Old German Owl

Family: Columbidae

Distribution:
   The "old" German Owl was definitely known of in the nineteenth century, but around 1870 Oriental Frills and Anatolian Owls were imported into Germany. Crosses with these breeds and other varieties altered the head properties of the German Owl and there became a short-beaked breed. In about 1894 fanciers developed a standard for this new variety and the number of the original "old" German Owls was greatly diminished. It was not until 1956 that there was an active re-establishing of the original breed. Today it is again popular and is shown throughout Germany.
   The German Owl has been known in the United States for many years and its standard is listed in the National Pigeon Association's Encyclopedia of Pigeon Standards. This has led many American breeders to believe that the German Owl is the older breed and that the Old German Owl is a new breed, when, in fact, the Old German Owl really is older.

Description:

Blue White Bar Shield Bred by Gary Miller Photo Courtesy: Gary Miller	The Old German Owl is somewhat of a "new" old breed. The German Owl has been is listed in the National Pigeon Association's Encyclopedia of Pigeon Standards for many years but fell out of popularity, becoming very rare in the United States. Today it is again becoming very popular, with the shield-marked variety having been shown for at least the last 40 years. There are basically three varieties of Old German Owl that are developed for showing, the shield-marked, the tail-marked, and the self-colored. Both marked varieties come in a wide array of colors, and self-colored birds come in red or white. There are 19 known color varieties. The most common variety found is the blue bar. In general the Old German Owl is a medium sized bird about the size of a field pigeon, though it is broader in the breast and narrows sharply toward the tail. The wings are tight against the body. The legs are fairly short with the tops being nearly completely covered with body feathers. The neck is also short and thick and the front of the neck and breast have a nice full frill. There can be a tuft of feathers like a dewlap on the throat. The shell crest is one of the most striking attributes of the Old German Owl, supported on the back of the neck by a well developed mane. The beak is a medium length and broader at the base They have big dark eyes, surrounded with fine pale eye ceres.   Other pigeons breeds described as being very much like the Old German Owl and that have been popular in northern and eastern Europe for more than a hundred years are the Gent Frill in Belgium, a Dutch bird referred to as the Farmer's Owl, the Norsk Petent in Norway, and the Anotolian In Greece.
Red Check Hen Photo Courtesy: Doug Smith
Silver Bar Hen Photo Courtesy: Doug Smith

Care and feeding:
    The Old German Owl will do best housed in a roomy aviary, and will also be a perfect choice for a free flight bird housed with a dovecote.
    It's main diet can be a commercial dove and pigeon mix generally consisting of seed, cereal, and legumes. This must be supplemented with greens rich in minerals, vitamins, and calcium. Grit and gravel are also essential.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Housing and About Doves & Pigeons: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:
   Old German Owls have a very friendly demeanor and are fairly tame. They are fun to keep and are peaceable. They form permanent pairs and should be kept together.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Social Behaviors for more information on social behaviors of doves and pigeons..

Activities:
   You will enjoy them for their acrobatic antics as well as their attractive markings both in the aviary and when they are in free flight. These birds do best in an aviary or dovecote because they need room to fly.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   This is a very easy pigeon to breed and their beaks are long enough to feed their own young perfectly well. They are very good parents.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:
  These birds are hardy and healthy if provided with a good environment and a good diet. Avoid an environment that is wet, cool, and drafty.
   See About Doves & Pigeons: Potential Problems for information on health.

Availability: These pigeons are becoming more popular and can be found through bird shows, bird clubs or breeders.