Fantail pigeon

Lore & Background

The Fantail pigeon is a popular fancy breed known for its distinctive fan-shaped tail, which contains 30 to 40 feathers—far more than the typical 12 to 14 found in most doves and pigeons. Its exact origin is uncertain, with possible roots in Pakistan, India, China, Japan, or Spain. Several subvarieties exist, including the English Fantail, the Indian Fantail (which has a peak crest), the Thai Fantail, and the Miniature. A feather mutation called Silky gives an interesting lace effect to the tail feathers; birds with this mutation are known as Silky or Lace Fantails.

Reader's Guide

The Fantail pigeon holds significance as one of the examples Charles Darwin used in the first chapter of On the Origin of Species, where he argued it descended from the rock dove (Columba livia). This makes the breed historically important in the development of evolutionary theory. Beyond its scientific role, the Fantail is widely kept by pigeon fanciers and is often used in training racing pigeons and Tipplers: they serve as droppers placed on the loft landing board to signal flying birds to come in and be fed. The American Pigeon Journal devoted special issues to the breed in February 1975 and July 1977. The Thai Fantail subvariety, described as pure white with ribbon-like stripes on its tail, was first introduced by Charles Darwin and is difficult to breed outside Thailand, though a breeder in Pakistan successfully produced striped Thai Fantails by pairing black males and brown females of different breeds.

Did You Know?

• The Fantail's tail has 30 to 40 feathers, while most pigeons and doves have only 12 to 14.
• Charles Darwin used the Fantail as an example in the first chapter of On the Origin of Species.
• A feather mutation called Silky gives a lace effect to the Fantail's tail feathers.
• Fantails are used as droppers to signal racing pigeons and Tipplers to return to the loft.