Description / Characteristics and History of the Breed

Description / Characteristics:

The Classic Frill pigeon is a fancy pigeon that has been breed mainly for show or exhibition purposes.  It is a very good pet as the disposition of the breed is calmer than some pigeon breeds.  The Classic Frill has direct ties to the Oriental Frill or Old-Fashioned Oriental Frill as well as subsequent breeding to the Modern Oriental Frill.  

The Classic Frill pigeon is a small to medium sized breed.  It is a very beautiful and striking bird due to its unique appearance with peak crest (needle-point), well-developed continuous feather mane on the back of the neck, chest frill (being about 1-2 inches in length), feather lacing, grouse muffed legs and toes, medium sized beak, and larger eyes. It is a cobby bird and has a jaunty disposition. The head of the Classic Frill pigeon is roundish to slightly oval, substantial and wide. The forehead flows in a smooth, continuous curve from the tip of the beak to the tip of the peak crest. 

There are two main varieties of the breed with Satinettes and Blondinettes. 

Satinettes have a white head and body.  They have either lacing on wings/tails or solid wing shield colors with white bars.  Their tail-colored markings consist of Moon Spots (spot tails) or lacing.

Blondinettes bodies (head, neck, body, legs) are colored (blue, brown, black, etc.), e.g. entire plumage being colored.  They have either white bars or lacing on the wing shields and Moon Spots (spot tails) or lacing on the tail. Some varieties may have the lacing extending over most of the body.

A great description of the Classic Frill pigeon is from Damielle Ramsey (Purebred Pigeon, September/October 2016), where she said, "Dressed to kill in elegant lace, there stands this jaunty little bird with the sweetest expression on it cherubic little face with big, round, dark eyes and the fluffiest little cheek crowned with a needle-point peak crest.  It struts with just enough of a swagger to accentuate the bell-bottom flare of it luxurious Grouse Muffs, its chest proudly out-thrust to display an ideally long, even frill, reminiscent of the ruffles on a gentleman's regency shirt. What a stunning little work of living art!"

Description / Characteristics Continued: 

The Classic Oriental Frill is an exhibition breed of pigeon from the Owl family. It is also known as the Old Fashioned Oriental Frill and the Old Style Oriental Frill. It is the precursor breed from which the Modern Oriental Frill was created and continuation of the Oriental Frill or Classic Old Frill. It is a beautiful ancient pigeon breed, which can now be seen on exhibit at major American and Canadian shows, and by owners across the world.  

Selective breeding has changed with birds that generally look similar between the Classic Frills and Modern Oriental Frills especially on body size and importantly beak length.  Modern Oriental Frills have short stubby beaks often requiring foster parents as feeders, while Classic Frills (Classic Old Frills or Old Fashioned Oriental Frills) have a medium beak and do not need foster feeders, of another long-beaked breed.  Both Classic and Modern Frills share similar colors and markings.  Classic Oriental Frills are small/medium birds with an average weight about 11 to 12 ounces (320 to 340 grams) whereas Modern Oriental Frills are larger. The paintings shown here on this page; Satinettes and Blondinettes are more towards the Modern Oriental Frill type with the way the beaks have been painted however they give you an idea of the type and colors of this beautiful pigeon.  The pictures on this page of / from Wendell M. Levi's Encyclopedia Pigeon Breeds of the Oriental Frills are more towards the Classics of today with beaks slightly longer. 

Classic Frills tolerate most climates being very adaptable when cared for properly. Being a fancy pigeon for show or exhibition purposes it is a striking bird. Mike McLin (Classic Frill President 2024) said, "What stops you when walking down the aisle at a show? .... if a bird is showing, and standing at station, I just have to stop for a second and give it a little notice for being that show bird who can stop you in your tracks to take a better look (McLin, 2016).