Information on Fantails & Dove Pigeons

Doves and pigeons belong to the same bird family, known as columbidae. Humans have domesticated pigeons for centuries for their looks as well as to perform specific tasks. Pigeons bred to have certain features are "fancy" pigeons -- a group which includes fantails. Doves are essentially wild birds and are not domesticated, although some types of doves are sold in pet stores.

  1. Rock Doves or Rock Pigeons

    • Rock doves are the ancestors of the common rock pigeon seen nesting on buildings in cities. Usually gray with blue feathers on their heads and dark bars on their wings, they came to North America from Europe in the 1600s. Today, they gather in large flocks and make their home wherever they can obtain food. In cities, they are a nuisance because their droppings have to be constantly cleaned up. They can be a problem on farms where grain crops grow because they feed on the grain before harvest.

    Homing Pigeons

    • Homing pigeons can fly great distances to find their way home. Bred from rock pigeons, they are similar in coloring but their bodies are lighter and more streamlined. They may also race. The owners transport them by road or rail to a specified location and set them loose. A time clock records the time they return home and the fastest time recorded wins the race. Homing pigeons were used to carry messages tied to their legs in war times, during which time they were referred to as carrier pigeons.

    Fantail Pigeons

    • Fantail pigeons were bred in India. They are often pure white, although other colors include dun, red, black, silver, yellow, checkered and saddle. Fantail pigeons are attractive with their small erect heads and a large fanned-out tails and are often tamed and kept as pets. Serious fantail pigeon breeders compete in bird shows to win prizes for the appearance of their birds. Fantail pigeons are not difficult to breed and may be seen in pigeon lofts in suburban gardens.

    Other Fancy Pigeons

    • Pigeon fanciers may concentrate on collecting and breeding a variety of "fancy pigeons" that have been bred to exhibit certain traits. Fancy pigeon breeds include the Chinese Owl, which looks like an owl and has feathers on its feet; the Jacobin pigeon which has a ruff of feathers growing around its head; Satinnets with crests and feathers on their feet, and rollers and tumblers, birds that fly to great heights and then tumble back to the ground.

    Mourning Doves

    • Mourning doves are probably the most recognizable dove. You can see them everywhere throughout the world in fields, on telephone wires, on trees, and on city buildings. Mourning doves are grey through buff with black markings on their wings and tails. Their soft coo is easily recognizable and their wings emit a whistling sound when they fly.