English Barb
The English Barb is one of the classic wattle pigeons, a fancy breed of domestic rock dove developed in Britain from old Barb and related short-faced stock. Its fleshy eye ceres and beak wattle become more pronounced as the bird matures, giving adults a heavy-headed look despite a relatively compact body. English Barbs were well established in early pigeon fancy literature, and show birds are judged on head shape, eye-cere development, beak setting, body balance, and smooth feather condition.
English Barbs are kept mainly for exhibition, not for distance flying. Their carunculated skin benefits from a clean, dry loft because dirt and moisture can collect around the face, and older birds should be watched for any loss of clear vision. Breeding takes patience, since the best head properties may not be obvious in very young birds. Sensible breeders avoid exaggeration that interferes with feeding or health, while still selecting the broad head, strong eye cere, and compact type that define the breed.
Colors: Almond, Ash Red, Bar, Barless, Black, Blue, Brown, Checker, Dilute, Dun, Grizzle, Indigo, Mottle, Opal, Pied, Recessive Red, Red, Silver, Splash, Spread, White, Yellow
