Fancy pigeon

Pigeon fanciers from many countries exhibit their birds at local, inter-state or national shows and compete against one another for prizes. In England, the Philoperisteron Society conducted annual shows in the mid 1800s. There were also a London Columbarian Society. The extensive variations in the breeds attracted the attention of Charles Darwin and played a major role in developing ideas on evolution. 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.{{Cite news| last =Child | first =Brad | title ="Pigeon Pals Tour" Part II | newspaper =Purebred Pigeon (March/April 2007) | pages =71, 72 | year =2007 In the United States, there are hundreds of local, state and national pigeon clubs that sponsor shows. The largest shows are the National Young Bird Show, held in Louisville, Kentucky in October, and the National Pigeon Association's Grand National, held in a different city each year and usually in January. ==Major breed families==

This grouping system is adapted from Australian Fancy Pigeons National Book of Standards. Consideration was given to the new UK standards book which followed the German and European grouping. This version differs slightly from that of the European grouping; the following system is arbitrary and used solely for organizing breed articles until a grouping can be accepted worldwide. Asian feather and voice pigeons This group includes breeds developed for extensive feathering that originated in the Asian region, as well as breeds cultivated for their trumpeting, or laughing, voice. • Fantail • Frillback • Jacobin • Lahore • Trumpeter • English Trumpeter Colour pigeons at an exhibition Most of these pigeons originate in Germany, and are sometimes listed as German Toys. There are many varieties, with a wide selection of colours and markings. • Archangel pigeon • Danish Suabian • Saxon Field Pigeon • Starling • Swallow • Thuringen Field Pigeon • Ice Pigeon Frills and Owls The word "frill" here relates to the reversed feathering on the chest of these varieties. This group is also noted for having short beaks. • Aachen Lacquer Shield Owl • African Owl • Chinese Owl • Italian Owl • Old German Owl • Old Dutch Owl • Oriental Frill • Turbit Homer and Hen Pigeons Homing pigeons This group includes breeds originally developed for their homing ability, and includes show-type racing pigeons. • American Show Racer • Dragoon • English Carrier • German Beauty Homer • Homing pigeon Pouters and Croppers This group includes breeds developed for the ability to inflate their crops. • English Pouter • Brunner Pouter • Gaditano Pouter • Holle Cropper • Horseman Pouter • Norwich Cropper • Pigmy Pouter • Pouter • Voorburg shield cropper • Old German Croppers • Magpi pouter Exhibition Tumblers This group originally consisted of flying/tumbler breeds, but has now been refined to include only purely ornamental/exhibition breeds. • English Long-faced Tumbler • English Short-faced Tumbler • Helmet • English Magpie • Nun • Budapest Short-faced Tumbler Flying Tumblers and Highfliers This group is dual purpose in that its members can be shown, but also retain acrobatic or sporting ability and can therefore be used in flying competitions. Flying tumbler varieties belong in this group. Although many varieties in this grouping have become primarily show varieties, they are still expected to display characteristics of performing birds. • American Roller • Armenian Tumbler • Australian Performing Tumbler • Danzig Highflyer • Donek • Roller • Tippler • Dutch Helmet Utility pigeons This group includes breeds originally developed as sources of meat. • Carneau • French Mondain • King pigeon • American Giant Runt • Strasser pigeon ==See also==