34 Most Beautiful and Special Pigeon Species in the World

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. Bored Panda reached out to the Royal Pigeon Racing Association to learn more about these birds. Scroll down for our interview with them.

1-Pink-Necked Green Pigeon

Pink-Necked Green Pigeon

2-The Nicobar Pigeon

The Nicobar Pigeon

3-Victoria Crowned Pigeon

Victoria Crowned Pigeon

4-Brown Frillback Pigeon

Brown Frillback Pigeon

5-Bronzewing Pigeon

Bronzewing Pigeon

6-Blue Crowned Pigeon

Blue Crowned Pigeon

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.

7-Jacobin Pigeons

Jacobin Pigeons

8-Indian Fantail

Indian Fantail

9-African Green-Pigeon

African Green-Pigeon

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.

10-Spinifex Pigeon

Spinifex Pigeon

While the world was deceived into believing cats were sent from aliens to rule the world, pigeons were diligently reporting to their masters (and our future overlords) with their head antennas all this time. Folks, it was pigeons all along. Cats were just trying to save us all this time!

11-Grey Frillback Pigeon

Grey Frillback Pigeon