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Fantail Pigeons: The Elegant Avian Beauties

Fantail pigeons are among the most fancy pigeon breeds. Their unique fan-shaped tails make them truly special. These beauties have been developed through selective breeding in many countries. Fantail pigeons are very popular competitors in exhibitions, judged on their form, tail spread, posture, and overall health.    

The Uniqueness of Fantail Pigeons

  1. Tail Structure

The most distinctive feature of the fantail pigeon is its tail. Fantail Pigeons have more than double tail feathers as compared to other pigeons. Fantails boast between 30 to 40 feathers and form a semicircle or full circle.

  1. Posture

Fantail pigeons often hold their heads and necks in a backward-tilted pose to balance the weight. This gives them a lovely appearance.

  1. Varieties and Colors

Fantail pigeons come in several varieties, including:

  • Indian Fantails – Larger birds with more prominent feathering, especially on the feet (called muffs).
  • English Fantails – Known for their tight feather formation and upright posture.
  • Silky Fantails – These have soft, lace-like tail feathers.
  • American Fantails – The most common in the U.S., with a balance of show traits and docile behavior.

Color-wise, fantails can be white, black, blue, brown, red, pied, or any combination thereof.  

Housing and Care

While fantail pigeons are hardy birds, their ornate features require some special care.

  1. Housing Requirements

Fantail Pigeons need clean, spacious cages; Dirty place can damage their tail feathers. Provide at least 4 square feet per bird to move around.

  1. Feeding

Fantail pigeons thrive on a diet of:

  • High-quality pigeon grain mix
  • Fresh greens (lettuce, spinach)
  • Grit and minerals
  • Occasional fruits like apple slices or berries (in moderation)

Always provide clean, fresh water for drinking and also for bathing.

  1. Grooming and Hygiene

Fantail Pigeons need regular inspection to ensure their feathers aren’t getting damaged. A shallow birdbath or misting can help them keep their plumage in top shape.

Breeding Fantail Pigeons

  • Pair Selection: Choose birds with complementary features to maintain or improve desired traits.
  • Nesting: Provide nesting boxes and soft materials. Fantails often make attentive parents.
  • Chick Care: The chicks (squabs) are typically fed “pigeon milk” (a secretion from the parents’ crop) for the first few days. Once fledged, they can start eating grains and soft food. 

Fantails are relatively easy to breed, but their ornamental features can complicate things slightly. Some breeders report that fantails, due to their tail structure, may have trouble incubating eggs properly. In such cases, surrogate parent pigeons may be used.

Lifespan and Health

Fantail pigeons are healthy birds. Regular grooming and quality nutrition are necessary for health. They can live 10 to 15 years, and sometimes even longer.

However, they can be prone to:

  • Feather Mites
  • Foot Problems
  • Obesity