler is supposed to have been a cross between the Tumbler and the Cumulet in order to improve their flying qualities and give them a larger range of flight, that is, they rake more, which keeps them longer on the wing. There is no doubt that it is man-made through selective breeding. The breed is thought to be originated in Congleton and Macclesfield mining town in England, around the year 1845. The aim of the old time breeders was to perfect a graceful action of the wings, or "Butterfly Action" and it is the ease and grace with which the wings are used that enable the Tippler to attain its marvelous duration of flight.

 

Fancy Pigeon

Fancy pigeons are domesticated varieties of the Rock Pigeon. They are bred by pigeon fanciers for various traits relating to size, shape, color, and behavior, who often exhibit their birds at pigeon shows, fairs and other livestock exhibits.

Pigeon fanciers from many different countries exhibit their birds at local, inter-state or national shows and compete against one another for prizes. One typical country show in Australia in 2008 had hundreds of pigeons on display and prizes for the winners.

 

Pigeon showing

Some fanciers organize exhibitions exclusively for pigeons; one held in Blackpool run by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association is annually attended by about 25,000 people and generates around £80,000 profit, which is donated to charity.

The largest pigeon show is held in Nuremberg: the German National Pigeon Show, which had over 33,500 pigeons at the 2006 show.

There are about 800 pigeon breeds; considering all regional varieties all over the world there may be 1100 breeds. The European list of fancy pigeons alone names about 500 breeds. No other domestic animal has branched out into such a variety of forms and coolers.