23 Photos That Showcase The World's Most Beautiful Doves And Pigeons

I’ve never thought of pigeons as anything more than fairly dull and ubiquitous creatures that leave a lot of poop behind. But some people are really into these creatures – and they come in a variety of shapes and colors, partly because they may be one of the first domesticated birds. In fact, people have been breeding (and cross-breeding) them for hundreds of years. There are even show pigeons.

Lahore pigeon: These fancy pigeons were originally bred in Shiraz, Iran before being imported into Germany in the late 19th century. By the 1960s, they were being bred around the world. Believe it or not, they were originally bred for their meat, despite being an ornamental variety, but now they are appreciated for their plumage and the docile nature, which makes them gentle pets.