Ice Pigeon
Encyclopedia
The Ice Pigeon is a breed
of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding
. Ice Pigeons, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons
, are all descendants from the Rock Pigeon
(Columba livia).
to western Poland
, with most early breeding in Saxony
and Silesia
. Two or three distinct lineages, bred for centuries, were merged to form the modern-day Ice Pigeon: one was light-winged with dark eyes, and another one or two had black wing markings and reddish eyes.
The Ice Pigeon has several varieties, differing in the type and color of their wing pattern. All are otherwise unpatterned, except for a wide black tail-end band; the ends of the rectrices are white. The basic color of Ice Pigeons is a pale grey. They appear even lighter due to their abundant powder down, which covers the entire plumage in whitish dust; its Polish name Lazurek ("glaze
d pigeon") refers to this. The English and German names refer to the coloration, which in bright light appears "icy" white with a very slight buish hue. All varieties may have feathered or unfeathered feet.
Due to the feather dust responsible for the Ice Pigeon's unique coloration, they may not be suitable for people with allergies.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding
Selective breeding
Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...
. Ice Pigeons, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons
Domestic Pigeon
The Domestic Pigeon was derived from the Rock Pigeon. The Rock Pigeon is the world's oldest domesticated bird. Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics.Research suggests that domestication of pigeons was as early as...
, are all descendants from the Rock Pigeon
Rock Pigeon
The Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon, is a member of the bird family Columbidae . In common usage, this bird is often simply referred to as the "pigeon"....
(Columba livia).
Description
The breed is known and named for its "ice-blue" colour. It was first developed in the region from eastern GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to western Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, with most early breeding in Saxony
Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
and Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
. Two or three distinct lineages, bred for centuries, were merged to form the modern-day Ice Pigeon: one was light-winged with dark eyes, and another one or two had black wing markings and reddish eyes.
The Ice Pigeon has several varieties, differing in the type and color of their wing pattern. All are otherwise unpatterned, except for a wide black tail-end band; the ends of the rectrices are white. The basic color of Ice Pigeons is a pale grey. They appear even lighter due to their abundant powder down, which covers the entire plumage in whitish dust; its Polish name Lazurek ("glaze
Glaze (painting technique)
Glazes can change the chroma, value, hue and texture of a surface. Drying time will depend on the amount and type of paint medium used in the glaze. The medium, base, or vehicle is the mixture to which the dry pigment is added...
d pigeon") refers to this. The English and German names refer to the coloration, which in bright light appears "icy" white with a very slight buish hue. All varieties may have feathered or unfeathered feet.
Due to the feather dust responsible for the Ice Pigeon's unique coloration, they may not be suitable for people with allergies.