Birds are as important as human beings and other animals in the world. According to studies, birds have almost 10,000 species. Likewise, the number of birds discovered ranges from 50 to 430 billion, and all of these birds are with different sizes, shapes, and features. The pigeon is also a part of them with over 300 species. If we talk about unique pigeons, an individual species of pigeon is the old German owl pigeon. This write-up will argue about this bird, and will provide you with complete information about this particular breed, and you will learn about its traits, appearances, uses, and more. We will share a few fun facts about these birds.
A small piece of information about the old German owl pigeon
The Old German Owl Pigeon is an interesting and unique pigeon. It’s known for being calm and relaxed, which makes it a wonderful pet and show pigeon due to its fascinating and graceful appearance. This pigeon comes from Germany and belongs to the “Owl Pigeons” group in Europe and the “fancy” group in the United States. Also called the Altdeutsches Mövchen, it’s a special kind of pigeon that started in Germany and is the ancestor of the short-faced German Shield Owls.
Are Old German Owl pigeons uncommon?
The German Owl was long featured in the Encyclopedia of Pigeon Standards published by the National Pigeon Association, but it lost favor and is now extremely rare in the US. Despite the shield-marked variant being presented for at least the past 40 years, it is currently regaining tremendous popularity.
Origin of the old German owl pigeon
The breed came into being in Germany in 1956, but the official standard wasn’t adopted until 1960, and it wasn’t accepted until 1999 that the National Pigeon Association of America accepted it. It was the first pigeon type, designated as a “Little Gull” (Mövchen) in Germany because of its similarity to a gull. Due to their unique style and appearance among pigeons, Old German Owl Pigeons are widely available in their native Germany and are available worldwide for display.
Germany imported Oriental Frills and Anatolian owls around 1870 when the pigeon-gathering culture began to spread to other regions of Europe. The Old German Owl Pigeon variant today most likely resulted from crossbreeding efforts between those two types.
The Appearance
These birds have a little rose-closing but complete shell crest above their heads. Their eyes are big, active, and bright. It is a light and delicate pet bird. Moreover, they have a short, stocky neck that is carried high, leans slightly back, and is upright. A well-defined frill and a small dewlap are seen on the throat.
Additionally, these Old German Owl pigeons have medium-length and wide beaks that are flesh-colored and broad. They have a remarkable forehead. Their wattles are small and not very developed. These pigeons boast large, well-rounded chests that stick out prominently. Their feathers are robust, protecting their bodies from strong winds, covering their backs, and reaching all the way to their tails.
Their back starts broad at the shoulders but narrows down and slopes toward the tail. Owners prefer to keep their tails short and held tightly together. These pigeons have short legs, and their shanks are hardly noticeable.
Their toes and feet are always feather-free. The feathers on their bodies are well-groomed and closely attached. Old German Owl Pigeons come in primary colors and patterns such as ash red, blue, brown, recessive red, checks, spreads, bars in black, red, brown, and white, along with lighter variations of these base colors. These pigeons are considered small to medium-sized, with an average height of around 25 cm for adult birds. The typical adult weight of the Old German Owl pigeon ranges from 280 to 360 grams.
The characteristics of this pigeon
In normal situations, the Old German Owl Pigeon is a relatively quiet and calm bird. Some owner claim them to be frequently gentle and shy birds. Having several Old German Owl Pigeons can be beneficial due to their tendency to imitate the behavior of other birds. This presence of multiple Old German Owls can help other pigeons in the group relax and return to their usual state more swiftly.
Likewise, it’s a good idea to keep Old German Owl Pigeons close to other calm pigeon breeds to prevent them from getting excessively agitated. This practice ensures that your birds remain composed during performances and generally stay relaxed. Their natural peaceful demeanor makes them ideal as both companion pets and show pigeons.
Do Old German Owl Pigeons have any unique vocalizations?
Old German Owl Pigeons make gentle cooing sounds that can vary in how they sound. Some people find these sounds pleasant.
Do these pigeons get sick easily?
By nature, they are stronger than other pigeons and do not adapt to health issues easily. But they still have the chance to get ill and get all the diseases. Taking proper care of their diet is helpful for them to maintain good health. Another point that people do not act upon is that fresh water is compulsory. Water that is not fresh plays a significant role in disturbing health.
Are Old German Owl Pigeons suitable as pets?
The Old German Owl Pigeon makes a great pet. Because of their calm and docile temperament, they are good for beginning bird enthusiasts. They lend charm to any aviary with their alluring beauty and serene disposition.
Temptation and behavior
The owl pigeon possesses some unique traits. It tends to be rather obstinate, preferring to follow its own path and resisting yielding to others. This bird often seeks approval and admiration from those around it, displaying a self-centered nature. It consistently strives to excel in various situations. Owl pigeons make excellent pets due to their peaceful nature, and they form permanent pairs that should be kept together.
For exhibition purposes, owners purchase this bird, which they then collect and take care of as a hobby. Because they are a “fancy breed,” Old German Owl Pigeons, people keep them as pets for display and decorative purposes. They make excellent companions and performers because of their peaceful disposition.
Also Read: Albino Pigeon: A rare and beautiful pigeon breed
The breeding
You will encounter the same obstacles and difficulties breeding this type as the rest of the species. The Old German Owl Pigeon will nurture its chick and other foster kids because of possessing some qualities which make it a good parent. The pigeons won’t be able to handle caring for all the chicks. So, please do not put them in foster care too frequently or for too long. For the same reasons, the pigeons should only reproduce three times a year, as doing so will stress them out.
When breeding such pigeon with another, you can get results according to your expectations. However, there may be a few unexpected coloring outcomes along the way, such as deeper colors than you anticipated or having different colored progeny. It is because the Old German Owl Pigeon may have genetic color variations. However, this is not very frequent.
Are they good fliers?
Never keep your old German owl pigeon as the first choice for flying purposes because it does not dare to win a race. Young flying pigeons are active, perform various experiments, and try some fascinating, theoretically-trainable flying tricks. They are average fliers, so try to provide them a big space for practice because they can escape predators when not in captivation. Most of the time, these pigeons can save your investment if they get a specific space out of the experimental zone.
Care and reproduction
The Old German Owl is best kept in a large aviary, but it is also a great option for a free-flight bird kept in a dovecote. Professional dove and pigeon mixes that often contain seed, grain, and legumes can be their primary food source. Grass high in calcium, minerals, and vitamins is a must. Also needed are sand and gravel. They breed fairly easily, and because of their long beaks, they can feed their young perfectly well. They are wonderful parents.
Can I keep Old German Owl Pigeons in an urban environment?
Old German Owl Pigeons can adapt to urban environments if provided with a suitable loft or enclosure. However, it’s essential to check local regulations and ordinances regarding pigeon keeping, as some urban areas may have restrictions.
5 facts about the old German owl pigeon
- Do you know an old German owl pigeon has a great life span and can live up to 25 years? Also, they are great egg layers. Most of them lay eggs, from one to three eggs a week.
- Having adequate food in the house is crucial since it maintains life and health. When getting fed, the owl pigeon can be a good performer. He won’t require a lot of humans to feed him, but he will require a lot of roosting space.
- If you have remaining used materials in your living area, old German owl pigeons like to help you collect this material, which includes pallets, scrap wood, and old wires. He can collect them from garbage and other sources.
- When creating sculptures for you and your children, the Old German Owl Pigeon can greatly assist. He will create a sculpture of one of his favorite characters out of leftover wood.
- Owl Pigeon listens well and doesn’t frequently voice his complaints. He doesn’t have many health issues and has no concerns about challenging situations.
Conclusion
An important species in our world is the Old German Owl Pigeon. They are unusual birds with distinctive personalities. Humans made them, but they originated in Germany many years ago. Your interest in learning about the Old German Owl Pigeon is hopefully piqued, and you now understand why you should never undervalue the might of the owl family. I appreciate you reading this content.
