Jacobin Pigeon

The Jacobin is one of many very old domestic pigeon breeds. Undisputed knowledge of its origin simply does not exist. Some accounts place the origin of the breed in India, while others say Cyprus. What can be established is that by the 16th century, Jacobins had arrived in Europe to stay. The Jacobin received its European name because of the hood of feathers enveloping the back and both sides of its head. This hood resembles the cap on garments worn by the Jacobin order of monks. For others, Jacobins bring back memories, not of monks, but rather of women with feathery boas draped about their necks. It is an excellent exhibition breed, attracting attention everywhere it is shown. The Jacobin is bred throughout the world, with the nucleus of breeders located in Germany and England. Queen Victoria prized the Jacobins above all other varieties and made a point of obtaining outstanding specimens from time to time to improve her own birds.  She did not compete in shows, but Jacobin fanciers sent some of their best birds to her lofts and frequently received from her even better individuals, produced under the Queen's loving supervision. Years ago it was regarded as rather small, with the rule being, the smaller, the better. Today's bird is rather of medium size, but thin, and looks considerably larger than it really is, owing to its hood feathering, and its long length of flight feathers and tail. The most remarkable feature of the Jacobin is its extremely ornate feather adornment starting at the base of the neck and forming a chain going beyond the top of the head. Viewed from the side, the feathers grow out in all directions from the neck, forming what is called a rosette. This chain and rosette compose the hood that completely engulfs the top and sides of the head, covering the bird's face from every angle except directly from the front. The more pronounced the hood and chain, the higher the quality of the specimen.