English Trumpeter Pigeon: Origin, Appearance, Behavior, Care, And More
The English trumpeter is one of the most popular pigeon breeds in the USA. It’s common in exhibitions and shows in the USA as well as in other parts of the world. Its most distinctive feature is the large muffs covering its feet—these grow so big that they almost become similar to the size of the bird’s flight feathers.
This article covers more details about the English Trumpeter pigeon breed. You’ll learn more about its history and original physical appearance and disinvite features, behavior and temperament, suitability as pets, and how to take proper care of them in terms of housing, proper diet, healthcare, and more.
English Trumpeter Pigeon Quick Facts:
| Scientific name | Columba livia domestica |
| Other names | None |
| Breed name | English Trumpeter |
| Origin | United States |
| Breed purpose | Exhibition, ornamental, pets |
| Size | Small to Medium |
| Weight | 230 to 380 grams |
| Flying ability | Good |
| Cost | $100 to $300 |
| Lifespan | Around 5 to 7 years |
Origin and history
Though the origin of the English Trumpeter is in England (hence its name) around1600s, the modern breed we know today was developed in America.
It’s therefore safe that its current name is misleading as the origin of this bird is the United States.
(Click this link to learn more about the history of trumpeter pigeons in general).
This bird is highly popular in its native region of the United States. Facebook groups like this and this show the many pigeon fanciers available in the US alone.
Like other domesticated pigeon breeds, this fancy breed was developed over many years of selective breeding and is a descendant of the rock dove.
As a fancy pigeon, this breed is primarily used for ornamental and exhibition purposes.
Since this is a domesticated pigeon, it can now be found in most parts of the world.
These birds are named trumpeters due to the unique vocalizations they make.
Here’s an awesome video showing the most common color and markings for English trumpeter pigeons
Video:
Physical appearance
The typical English trumpeter is small to medium-sized, weighing approx. 230 to 380 grams and approximately 11 inches long.
Since this is a fancy pigeon breed, it goes without saying that it has an overall elegant appearance.
It’s marked by distinct features such as a crest on its head which appears cape-like while staying thrown back to expose the pigeon’s face.
But the most distinctive feature that makes this bird stand out is the large muffs on its feet. These can grow to become as large as the bird’s flight feathers.
As it’s common with all domesticated breeds, the English trumpeter is available in a wide variety of colors. These are usually grouped into 3 categories namely self, splash, and baldhead.
Behavior
The English trumpeter is known for its calm and gentle temperament, which makes it great for keeping as a pet.
Besides, it’s sociable and friendly and can coexist peacefully with other pigeons without any fights. They also show no territorial behavior, so they can live peacefully with other birds.
These birds are not aggressive toward their owner. In fact, they appreciate regular interaction and handling to help keep them tame.
Another trait of this bird is unique vocalizations. They have a unique cooing that resembles drum-like sound (with rising and falling tones). It comes out as a soft and melodious sound that’s pleasing to your ears.
However, these birds aren’t good flyers due to the many large feathers covering their feet and hock.
These greatly limit its aerodynamic capabilities, so you shouldn’t expect the bird to fly too much, even when inside its loft.
Diet
A balanced diet for English Trumpeter should be comprised of a mix of grains and seeds such as corn, barley, millet, wheat, etc.
These can be easily acquired commercially. Most pet stores sell pigeon mixes specially formulated for the birds or you can mix the seeds for your birds.
Additionally, you’ll need to provide these pigeons with fresh fruits and veggies to help ensure they get all the essential minerals and vitamins in their bodies
And make sure you thoroughly wash the fruits/veggies and remove any harmful seeds before giving them to your birds.
English trumpeters also like drinking water a lot, so you should ensure you provide them with fresh, clean water every day.
Avoid feeding your trumpeter human food, or simply foods that contain high amounts of fat, sugar, salt, etc. as they can lead to health comp0lications in their bodies
Also, avoid overfeeding your pigeons with one type of food, e.g. high-fat seeds, as they can lead to obesity and other health issues.
English trumpeters as pets
English trumpeters will also make great pets due to their good temperament as well as their unique and attractive appearance. The domesticated pigeon is also low maintenance and easy to care for.
If you wish to keep English trumpeter pigeon as a pet, then you should be able to meet all its special care requirements.
You should provide it with suitable living conditions. Make sure the birds live in a spacious loft that allows them to move around and exercise. The housing should be well-ventilated, safe from elements and predators, and regularly cleaned.
Proper nutrition is also important. The perfect diet for the birds should include seeds, grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables (refer to our previous section for more info). Clean and fresh water is also part of this bird’s daily diet.
Regular interaction and handling are also recommended for these fancy pigeons as they’re generally friendly and sociable in nature. This will help keep them from getting stressed or fearful.
Regular vet invitations are also recommended for these birds. This helps keep them healthy and free from common pigeon illnesses that may turn fatal and cost their lives.
Breeding
Breeding of English trumpeters is possible and can be a rewarding experience when you know how to do it correctly.
Generally, you can ensure successful breeding by providing your birds with suitable nesting sites, balanced diet, and overall clean living space to eliminate potential health risks.
You should also carefully select the mating pair to ensure you end up with chicks with your desirable traits.
During the incubation, you should avoid disturbing the birds to increase the chances of successful hatching results.
And after the eggs get hatched, you ought to take good care of the young pigeons to ensure their survival and overall health and well-being.
Monitor their feeding, growth, and development. Provide them with a warm and comfy environment, and ensure proper vet care to keep them healthy.
Watch the video below for more helpful breeding tips from a long-time English trumpeter breeder
Video:
English trumpeter price
The average cost of English trumpeter is around $100 to $300 per bird. The price varies depending on a variety of factors including the quality of the bird, your location, age, and the breeder.
High-quality birds with desirable show traits such as quality feathers, loud and clear vocalizations, well-proportioned body, etc., usually command high prices.
If this bird is rare in your location and the demand is high, then you may also be required to pay more.
Younger birds may be a bit cheaper compared to their adults.
Overall, it’s always advisable to ensure you buy your pigeons from a reputable breed to ensure you get a good quality and healthy bird at a fair price tag.
Lifespan
English trumpeter’s life expectancy is around 5 to 7 years, though some birds can go up to 10 years with proper care and attention. The bird’s longevity can be influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, diet, living conditions/environment, etc.
You can help extend the lifespan of your bird by providing it with suitable living conditions, a balanced diet, and proper healthcare to keep away various health issues that might reduce the bird’s lifespan.
FAQs:
The bird is a poor flier due to the feathers covering its hock and feet which can grow quite long (around 8 to 10 inches long—around the same size as its flight feathers). For this reason, the bird is generally raised for shows/exhibitions and not as a flying bird.
Final Verdict
English Trumpeter pigeon is one of the USA’s finest. It’s an attractive bird and excellent for ornamental and exhibition purposes. Some of its most unique features include large muffs, a tuft crest, and an overall beautiful body appearance that comes in a variety of colors.
The bird’s also calm and gentle nature means you can keep it as a pet. However, proper care is required when keeping these birds as pets. You should provide them with a suitable living environment, balanced diet, and regular vet visitations for the sake of their health and wellbeing.
