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 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 !!!
Don't forget cats. The breeders of some breeds should go to jail for animal abuse.
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
I found a pigeon ice pigeons how much do they worth
you are so lucky to have that many adorable birbs in your yard... I love pigeons and doves
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 ^-^
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 !!!
Don't forget cats. The breeders of some breeds should go to jail for animal abuse.
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
I found a pigeon ice pigeons how much do they worth
you are so lucky to have that many adorable birbs in your yard... I love pigeons and doves
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 ^-^