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Why Study Pigeons?

See why pigeons are an ideal animal for studying genetics.

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Crest

A single gene controls whether pigeons have a crown of feathers around their heads.

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Foot Feathering

Slipper, Grouse, and Muff describe different types of feathering on the legs and feet.

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Wing Pattern

Pigeons can have 4 different wing patterns: barless, bar, check, and t-check.

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Major Color Locus

Three alleles of this sex-linked gene control whether feathers are blue, brown, or ash-red.

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Spread

The spread allele causes color to be evenly distributed across the body.

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Recessive Red

Pigeons with two copies of this allele are colored a uniform shade of red.

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Dilute

This gene affects the intensity of all the feather colors and wing patterns.

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Inherited Characteristics Gallery

Learn why these diverse birds inspired Charles Darwin and how they're still informing evolutionary biologists today.