Origin
The Chinese Owl Pigeon is a breed of fancy pigeon that has been developed through many years of selective breeding. It is believed that the breed’s origins can be traced back to Spain or India. However, the exact country of origin is uncertain. The breed was given the name ″Chinese Owl″ by a French pigeon dealer named Destriveaux, who sold some of these pigeons to King Prosche of Germany in 1865. Since then, the breed has been bred and developed in Germany and can now be found worldwide.
Breed Characteristics
The Chinese Owl Pigeon is a small-sized breed with an average weight ranging between 280 grams and 340 grams. It comes in various color variations, including blue/blue grey, black, barred, brown, satinette, blondinette, ice, pied, white-black, and white. This breed is known for its profuse frilled feathers. Many specimens of Chinese Owl Pigeons have a chin-crest around the frontal region of their neck. They have a round head and round eyes, with a short but bigger beak compared to the African owl pigeon. The underbelly feathers are frilly, and the feathers on the chest cover the entire breast, with a partition in the middle where some feathers point towards the neck and others towards the pantaloons.
Temperament
Chinese Owl Pigeons are generally known for their calm and gentle temperament. They are less aggressive compared to racing pigeons. However, male pigeons of this breed can be territorial and may defend their territory if threatened. They can get easily offended but are generally friendly once they are familiar with people. They have a timid nature and can act innocently angry when provoked.
Preferred Living Conditions
Chinese Owl Pigeons are domestic fancy pigeons, and they can be bred in any country. They are not strong flyers and can be let out to roam around as they usually do not fly away. However, they are not capable of keeping up with homing pigeons and can be vulnerable to predators if left unsupervised. Therefore, it is recommended to keep them in a safe and secure environment, especially when letting other pigeons fly.
Usage
Chinese Owl Pigeons are primarily bred for exhibition purposes. Their unique and beautiful appearance, with their small size and profuse frilled feathers, makes them one of the fanciest breeds among fancy pigeons. They are often showcased in pigeon shows and exhibitions worldwide. Chinese Owl Pigeons are not commonly used for pigeon racing due to their limited flying ability and slower speed compared to racing pigeon breeds. However, they can still participate in pigeon races for fun or as non-competitive flyers.
Key Data
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Uncertain, possibly Spain or India |
| Size | Small |
| Weight | 280-340 grams |
| Color Variations | Blue/blue grey, black, barred, brown, satinette, blondinette, ice, pied, white-black, white |
| Temperament | Calm, gentle, territorial |
| Preferred Living Conditions | Secure environment, not strong flyers, supervision required |
| Usage | Primarily bred for exhibition |
Interesting Facts
- The Chinese Owl Pigeon is a descendant of the rock pigeon (Columba livia).
- They have natural frills on their feathers, particularly on the underbelly and chest.
- The breed is known for its calm and gentle temperament.
- Chinese Owl Pigeons are popular for exhibition due to their unique and fancy appearance.
- They are not commonly used for pigeon racing but can participate in non-competitive races.
