Characteristics and Productivity of Some Pigeon Breeds in Bangladesh (Aves: Columbidae)

This is our hurried responsibility to introduce those pigeon breeds that have economic value. In this case, very common and productive breeds but moderately unknown in history or confusing on their scientific identity need to be focused elaborately. A survey in the country, as well as experiences on these pigeons, inspired to write this valuable fundamental composition. Pet shops, markets, and lofts have sulli (moos-sulli), chuva chandan (chua chandan), bombai (sotobanca/Italian crested mondain), kokah (laugher), and parvin (Australian red) pigeons are carrying a remarkable productivity in the country. Prices of adult and squabs are reasonable to all sorts of people.


Introduction
Bangladesh is very rich with many varieties of pigeons from the past. Many people kept pigeons with maintaining proper care and breeding. In past, people reared pigeons just for meat purposes (local pigeon) and few were tumblers and highflyer pigeons for flying amusement. (Levi, 1941) described moos-sulli/Syrian coop tumbler with their characteristics in his book 'The Pigeon'. In Bangladesh, this breed is called 'ghia sulli' for its only self-yellow colour. (Kabir, 2014), (Kabir, 2014a), (Kabir, 2015) just compiled some tumbler/roller/highflyer pigeons of Bangladesh where this moos-sulli (so-called ghia sulli) was noticeable. In most of the areas of Bangladesh, this breed is available with its perfect markings. It has no leg feathers and cannot tumble when fly and is considered a beautiful cage bird (Kabir, 2021). Italian sotobanca or crested mondain had been noted by Levi (1941), in his book too. In Bangladesh, one type of pigeon is available which is called bombai pigeon.
According to this name, this is an Indian breed (Bombay of India) but it has no concrete history of origin in any book of pigeons. A keen observation about sotobanca, this bombai pigeon shows many similarities with them. So this bombai can be a cross product of sotobanca. (Kabir, 2018) mentioned bombai pigeon in his paper as a successful pigeon breed for starting a firsttime pigeon farm. In 1985, Moragacha village of Kumarkhali upazila of Bangladesh, there was a male black bombai (Italian crested mondain), its pair flew from the launch from getting back from Sirajganj of Bangladesh. This Moragacha village was renowned for tumblers and lotan pigeons at a time, and this village carries a nostalgic event with the author of this paper (Kabir, 2020). Kokah pigeon is a special type of vocalized pigeon, available throughout Bangladesh but in the Rangpur division, this is many (Rahman, 1999). Emperor Akbar had around 20,000 pigeons and among them, 500 were specially sorted out. Kabir (2014), published an article on the Mughal pigeons with the availability of kokah pigeons. In other books, there is no trace about this pigeon but their voice is similar to Thai laugher but phenotypically this breed is different than others. There is no single evidence about "chuva chandan" and "Australian red" breeds in books except only one pdf on the internet (Self, 2022). Rahman (1999), only mentioned just the names of bombai, parvin, and chua chandan pigeons in his book without description. The objective of this study is to enhance for keeping these pigeon breeds for sufficient profit with the fulfilling their hobby.

Materials and Methods
Sulli, chuva chandan, parvin, bombai, and kokah pigeons were available in pet shops of Kushtia, Saidpur, Dinajpur, and Dhaka Katabon Animal Market Kabir (2013), and pigeon markets of Kushtia, Saidpur, and Mirpur Dhaka, Bangladesh (Kabir, 2014c). Direct observation and survey method provided immense thought about their breeding characteristics, comparison with other breeds, and their acceptance value. Weekly visit in these shops and markets enriched the parameters of this article. Pigeon keepers helped to contribute their year-wise data on the above parameters. This study was completed in the year 2021.

Results and Discussion
Moos-sulli. Wendell Mitchell Levi (1941), described moos-sulli breed in his book 'The Pigeon' (page 217) in tumbler varieties. In Bangladesh, this pigeon is called 'ghia sulli'. Its colour is very nice like ghee and a popular breed (Table 1; Figure  1). This is not a flying bird; rearers keep in the cage as a show bird. In most of the pet shops, this pigeon is available and the price is reasonable at all. Moreover, its breeding performance, as well as care to the young, is mentionable. In Bangladesh, this is considered a non-tumbling tumbler (Kabir, Hawkeswood, & Makhan, 2020). Its body shape, eye colour, beak, and head size are somewhat a true tumbler. Levi (1941), said this breed into coop-tumbler because it tumbles in a very short space. Among the tumbler group, in Bangladesh, this sulli pigeon is very common, especially in Dhaka city. Till now, there is no mixing record of this breed but sometimes white feathers can be expressed with its yellow plumages (Table 1; Figure 1). Levi (1941), described this breed with muff but in Bangladesh, this bird is totally clean-legged. Based on the shape of the head mostly this breed is plainheaded but crested variety also common. In fact, this is a breed (domestic) (Columba livia domestica) not a species.

Figure 1. Ghia sulli (Moos-sulli) (Columba livia domestica)
Chuva chandan. This is an Indian breed, same with the moos-sulli. Pigeon belongs to the tumbler family but this is a show breed. Remarkable coloured with yellowish head-neck and the body is shades of grey (Table 1; Figure 2). Commonly found in Bangladesh at a reasonable price and has an enchanting face at a glance. Its eye is always black and clean-legged. Mostly plain-headed but crested variety is also available throughout Bangladesh. Moreover, it cannot tumble. The beak is short and is clean-legged. Breeders do not mix this pigeon with others so that this is a purebreed till now; a very docile and calm pigeon. Its crest is always displayed with peak crest. The breeding biology of this pigeon is mentionable and possible to sell its baby anytime. Based on the nice and exceptional plumage colour, this pigeon could snatch anybody's eyesight. Plain-headed variety is more abundant than the crested ones (Table 1; Figure 2). Acceptance, availability, price, overall reproductive performances are distinguished on their commercial value.

Figure 2. Chua chandan (chuva chandan) (Columba livia domestica)
Bombai pigeon. When I read in class four, saw a big large-sized black male pigeon (so-called bombai) in my village Moragacha. Its pair flew from the launch when my cousin is returning from Sirajganj of Bangladesh. Then in our village, this male got a pair with other local (indigenous) black female and this pair produced some black and intermediate-sized offspring. In my childhood place, Moragacha village under Kumarkhali upazila of Bangladesh had many nostalgic events with pigeons (Kabir, 2020). My father kept tumblers and loton pigeons in this village. Finally, all of those black bombai pigeons were caught by domestic cats. In many books, I did not find the actual international name of this bombai pigeon. From the name bombai, it is easily understandable that this is an Indian breed. On the internet, after keen searching Italian crested mondain is similar to this bombai pigeon (Beaumont, 1962). It has four self colours-black, red, yellow, and white but black is rare. All are very nice with their broad crest (ear to ear); robust body and very powerful birds at all. Carrying a sharp beak and completely clean-legged (Table 1; Figure 3). Breeding is mentionable but sometimes its huge bodyweight makes hazards in incubation. Alternative use of the pair could ensure proper hatching. It is commonly found in any pet shops and markets of Bangladesh. Legs are comparatively short. Pigeon keeper collects this pigeon without any doubt and does not cross with others so that this is purebred as a whole. Due to heavyweight, they cannot fly more.

Figure 3. Red bombai (sotobanca) (Columba livia domestica)
Kokah Pigeon. The history of the laugher pigeon is known but on kokah pigeon, this is completely unknown in any books. Rahman (1999), mentioned this pigeon as a kokah breed in his book 'Kingdom of Pigeons' (in Bangla). Its voice is completely similar to Thai laugher pigeon but its physical appearance is the same as with the local pigeon. The plumage colour is brick-red. The beak is very sharp; loose plumages; peak crested and always clean legged (Table 1; Figure 4). Till now, this is purebred at all and found abundant. Price is moderately high (depending on its voice quality) and available in Bangladesh especially Rajshahi, Natore, and Rangpur. After hatching, this pair shows more aggressiveness to each other so alternative use of birds ensures the stability of the young (Rahman, 1999). Its continuous narrow cooing is a long-lasting phenomenon. Early in the morning, it makes a huge sound. Normally small pigeons and body stamina are not very strong. Till now it has no alternative colours except brick-red.
In addition, it has no plain-headed and muffed variety. With the brick-red plumages, sometimes black feathers can be seen. Slim bodied with lightweight. The eye colour is orange or red (Table 1; Figure 4).

Figure 4. Kokah (laugher) (Columba livia domestica)
Parvin. In Bangladesh, this breed is called 'parvin' but on the internet supplement, this is somewhat Australian red/Darpan/Barpan (Self, 2022). Always red or yellow and very few are whites. A normal looked pigeon having a broad crest and muff. Plain-headed variety is not available (Table 1; Figure 5). Medium elongated body and medium to large-sized. It has an affectionate face with reasonable market value; not very common in the pet shop or pigeon markets. Breeding performance is acceptable like other pigeons. Cool tempered pigeon and possible to rear with other pigeons. Yellow coloured eye with small and flattened head. It is show bird and cannot fly well due to muff (Table 1; Figure  5). More or less broad crest and muffed pigeon; it has no other extra-ordinary qualities to distinguish from other breeds. All are self-coloured; this is purebred in Bangladesh. Pigeon breeders normally do not mix this exceptional breed with others for earning a good profit.

Conclusion
The mentionable five breeds are more pronounced perspective Bangladesh with their economic advantages. If any pigeon keepers rear these pigeons, be economically benefited after fulfilling their hobby. In this regard, this article is carrying remarkable merit. For a long time staying in Bangladesh and for some/many differences we can recognize them in the separate breed and could deliver their name internationally. These pigeons are available in the country, outstanding breeding performance, and the market value of adults and squabs are desirable.