Old German Owl Pigeon: Breed Guide (With Infographic)
The Old German Owl pigeon is a beautiful fancy bird with over 15 color variations. This bird isn’t only cute but also super smart to learn new tricks and an incredible flyer as well.
Plus, they make for excellent parents and can even adopt parentless pigeons to raise them as their own.
Do you want to know the best part? Breeding and raising these pigeons is super easy!
They don’t require special accommodation, and their quiet nature makes them easy-going birds for new and seasoned breeders. Learn everything about this breed of pigeons here!
Old German Owl Pigeon Profile
| Name | Old German Owl Pigeon |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Columba livia domestica |
| Common Names: | Altdeutsches Mövchen Mövchen (“Little Gull”) |
| Origin: | Germany |
| Lifespan: | 7-10 years |
| Temperament: | Calm and quiet |
| Behavior: | Easy-going, shy |
| Breeding and Maintenance: | Easy |
| Common or Popular Varieties: | Multiple colors |
The Old German Owl is a type of fancy pigeon. This pigeon is small to medium, can be in many colors, and is suitable for exhibition, show, and ornamental purposes.
Due to their calm nature, this breed of pigeon is also a good pet.
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History And Origins of Old German Owl Pigeon
Originally, the “old” German Owl was a breed of pigeons just discovered during the nineteenth century. However, the breed suffered changes after crosses between Oriental Frills and Anatolian Owls around 1870.
This is what led to the Old German Owl pigeons we know today. The initial conception of the pigeon was the Little Gull. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until 1956 that the pigeon got recognized in Germany and until 1960 in the rest of Europe.
Physical Characteristics And Features
The Old German Owl pigeon has many features that make it stand out from other birds. Here’s how you can recognize it.
Body Structure, Size, and Weight
The Old German Owl pigeon is a bird of average size that can be up to 25cm high and weigh between 280 and 360 grams. This pigeon has a nearly round head featuring an arched forehead and a full shell crest.
Likewise, the eyes are large with a light cere, a medium-sized beak, and a short neck. On the midsection, the pigeons have broad breasts and shoulders. The feathers remain tight to the body, and the tail is short.
These pigeons don’t have feathers on their feet and toes.
Common Variation
The Old German Owl has three variations commonly bred for show purposes. First, you have the shield-marked, the tail-marked, and the self-colored pigeons.
These variations have their unique color. While the self-colored pigeon can be red or white, the other two varieties can be more than that.
Currently, the most common Old German Owl pigeon color is the blue bar, but some others can be brown and black, to name just a few.
Behavior And Traits of Old German Owl Pigeon
These pigeons are cute, but do they behave? Let’s evaluate why the Old German Owl pigeons are some of the best and most satisfying birds to raise.
Common Personality Traits
Old German Owl pigeons can have diverse personalities, but most of them are shy and quiet. Some recommend keeping these birds with others that share a similar personality.
The reasoning is that an Old German Owl pigeon usually copies what other pigeons do, allowing them to adapt well.
This action will also prevent the birds from panicking or feeling nervous if they see other breeds acting that way.
Overall, the Old German Owl pigeon is easy-going and fun to raise. For this reason, the breed is good for learning tricks and ornamental purposes.
Diet
The ideal diet for Old German Owl pigeons should include commercial dove and pigeon mix, a combination of seed and cereal. Legumes are also good food for these birds.
You can complement the diet by adding supplements like greens to provide minerals, vitamins, and calcium. Lastly, consider providing grit and gravel to ensure the pigeons grow healthy.
Temperament
The temperament of an Old German Owl pigeon is calm and tame. It’s a friendly bird boosting a cheerful demeanor, making it fun and satisfying to raise this breed.
Also, they have excellent parenthood skills and can make for good foster parents.
Flight
The Old German Owl Pigeons have incredible flight ability and can perform acrobatics and tricks mid-flight. These tricks could be dips or twirling, usually in highly visual circle patterns.
Breeding
These pigeons have a regular mating procedure. The male and female create a bond for life, from which the female usually produces two-egg clutches per breeding.
Then, it takes a couple of weeks for the eggs to hatch.
Lifespan
An Old German Owl Pigeon can live between 7 to 10 years on average. If you care for the pigeon and provide accommodations like a suitable environment, the bird will live to the end of that time range and have a natural death.
Breeding And Maintenance
Old German Owl pigeons are not a hassle by all means. Therefore, these birds will not require excessive grooming or specific maintenance.
However, you do have to keep in mind a few things to increase your likelihood of breeding and raising them successfully.
Some Tips and Considerations for Successful Breeding
- These pigeons are great foster parents, but you must consider a few things. Primarily, you don’t want to make them foster many baby pigeons per year. This situation will cause them stress.
- Similarly, you don’t want these pigeons to breed over three times per year to avoid stress.
- You won’t always get the expected coloring. Sometimes, the offspring may have darker colors. This situation may occur, but it’s still very uncommon.
Feeding and Housing Requirements
Consider keeping the Old German Owl pigeons in an aviary. This housing is the most suitable for them, especially if you make it big enough to allow free flight pigeons with a dovecote.
Again, consider keeping the pigeons with other calm and quiet birds to ensure a comfortable environment. Feeding this breed of pigeons is also a breeze.
Provide food by the morning and night, and remove the excess food if you notice it’s excessive. Likewise, provide water constantly to guarantee the birds get hydrated and use it to wash themselves.
Safety Is Important!
Another thing to consider is the safety of the pigeons. If you set up an aviary or cage, make sure there’s enough ventilation and separation from potential predators.
Final Word
As far as birds go, the Old German Owl pigeon is one of the easiest and most satisfying to raise.
Their docile personality, plus their ability to get along with other birds, make them unique birds for show purposes or as pets. If you wonder if these birds are worth the while, the answer is absolutely yes!
And that’s it for our breakdown on one of the world’s most beautiful pigeons!
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Image Credits:
- https://www.instagram.com/twyla.the.pidge/
- https://www.instagram.com/disasterflock/
- https://www.instagram.com/cumulusdancerz/
- https://www.instagram.com/yucabirb/