Fantail Pigeon
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Subclass: Neormithes
Superordem: Neognathae
Order: Columbiformes
Suborder: Columbae
Family: Columbidae
Subfamily: Columbinae
Genero: Columba
Specie: Columba livia
Subspecie: Columbia livia f. domestica
Common name: Pigeon
Breed: Fantail Pigeon
Uses: Exhibition & Ornamentals bird
Origen: India, but there are early references to it in Spain and China
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Subclass: Neormithes
Superordem: Neognathae
Order: Columbiformes
Suborder: Columbae
Family: Columbidae
Subfamily: Columbinae
Genero: Columba
Specie: Columba livia
Subspecie: Columbia livia f. domestica
Common name: Pigeon
Breed: Fantail Pigeon
Uses: Exhibition & Ornamentals bird
Origen: India, but there are early references to it in Spain and China
Click on photo to enlarge for better viewing.
Characteristics: The Fantail Pigeon is an ancient breed whose origin is not completely certain, but is believed to originate in India, also having references in China and Spain. They came to Europe through the hands of merchants. Their appearance during this period was quite different from the Fantail Pigeon of today. It was only when the English and Scottish breeders began to bred they selectively and refine them into a show breed that we began to see the modern style. During the 19th century, breeders in the United States began importing them and quickly became one of the most exotic and popular breeds in the world today.
Beautiful, exotic, of unparalleled beauty and one of the most popular breeds of fancy pigeons, the Fantail Pigeon stands out from the others by its main characteristic that is the tail similar to a fan and from where originated the name of the breed. Fantails Pigeon stand out because of their dramatic, fan-shaped tails, which usually holds 30-40 feathers, compared to the average domestic pigeon's 12-14 tail feathers. There are many colors and varieties. They are naturally somewhat tame and confiding, but territorial in the time of mating. The Fantail Pigeon has been raised in captivity with a high-quality pigeon mix from a well-regarded source. You may also mix in quality grains such as millet, barley, wheat, whole corn, dry peas, buckwheat, oats, and so on, either from a good feed store with fast turn-over or from a health food store. Special pellets formulated for pigeons can be used to supplement the diet, to ensure that your bird has enough vitamins and protein. The season of mating reaches its peak in summer and spring. Considered monogamous, they mate for life and rear their broods together and at the time of reproduction the couple exchanges caresses and love for several days and the male shows a exotic dance to attract the female, exhibiting the beautiful tail fan. After mating, they begin to load sticks for nest building which is usually in high and safe places. Once the simple nest is built, the female lays an egg and then another a day or so later. The incubation period is 17 to 19 days. The female sits on the egg from late afternoon through the night. The male then takes over and does the day shift. Once the eggs hatch, both parents feed the young squabs. The first food is pigeon milk or crop milk, a cheesy substance that appears in the crops of the parents at hatching time and is fed for a week or so. Then the adults start regurgitating partially digested grains for the young. During the breeding period, the diet should be enriched. The young squabs develop quickly and with approximately 30 days they are already able to fly and leave the nest. By the time the squabs are ready to fly, about 4 weeks, the father is doing most of the feeding. The squabs are fed for another week to 10 days after they are free-flying. Their lifespan is average 15 years.
Beautiful, exotic, of unparalleled beauty and one of the most popular breeds of fancy pigeons, the Fantail Pigeon stands out from the others by its main characteristic that is the tail similar to a fan and from where originated the name of the breed. Fantails Pigeon stand out because of their dramatic, fan-shaped tails, which usually holds 30-40 feathers, compared to the average domestic pigeon's 12-14 tail feathers. There are many colors and varieties. They are naturally somewhat tame and confiding, but territorial in the time of mating. The Fantail Pigeon has been raised in captivity with a high-quality pigeon mix from a well-regarded source. You may also mix in quality grains such as millet, barley, wheat, whole corn, dry peas, buckwheat, oats, and so on, either from a good feed store with fast turn-over or from a health food store. Special pellets formulated for pigeons can be used to supplement the diet, to ensure that your bird has enough vitamins and protein. The season of mating reaches its peak in summer and spring. Considered monogamous, they mate for life and rear their broods together and at the time of reproduction the couple exchanges caresses and love for several days and the male shows a exotic dance to attract the female, exhibiting the beautiful tail fan. After mating, they begin to load sticks for nest building which is usually in high and safe places. Once the simple nest is built, the female lays an egg and then another a day or so later. The incubation period is 17 to 19 days. The female sits on the egg from late afternoon through the night. The male then takes over and does the day shift. Once the eggs hatch, both parents feed the young squabs. The first food is pigeon milk or crop milk, a cheesy substance that appears in the crops of the parents at hatching time and is fed for a week or so. Then the adults start regurgitating partially digested grains for the young. During the breeding period, the diet should be enriched. The young squabs develop quickly and with approximately 30 days they are already able to fly and leave the nest. By the time the squabs are ready to fly, about 4 weeks, the father is doing most of the feeding. The squabs are fed for another week to 10 days after they are free-flying. Their lifespan is average 15 years.
Average size: 34 centimeters (13.4 in.)
Weight: 400 - 525 grams (14 - 18.5 oz.)
Click on photos to enlarge for better viewing.