Step aside, fashion chickens, it’s time for pigeons to stand in the spotlight and shine! The pigeons that we see in cities are just the tip of the feathered iceberg—there are lots of beautiful and unusual pigeon species that many of us haven’t ever heard of.
To show you what we mean, Bored Panda has collected photos of the rarest and most fashionable pigeons for you to enjoy. Scroll down, upvote your faves, and let us know which fashion pigeon you loved the most and why. We also know how much you love other animals, dear Pandas. So when you’re done enjoying this cool (or rather coo’) list, check out our other posts about gorgeous unusual animals right here, here, and here.
Pigeons are downright interesting when you start learning more about them. For example, some scientists argue that the common city pigeon (aka the rock pigeon) might have been the very first birb that hoomans have ever domesticated. They’re featured as figurines, in mosaics, and on coins from ancient Mesopotamia since at least 4500 BC.
#1 The Nicobar Pigeon
Image credits: Sue Demetriou
#2 Brown Frillback Pigeon
Image credits: pigeonstvfans
#3 Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Image credits: The Virginia Zoo
Some of us may have thought on more than one occasion that pigeons might be a bit on the dumb side. But that isn’t the case! Researchers published a study in 2017 that proved that pigeons understand the concepts of space and time. A lot like humans and primates.
Pigeons are also expert navigators. They can find their way back to their nests from 1.3k miles (nearly 2.1k kilometers) away. The coolest part is that they’re able to do this even if they’ve been taken from their nests and moved in complete isolation and rotated so they don’t know which direction they’re moving in.
#4 Spinifex Pigeon
Image credits: jeordiethegenerator
#5 Pink-Necked Green Pigeon
Image credits: Think_Void
#6 African Green-Pigeon
Image credits: Biosample
Scientists are still unsure why exactly pigeons are so awesome at this. But one thing’s for sure: humanity has known about pigeons’ navigational skill since at least 3000 BC. People used to set caged pigeons free and then follow them to nearby land.
What’s more, the ancient Greeks used to train pigeons to carry the results of the Olympics—so sports fans were always in the know! Pigeons truly are mysterious and beautiful birds and we’re still finding out new things about them every year.
#7 Jacobin Pigeons
Image credits: 8pigeons8
#8 Bronzwing Pidgeon
Image credits: di_cross_
#9 Brunner Pouter Pigeon
Image credits: cocoakoumori
#10 Lahore Pigeon
Image credits: alittlebitiffy
#11 Grey Frillback Pigeon
#12 Blue Crowned Pigeon
#13 Ice Pigeon
Image credits: wikipedia
#14 English Short-Faced Tumbler
Image credits: Graham Manning
#15 English Carrier Pigeon
Image credits: jim gifford
#16 English Barb
Image credits: harjonojojo
#17 English Trumpeter Pigeon
Image credits: Graham Manning
#18 Fantail Pigeon
Image credits: BonchiFox
#19 Black Helmet Pigeon
Image credits: Graham Manning
#20 Voorburg Shield Cropper
Image credits: circlecpigeons
#21 Red White Roller Pigeon
Image credits: pigeons_in_poonch
#22 Archangel Pigeons
Image credits: michael.tzouramanis
#23 German Modena Pigeon
Image credits: jim gifford
#24 Capuchine/Jacobin Mix
Image credits: WolfTheWyvern
#25 Kabutar Pigeon
Image credits: vijayrajputvaishnav
#26 Tumbler Pigeon
Image credits: neel_birds_official
#27 Lahore Pigeon
Image credits: pigeonkeeping
#28 Old Dutch Capuchine
Image credits: pirateinwales
#29 Unique Pigeon
Image credits: pigeon_club_official
#30 Pied Imperial Pigeon
Image credits: Derek Ramsey
#31 Oriental Frill Pigeon
Image credits: jim gifford
#32 Scandaroon Pigeon
Image credits: jim gifford
#33 Old Dutch Capuchine
Image credits: hurricane_piccio
#34 Unique Pigeon
Image credits: pigeon_club_official
#35 Indian Fantail
Image credits: green_iggies
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