Pigeon lovers converge to witness a rare show

National Pigeon Show features 400 birds of 35 breeds

The Hungarian Giant House, a rare pigeon breed, on display at the International Pigeon Show in the city.

From the rather empty look of the Corporation Jubilee Hall at Thali in Kozhikode, no one could guess it was hosting a national-level competition.

This is where one found for two days the best pigeon breeds that competed for top spots in each category.

The National Pigeon Show 2017, organised by Noble Pigeon Association, featured around 400 pigeons of around 35 different breeds by 30 breeders from across the country.

The pigeon’s competition was a prestigious affair as far as breeders were concerned. Pigeons of each breed were assessed minutely based on their colour, shape, size, posture, and grooming. The prices of winners went up by 10 times the original in just a matter of seconds. The criteria for selecting winners were stipulated by an international agency and a seven-member judging panel consisting of six judges from Bahrain and one from India.

“Kerala is the biggest market for ornamental pigeons in the country. The State has the largest number of pigeon breeders, and people from across the country flock to Kerala in search of the best pigeon breeds,” said Mohammed Jameem, president of Noble Pigeon Association.

The show that concluded on Wednesday featured native as well as foreign breeds like the Hungarian Giant House, Norwich Cropper, English Fantail, Frill Back, Mokee, Capuchine, Satinette, Chinese Owl, Saxon Fairy Swallow, Short Face, German Beauty Homer, Bokhara Trumpeter, English Carrier, Moor head, Spanish Choera, and Jacobin.