King pigeon

King
	A pair of white Kings
Conservation status	Common
Country of origin	United States
Classification
Australian Breed Group	Utility Group9
US Breed Group	Utility
EE Breed Group	Hen Pigeons
	Pigeon; Columba livia;

The King pigeon is a breed of pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding primarily as a utility breed.

Harry Baker, created the first Kings much more through tenacious, planned, and skillful breeding than serendipity. What Harry needed was a bird that was both beautiful and productive. Productive at this time meant to be eaten. ^{[clarification needed]} Kings along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants from the rock dove (Columba livia).

The breed is known for its large size and suitability for squab production.

Show Kings

The breed also has a variety bred for exhibition purposes at pigeon shows. It is called the Show King to distinguish it from the purely utility variety. The American Pigeon Journal even devoted special issues to the Show King for August 1938, June 1959, January 1964, and November 1970. The Show King is dual purpose and can be used for squab raising.

History

The King is a dual purpose breed that originated in the United States. They were developed during the 1890s by crossing four older varieties: the Duchess for grace; the Homer for alertness; the Maltese for compactness and style; and the Runt for body and size.

Diet

Roles with humans

Food

King pigeon meat is popular in cuisines of parts of China, North Africa, North America, and some European countries.

Gallery

Red grizzle NPA National 2026
White mottled NPA National 2026
Red check NPA National 2026
Blue bar King Pigeon
black tigered King
White King
White King pigeon
Yellow King
Red King
Blue Bar King

References

↑ Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0-85390-013-2.
↑ John Verburg (February 16, 1996). "pigeoncote show page". Pigeoncote.com. John Verburg. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
1 2 Seymour, Rev. Colin (Ed)(2006) Australian Fancy Pigeons National Book of Standards.
↑ Levi, Wendell (1965). Encyclopedia of Pigeon Breeds. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. p. 202. ISBN 0-910876-02-9.
↑ Kokosyzński, D. (2020) Carcass Characteristics, Physicochemical Properties, and Texture and Microstructure of the Meat and Internal Organs of Carrier and King Pigeons.

External links

[Levi-1] Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN 0-85390-013-2.

[2] John Verburg (February 16, 1996). "pigeoncote show page". Pigeoncote.com. John Verburg. Retrieved February 18, 2026.

[Seymour-3] 1 2 Seymour, Rev. Colin (Ed)(2006) Australian Fancy Pigeons National Book of Standards.

[EPB-4] Levi, Wendell (1965). Encyclopedia of Pigeon Breeds. Sumter, S.C.: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. p. 202. ISBN 0-910876-02-9.

[Carcass-5] Kokosyzński, D. (2020) Carcass Characteristics, Physicochemical Properties, and Texture and Microstructure of the Meat and Internal Organs of Carrier and King Pigeons.