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Iranian pigeons are a domestic pigeon breed from Iran. Its homeland is three large cities of the country: Tehran, Qom and Kashan. Iranians have been raising pigeons since time immemorial to compete in endurance and beauty of flight. In Europe, the Iranian pigeon is known as the Persian highland pigeon.
History of Iranian fighting pigeons
The ancestors of the first Iranian large fighting pigeons lived in Persia, on whose territory modern Iran is located. They began to be bred several thousand years BC. e. Wealthy people and rulers of the country were engaged in pigeon farming.
Pigeon sport - competitions for the endurance and quality of flight of pigeons - originated in the city of Kashan, and then spread throughout the world. In ancient times, competitions were held in the spring, and the number of participants was small (up to 10 birds). Nowadays, hundreds of pigeons take part in demonstration performances. For judges, not only the flight is important, but also the appearance of the participants.
Pigeon farming is an ancient Iranian tradition that is still alive today. All over the country you can find dovecotes, some of which resemble small palaces. People use the droppings of hundreds of pigeons to fertilize marginal Iranian lands. The occupation of breeding these birds is considered sacred; they are kept not only in rural areas, but also in cities.In any region of the country you can find specialized stores selling Iranian fighting pigeons of local selection. The owners of these establishments, called Saleh, are wealthy and respected people.
A distinctive feature of pigeon breeding in Iran is that there is no generally accepted standard for fighting pigeons. They are not exhibited to experts to evaluate their exterior; only the endurance and beauty of the birds’ flight matters. Selection is carried out only in this direction. Unlike Iranian pigeon breeders, Russian fanciers are improving the breed in several directions at once - improving appearance and flight qualities.
Appearance
Iranian fighting pigeons are characterized as proud, strong, harmoniously built birds. At the exhibition, much attention is paid to the color, size and shape of the body, the flight of pigeons and the ability to return to their place are assessed.
The body length of Iranians is measured from the beak to the tip of the tail, it must be at least 34 cm and up to 36 cm. If a forelock grows on the elongated head, the variety is called “bearded”. For forelock Iranian pigeons, a pure white color with a dyed trimmed beard and the back of the forelock is white is desirable.
Birds can have a smooth head; this variety is also called “headed”. The color or pattern for the wingless is pure white, with a trimmed head. The characteristic color of the head is red, black, yellow and various intermediate options.
Other important characteristics of Iranian high-flyers:
- black or dark brown eyes;
- thin beak from 2.4 to 2.6 cm long;
- slightly convex chest;
- slightly elongated curved neck;
- long wings meet at the tail;
- bell-shaped plumage on the legs, up to 3 cm long, toes bare;
- legs of medium length.
Hamadan fighting pigeons of Iran are distinguished by long feathering on their legs. It prevents birds from moving quickly and freely on the ground, but in the sky they have no equal. The color of such pigeons is varied - there are individuals with a colored tail, colored sides and single-colored ones.
Flight
During the flight of the Iranian fighting pigeons in the video, one is amazed by the beauty of the performance. These birds are classified as flying breeds; they have their own style of “dancing” in the sky. Due to the characteristic flapping of their wings in the air, pigeons are called fighting pigeons; they fly up, doing somersaults through their tail. The strongest representatives of the pack try to stand out and fly as high as possible to show all their talents. Flight is characterized by a slower wing beat than other breeds, the ability to hover in the air and perform somersaults.
Iranians have a strong, flexible skeleton. Powerful wings and a streamlined body make it possible to perform flips in the air. A special respiratory system allows them to receive more oxygen, and makes the birds incredibly hardy. Pigeon breeders claim that Iranian slaughterers can spend up to 12 hours a day in the air. They fly very high, sometimes out of sight.
Iranian pigeons catch air currents and can soar and tumble at heights for hours. They are wind-resistant and cope well with turbulent flows. Birds have excellent visual memory, which helps them remember landscapes and landmarks.Thanks to ultraviolet vision, birds can see the ground through clouds.
Varieties of Iranian pigeons
There are a large number of fighting Iranian pigeons in Iran, in addition to the heady and tickled varieties. Any city can boast of its unique view. But they all have similar features that are characteristic of the entire Persian region. Varieties of Iranian pigeons:
- Tehran high flyers most popular among pigeon breeders. They have a large wingspan, reaching 70 cm in some individuals. They stand out among their Iranian counterparts with a rounded head shape and a short, strong beak. The plumage can be of different colors - post der, post halder, dest peri.
- Hamadan Cosmachi They are one of the most beautiful pigeon breeds. the plumage on the legs of these birds can reach 20 cm. This oldest Iranian variety of pigeons is represented by several breeding lines, among the representatives of which there are differences in the colors of the plumage, the length of the beak, and decorations on the head. The advantages of the Hamadan Cosmachi include excellent flight qualities; they can spend up to 14 hours in the sky. In combat, they are significantly superior to bare-footed breeds.
- Tibriz pigeons or Iranian high-flying pigeons are a species common in the western part of Iran. Birds are characterized by an elongated body and an elongated head. The appearance is similar to the Baku fighting pigeons; most likely, the breeds have common ancestors. The purity of the color is of great importance for this variety; it must be perfectly even without blots.
Combat Characteristics
When a bird takes off into the sky, it beats the air with its wings; the nature of such a fight varies. It must be clearly audible to people standing on the ground, this is the value of the breed. Types of combat:
- corkscrew – circling in a spiral while simultaneously playing with the wings; to improve flight, training is required at least 2 times a week;
- pillar – take off from the ground in a strictly vertical direction with small circles; during the flight the bird makes characteristic sounds, and after gaining height it somersaults over its head;
- butterfly game – characterized by frequent flapping of wings, desire for solitary flights.
It gives great pleasure to watch the flight of Iranian white fighting pigeons in the sky. You can witness this spectacle at exhibitions and competitions or when visiting pigeon farms. During the competition, judges evaluate strong and high-altitude combat, flight duration in different styles.
Content recommendations
The dovecote is protected from drafts and dampness. Frosts are not scary for birds, so there is no need for individual heating - healthy birds can tolerate air temperatures dropping to -40 °C. The room for pigeons is spacious, protected from the penetration of cats and rats. To save time on cleaning, floors are made with slats. In each dovecote, perches and nesting compartments are built, and feeders and drinking bowls are placed on the floor.
Pigeons should always have clean water and food.They use special feeders and drinkers with canopies on top that prevent contamination of the contents. Flying breeds should not be fed heavy food during the rut. Healthy birds should be half-starved.
Pigeons are fed different grains:
- lentils or peas (a source of protein);
- wheat and millet (carbohydrates for energy);
- flax seeds (contain fats);
- anise seeds (delicacy).
The grain mixture may also include the following cereals:
- oats;
- barley;
- corn;
- rice;
- sunflower seeds.
Pigeons are given food 2 times a day strictly according to schedule, at 6.00 or 9.00 and 17.00. In addition to grain, mineral supplements are needed - shell rock, purified sand and liquid or tablet vitamins. While the chicks are being fed, food is given 3 times a day - morning, afternoon and evening, at the same time. In winter, birds also need three feedings a day.
The amount of feed per day is calculated based on the number of livestock and the life period of the birds:
- One young bird needs about 40 g of grain mixture per day;
- during molting they give 50 g of grain for each individual;
- During the period of egg laying and breeding, each pigeon is given 60 g of cereal crops.
In Iran, preparation for flying competitions begins 50 days before the due date. During this time, the birds molt and gain the required shape. Pigeons are not driven around during molting; they are given varied, high-quality food with a high protein content. Active training begins a week before the competition.
If birds are given good care - high-quality food, clean water, they will live a long time.We also need vaccinations, maintaining cleanliness in dovecotes, and preventing common avian diseases. The average lifespan of a healthy pigeon is 10 years, some live up to 15.
Conclusion
Iranian pigeons are incredibly hardy and smart. The best representatives of the species are not inferior in intelligence to a 3-year-old child. The beauty of the flight of fighting pigeons is amazing. Birds are bred in Russia not only for their flight qualities, but also for their appearance. For Iranian high-flyers, there is a strict standard describing color, proportions and body size. Iranian pigeons are unpretentious in their maintenance; they require many hours of training before competitions and exhibitions. For the health of pigeons, it is important to maintain regular feeding, maintain cleanliness in the dovecote and prevent avian diseases.
