Helmet Pigeon with Origin Description Size Ornaments Color Comment and Pictures

Origin: Unknown, but most likely Persia. It is described by the earliest European authors: Aldrovandi (1603), Willughby (1676), and Vollenhoven (1686). It appears to have been identical in early days with the Nun, except the Nun and colored flights and a crest. Its name in several languages is derived from its colored head. It was a very popular flying breed in Western Europe in past centuries.

Description: It is bred here as an exhibition bird. It is a neat pigeon, well adapted to fight or show. It is bred in Spain, England, Holland and Germany in different forms-some plain-headed and some crested; some with a short face, as the Humburg Helmet; some with a medium face; and some with a rather long face, as the Dutch Helmet. The accompanying photographs illustrate the different types.

Size: Small average weight 8.5 to 9.5 ounces for the long-and medium-faced down to 7 to 8 ounces for the Humburg.

Ornaments: The Helmet should be clean-legged. It is plain-headed or shell-crested, according to the test of the breeders in a particular country.

Colors: The Helmet plumage is all white save for a colored upper head (the color extending backward in a straight line from where the upper and lower beaks meet and passing just under the eye) and colored tail feathers. It is bred in black, red yellow, blue, silver and isabel.

Comment: The Helmet was exhibited in the United States in 1873 at the first recorded American pigeon show. It has never been widely bread, but it has always had a few enthusiastic breeders. The American Helmet Club sponsors the breed.

Seven steps must follows for Pigeon growing:

The requirements for pigeon breeding are simple, but they must be followed to be successful.

There should be no relaxing or neglect at any time, for it is much easier to prevent trouble than to eliminate disease, parasites or vermin once these have occurred.

1. A dry house with the inside protected from rain or snow.

2. Separate houses for mated pairs and odd birds.

3. A flypen, if the breed requires one that dries out easily.

4.  A suitable feed ration protected from contamination.

5. A suitable mineral ration protected from contamination.

6. Water suitable for human consumption protected from contamination.

7. Suitable nesting materials.

If any one of the seven is neglected, trouble of some sort will eventually occur.

References: Wendell Mitchell Levi (1891-1976), accepted everywhere as Mr. Pigeon

Helmet Pigeon Pictures Gallery