By the time Darwin was studying them, pigeon breeding was already a full-on hobby in England. People had been raising them for food for centuries, but eventually started going for style over supper. Enter the “Fancy Pigeon,” a bird with dramatic feathers, showy colors, and the kind of flair that would crush it on a red carpet.
These days, pigeons have a bit of an image problem. In cities, they’re often called “rats with wings” (rude), thanks to their scavenger lifestyle. But under the soot and snack-stealing, they’re actually clever, loyal, and still very fancy pets for those in the know.
