King pigeon
 A pair of white Kings | |
| Conservation status | Common |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Classification | |
| Australian Breed Group | Utility Group9 |
| US Breed Group | Utility |
| EE Breed Group | Hen Pigeons |
| |
The King pigeon is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility breed.[1]
Harry Baker, created the first Kings much more through tenacious, planned, and skillful breeding than serendipity. What Harry needed was a bird that was both beautiful and productive. Productive at this time meant to be eaten. [2] Kings along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock dove (Columba livia).
The breed is known for its large size and suitability for squab production.
Show Kings
The breed also has a variety bred for exhibition purposes at pigeon shows. It is called the Show King to distinguish it from the purely utility variety. The American Pigeon Journal even devoted special issues to the Show King for August 1938, June 1959, January 1964, and November 1970. The Show King is dual purpose and can be used for squab raising.[3]
History
The King is a dual purpose breed that originated in the United States.[4] They were developed during the 1890s by crossing four older varieties: the Duchess for grace; the Homer for alertness; the Maltese for compactness and style; and the Runt for body and size.[3]
Roles with humans
Food
King pigeon meat is popular in cuisines of parts of China, North Africa, North America, and some European countries.[5]
Gallery
Red grizzle NPA National 2026
White mottled NPA National 2026.png)
Red check NPA National 2026
Blue bar King Pigeon.jpg)
black tigered King
White King_captive_08.jpg)
White King pigeon
Yellow King
Red King.jpg)
Blue Bar King
See also
References
- ↑ Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0-85390-013-2.
- ↑ John Verburg (February 16, 1996). "pigeoncote show page". Pigeoncote.com. John Verburg. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- 1 2 Seymour, Rev. Colin (Ed)(2006) Australian Fancy Pigeons National Book of Standards.
- ↑ Levi, Wendell (1965). Encyclopedia of Pigeon Breeds. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. p. 202. ISBN 0-910876-02-9.
- ↑ Kokosyzński, D. (2020) Carcass Characteristics, Physicochemical Properties, and Texture and Microstructure of the Meat and Internal Organs of Carrier and King Pigeons.
External links
