The King pigeon is a breed of domestic pigeon which is raised primarily for utility purpose. It is from United States and was developed over many years of selective breeding.
The King pigeons along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, all are descendants from the feral or wild rock pigeon.
The breed was actually developed during the 1890s by crossing four older pigeon breeds. And those four varieties were Duchess, Homer, Maltese and Runt.
The Duchess were selected for grace, Homer for alertness, Runt for body and size, and the Maltese for compactness and style.
Currently the King pigeon is a popular breed in it’s native area and also in some other countries around the globe. Read some more information about this beautiful pigeon breed below.
Origin And History of King Pigeon
The exact origin of the king pigeon is not known, but it is believed to have originated in Belgium in the early 1800s. The breed was developed from the rock pigeon (a wild species found throughout Europe, Asia, and North Africa).
The king pigeon was developed through a process of selective breeding, which involved crossing various breeds of racing pigeons to create a bird that was both fast and resilient.
Over time, the king pigeon became known for its exceptional speed, stamina, and navigational abilities, making it a highly prized racing pigeon.
Today, the king pigeon is one of the most popular breeds of racing pigeon in the world, with a large following among pigeon fanciers and enthusiasts. While its exact origin is uncertain, the king pigeon’s legacy as a fast and hardy racing bird has ensured its place in the history of pigeon racing.
Characteristics
The King pigeon is a large breed of domestic pigeon. It is by many deemed to be one of the most beautiful of all the pigeon breeds. It has a quite round body, and the breed is available in many colors and patterns. This could appear ‘plump’ – but its size is actually more in height than in width – which may be the reason why there were named ‘King’.
It’s not too easy to identify the gender of these birds. Because both males and females look almost similar. Although, close observation of their interactions usually allows for a fairly accurate gender identification.
There are two types of the King pigeon: utility and and the show form. The show form are much more compact and upright than the utility birds. The show form is referred to as ‘Show Kings‘, and it is one of the most popular show birds in the United States and also globally. Average live body weight of the mature King pigeon is about 570 grams, but some birds can reach up to 900 grams.
Uses
King pigeons were originally bred for meat production purpose.They are still raised for meat production purpose. They are of large size and produce tender meat.
Special Notes
The King pigeon is a very beautiful bird with attractive appearance. It is a smart bird and sweet in nature. These birds are calm in nature and have full of personality.
They are of good behavior and make excellent pets. King pigeons are one of the pigeon breeds used for squab production. But the show form is excellent for showing and very attractive. However, review full breed profile of this breed below.
| Breed Name | King |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Show, utility, pets |
| Special Notes | Beautiful birds, calm and gentle in nature, docile temperament, attractive appearance, smart and sweet, excellent for show, very good for raising as pets |
| Breed Class | Large |
| Weight | Around 570 grams |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates |
| Flying Ability | Average |
| As Pets | Good |
| Color | Many |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | United States |
I am wondering if my female is just a regular white pigeon. I for sure have a Show King male, as he is much larger than the female. They haven’t produced any babies or eggs together and I have growing concerns that he is too large for her as she may be egg bound. They are in love and have been breeding for over a month now. Still no eggs. Should I take her to an avian Vet or assume that one of the birds has been sterilized? i adopted the male from a local shelter. I bought the female from a local breeder.
Hi, my name is Leonard and I’m in a jam with my daughter. I work for the NYC Parks Department and found a show king pigeon in one of my parks about 2 years ago. It has passed now and my daughter who I gave it to was took it very hard, so I promised her another one. Can you send me a price for a show king pigeon maybe a pair. Thanks for any help.
Hi! Not sure if it’s too late, but if you’re still looking for a pigeon for your daughter you might want to consider adopting from a rescue like Palomacy. I know they have a lot of lovely kings in need of a good home; I adopted one from them myself. The adoption fee is only $10 with them, and if you’re not too concerned with a “perfect”, show/meat quality bird that might be a really good option! They also have a couple bonded pairs, who would love to be adopted together!