Some morphological characteristics of squadron flyer pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine morphological characteristics of pigeons in Turkey. The study was conducted with 175 pigeons (including 119 males and 56 female) which were reared in eight different enterprises in 2013. Some morphological parameters (coat color, markings, head type, eye color, rough footed, the number of tail flight feathers and typical feathering form on the head) and morphometric measurements [(body weight (428.85+/-5.67 g) and length (36.48+/-0.20 cm), trunk length (10.09+/-0.09 cm), wing span (67.67 +/-0.26 cm) and length (31.34+/-0.05 cm), tail length (12.32+/-0.08 cm), thoracic perimeter (22.11+/-0.11 cm), chest width (56.02+/-0.42 cm) and depth (65.03+/-0.66 cm), head length and width (55.09+/-0.41 cm and 21.60+/-0.16 cm), bill length and depth (17.39+/-0.22 mm and 6.78+/-0.07 mm), tarsus diameter (4.36+/-0.04 cm)] were determined individually. While body weight (P < 0.01), body length (P < 0.05), wing span (P < 0.001), tail length (P < 0.01), chest depth (P < 0.05), bill length (P < 0.05) and bill depth (P < 0.01) were affected by age, wing span (P < 0.05), wing length (P < 0.01), chest depth (P < 0.01), bill length (P < 0.05), and tarsus diameter (P < 0.05) were affected by sex. In conclusion, due to the body weight, body length, wing span, tail length, chest depth, bill length and bill depth were affected by age, body development was sustained until later periods of growth.