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34 Of The World’s Most Beautiful Types Of Pigeons
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Step aside, fashion chickens, it’s time for pigeons to stand in the spotlight and shine! The pigeons that we see in cities are just the tip of the feathered iceberg—there are lots of beautiful and unusual pigeon species that many of us haven’t ever heard of.
To show you what we mean, Bored Panda has collected photos of the rarest and most fashionable pigeons for you to enjoy. Scroll down, upvote your faves, and let us know which fashion pigeon you loved the most and why. We also know how much you love other animals, dear Pandas. So when you’re done enjoying this cool (or rather coo’) list, check out our other posts about gorgeous unusual animals right here, here, and here.
Pigeons are downright interesting when you start learning more about them. For example, some scientists argue that the common city pigeon (aka the rock pigeon) might have been the very first birb that hoomans have ever domesticated. They’re featured as figurines, in mosaics, and on coins from ancient Mesopotamia since at least 4500 BC. Bored Panda reached out to the Royal Pigeon Racing Association to learn more about these birds. Scroll down for our interview with them.
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Pink-Necked Green Pigeon
The Nicobar Pigeon
have you ever seen a peacock? They don't really look like pigeons...
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The RPRA told us that pigeons are incredibly skilled and are able to get up to speeds of over 70 miles (nearly 113 kilometers) per hour.
“They have been used in both world wars due to their skills in speed endurance and their homing abilities,” the RPRA said.
The Association agrees that pigeons most likely were the first birds that humans domesticated because of their trusting nature and calmness.
“They also have the ability to return to a central location so they are easy to keep—they always return. Meanwhile, pigeons have the ability to deliver messages; Julius Caesar used them in his battles to send messages to and from his troops and occupied areas.'
Some of us may have thought on more than one occasion that pigeons might be a bit on the dumb side. But that isn’t the case! Researchers published a study in 2017 that proved that pigeons understand the concepts of space and time. A lot like humans and primates.
Pigeons are also expert navigators. They can find their way back to their nests from 1.3k miles (nearly 2.1k kilometers) away. The coolest part is that they’re able to do this even if they’ve been taken from their nests and moved in complete isolation and rotated so they don’t know which direction they’re moving in.
African Green-Pigeon
Pigeon trying to get into the house by convincing you its a parakeet
Scientists are still unsure why exactly pigeons are so awesome at this. But one thing’s for sure: humanity has known about pigeons’ navigational skill since at least 3000 BC. People used to set caged pigeons free and then follow them to nearby land.
What’s more, the ancient Greeks used to train pigeons to carry the results of the Olympics—so sports fans were always in the know! Pigeons truly are mysterious and beautiful birds and we’re still finding out new things about them every year.
Spinifex Pigeon
While the world was deceived into believing cats were sent from aliens to rule the world, pigeons were diligently reporting to their masters (and our future overlords) with their head antennas all this time. Folks, it was pigeons all along. Cats were just trying to save us all this time!
Pied Imperial Pigeon
he does have that look of an imperial on him, leading the empire with a cold talon!
Capuchine/Jacobin Mix
English Trumpeter Pigeon
Whoever thought “Let's breed a bird that can barely walk because it has feathers growing in the wrong place.“ needs to be slapped.
Brunner Pouter Pigeon
Lahore Pigeon
This lawhore (lahore) is the reason the English pigeon is called a carrier(herpe) pigeon. 🤣🤣🙈
Kabutar Pigeon
Imagine that scene from Jurassic Park where the Trex is looking in the car window but instead it's this pigeon
Black Helmet Pigeon
Unique Pigeon
Some of these pigeons err on the side of designer dogs and cats, not fair on birds meant to fly.
You are so right, designer pigeons, some by people with no life, therefore, play with a life, you have no right to, some dog breeds are bad, and continue bad breeding of them, some dogs require corrective surgery, they did not ask for suffering, need some controlled breeding !!!
Several of these are obviously bred rather than naturally evolved. It would have been nice if the page was split in two sections, one with wild pigeons and one with tame breeds.
Most of them, especially those with the curly feathers and feathers on weird places are "thoroughbreds" For shows, etc like with cats and dogs, saw a documentary covered almost every breed of domestic and wild pigeon species and was so fascinated to learn that there are so many beauties really than your plain old you always see outside and breeders use or keep as pets.
Hi i'm very impressed of all kinds of peigens and i want to purchase some kinds can you tell me the way ?
I love it when someone says "obviously" and then they are wrong. It can't get any funnier when they say obviously. It's like 1000x worse than not saying it and being wrong.
They're all fancy breeds. Pidgeon breeding has been a thing for at least a thousand years (and probably more).
No, they're not all "fancy breeds". The crowned pigeons, african green, pied imperial, nicobar, spinifex, pink-necked green and bronzewing pigeons are all wild varieties.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
You like to say stuff without thinking, huh?
Missing the mighty NZ Kererū (or by its English name, wood pigeon). These are big birds, they always swoop down low when first taking off (one nearly hit me flying over our deck last week), and the sound of them flying by is so distinctive. Love them https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/nz-pigeon-kereru/
these are wild pigeons in my garden P6060022-5...8bf8d2.jpg
Love kereru! The big "whop whop" of their wings! Sometimes they eat too many berries and can't take off Well, maybe why they fly low ^-^
I know nothing about the breeding of fancy pigeons, but assume that, as it is for cats and dogs etc, they is much selective and inbreeding to procure what look (to me) as undesirable and unnatural traits (specifically their breaks). I wonder if they are bred like that to prevent feather plucking (which is normally a sign of stress).
These pigeons are beautiful
Do they leave colorful poop on statues?
The photos are more than beautiful
I'M PUTTING IN MY FAVORITES.I DON'T WANT LOSE THEM .LOOKING AT THEM FROM TIME TO TIME.THEY ARE BEYOUND BEAUTIFUL,
Such beautiful birds.
Pigeons make nice pets. I had two when I was a child.
Wow! These are amazing and so pretty! All the pigeon's that live near me are just that grey colour.
I had no idea that pigeons could be as pretty as some of these are. Are some of them flightless because their wings look like they wouldn't allow them to fly?
Just beautiful
"...the very first birb that hoomans have ever domesticated." I believe we need some much better editing here. Who lets this spelling go to press, (or internet)?
Incredibly beautiful all! But, with all the Wild Life programmes we see, how come these have never been shown? These could make a whole series, if they are genuine birds. Some do.look a bit too artistic to be real. Frankenstein Creations?
Beautiful pigeons but I would have liked to see their countries of origin.
If only the writer knew the difference between species and breed. :-\
Gorgeous!! I never knew there were so many different varieties!!
Here in South Africa, we have a few that are also truly unique and beautiful. One, I never knew of, and then one considered a nuisance by many here yet very beautiful. The one I never knew we had's name is the African Olive Pigeon. Then the one considered a nuisance is called a "Bos Duif", "Krans Duif" for Afrikaans names, English Names I could find was Rock Pigeon, Speckled Pigeon, Guinea Pigeon. It has many names but out of all the names are Krans Duif and Speckled Pigeon the correct name for it. Also, all are wild, none of them are bred for domestication. :)
Can't forget the NZ Kererū! They are absolutely stunning birds
Some beautiful birds
Now I am so going to write a story based entirely on a class system of pigeons..... I love it.
Reminder that humans LOVED pigeons for probably at least 10,000 years, until the last 85-ish years or so. We bred them to be ultra fertile, to make lots of poop (for fertilizer), for sending communications, for food, and to be pleasing for us to look at. Pigeons were basically livestock, on par with chickens. Except, we seem to have loved our pigeons more since we took such care in breeding them for specific traits. Also; pigeons and doves are the same thing. Generally, doves are slightly smaller, and pigeons are slightly larger, that's about it.
I feel a bit sorry for some of them. Just like with some dog and cat races, breeders really took things too far and interesting features are pushed to become deformations.
Since birds are dinosaurs, survivors of the Yucatan Impactor, why not use them to grow some raptors. Ridley Scott would be so proud of you.
I feel a tad sorrow for these birds. They are beautiful and nature freaks at the same time.
I made this of the Kabutar pigeon: https://imgur.com/gallery/QmMtdze
So, are there pigeon shows like there are dog shows?
There are actually more breeds of pigeon than dog. Pigeon breeding and showing is a surprisingly huge thing.
Yes, very popular with pigeon enthusiasts. And noisy.
Dang, right now I have pigeons nesting in my rooftop that I'm trying to get rid of. If they were this purty I would keep them!
yeah they are pretty lookin but I bet the still shit on everything just like the plain ol' common ones
This comment has been deleted.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
BoredPanda trying to make horribly deformed animals "cute" yet again.
While I enjoyed the wild pigeons, some of these breeds are terrifying. I can't ignore the suffering these animals must endure to look like this.
Some of these pigeons err on the side of designer dogs and cats, not fair on birds meant to fly.
You are so right, designer pigeons, some by people with no life, therefore, play with a life, you have no right to, some dog breeds are bad, and continue bad breeding of them, some dogs require corrective surgery, they did not ask for suffering, need some controlled breeding !!!
Several of these are obviously bred rather than naturally evolved. It would have been nice if the page was split in two sections, one with wild pigeons and one with tame breeds.
Most of them, especially those with the curly feathers and feathers on weird places are "thoroughbreds" For shows, etc like with cats and dogs, saw a documentary covered almost every breed of domestic and wild pigeon species and was so fascinated to learn that there are so many beauties really than your plain old you always see outside and breeders use or keep as pets.
Hi i'm very impressed of all kinds of peigens and i want to purchase some kinds can you tell me the way ?
I love it when someone says "obviously" and then they are wrong. It can't get any funnier when they say obviously. It's like 1000x worse than not saying it and being wrong.
They're all fancy breeds. Pidgeon breeding has been a thing for at least a thousand years (and probably more).
No, they're not all "fancy breeds". The crowned pigeons, african green, pied imperial, nicobar, spinifex, pink-necked green and bronzewing pigeons are all wild varieties.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
You like to say stuff without thinking, huh?
Missing the mighty NZ Kererū (or by its English name, wood pigeon). These are big birds, they always swoop down low when first taking off (one nearly hit me flying over our deck last week), and the sound of them flying by is so distinctive. Love them https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/nz-pigeon-kereru/
these are wild pigeons in my garden P6060022-5...8bf8d2.jpg
Love kereru! The big "whop whop" of their wings! Sometimes they eat too many berries and can't take off Well, maybe why they fly low ^-^
I know nothing about the breeding of fancy pigeons, but assume that, as it is for cats and dogs etc, they is much selective and inbreeding to procure what look (to me) as undesirable and unnatural traits (specifically their breaks). I wonder if they are bred like that to prevent feather plucking (which is normally a sign of stress).
These pigeons are beautiful
Do they leave colorful poop on statues?
The photos are more than beautiful
I'M PUTTING IN MY FAVORITES.I DON'T WANT LOSE THEM .LOOKING AT THEM FROM TIME TO TIME.THEY ARE BEYOUND BEAUTIFUL,
Such beautiful birds.
Pigeons make nice pets. I had two when I was a child.
Wow! These are amazing and so pretty! All the pigeon's that live near me are just that grey colour.
I had no idea that pigeons could be as pretty as some of these are. Are some of them flightless because their wings look like they wouldn't allow them to fly?
Just beautiful
"...the very first birb that hoomans have ever domesticated." I believe we need some much better editing here. Who lets this spelling go to press, (or internet)?
Incredibly beautiful all! But, with all the Wild Life programmes we see, how come these have never been shown? These could make a whole series, if they are genuine birds. Some do.look a bit too artistic to be real. Frankenstein Creations?
Beautiful pigeons but I would have liked to see their countries of origin.
If only the writer knew the difference between species and breed. :-\
Gorgeous!! I never knew there were so many different varieties!!
Here in South Africa, we have a few that are also truly unique and beautiful. One, I never knew of, and then one considered a nuisance by many here yet very beautiful. The one I never knew we had's name is the African Olive Pigeon. Then the one considered a nuisance is called a "Bos Duif", "Krans Duif" for Afrikaans names, English Names I could find was Rock Pigeon, Speckled Pigeon, Guinea Pigeon. It has many names but out of all the names are Krans Duif and Speckled Pigeon the correct name for it. Also, all are wild, none of them are bred for domestication. :)
Can't forget the NZ Kererū! They are absolutely stunning birds
Some beautiful birds
Now I am so going to write a story based entirely on a class system of pigeons..... I love it.
Reminder that humans LOVED pigeons for probably at least 10,000 years, until the last 85-ish years or so. We bred them to be ultra fertile, to make lots of poop (for fertilizer), for sending communications, for food, and to be pleasing for us to look at. Pigeons were basically livestock, on par with chickens. Except, we seem to have loved our pigeons more since we took such care in breeding them for specific traits. Also; pigeons and doves are the same thing. Generally, doves are slightly smaller, and pigeons are slightly larger, that's about it.
I feel a bit sorry for some of them. Just like with some dog and cat races, breeders really took things too far and interesting features are pushed to become deformations.
Since birds are dinosaurs, survivors of the Yucatan Impactor, why not use them to grow some raptors. Ridley Scott would be so proud of you.
I feel a tad sorrow for these birds. They are beautiful and nature freaks at the same time.
I made this of the Kabutar pigeon: https://imgur.com/gallery/QmMtdze
So, are there pigeon shows like there are dog shows?
There are actually more breeds of pigeon than dog. Pigeon breeding and showing is a surprisingly huge thing.
Yes, very popular with pigeon enthusiasts. And noisy.
Dang, right now I have pigeons nesting in my rooftop that I'm trying to get rid of. If they were this purty I would keep them!
yeah they are pretty lookin but I bet the still shit on everything just like the plain ol' common ones
This comment has been deleted.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
BoredPanda trying to make horribly deformed animals "cute" yet again.
While I enjoyed the wild pigeons, some of these breeds are terrifying. I can't ignore the suffering these animals must endure to look like this.