Would anybody be able to identify the breed of these pigeons?

Question

These five birds are a family and visit our house in Melbourne every day. One of them has been coming for at least 5 years!

Mum has always believed that the two adults are homing pigeons that lost their way. I'm not so sure. The strange thing is there aren't any like them around where we live. We only get doves that are brown with spotted necks.

I'd be grateful if anyone has any information. Thanks :)

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n221/freswood/birds012.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n221/freswood/birds019.jpg

Answer 1

The ones in the first pic look as if they might be Birmingham Rollers. Those in the second look to be mixed breed or ferals - though they don't quite have that feral look about them. They do look a bit like race birds -- if they're banded (ringed) then it's a certainty.

You also might enjoy checking out these links for Oz.
http://www.anpa.com.au/

http://www.geocities.com/romafancy/romanewl1.htm

http://www.users.bigpond.com/gdmanning/APTpage.htm

http://www.geocities.com/teagercap/pigeonsflightclub.htm

Answer 2

We refer to them as rock pigeons (which are wild) and although most feral pigeons are descendents of domesticated rock pigeons some kind of cross-breeding may happen depending on what breed escaped.. Most if not all pigeons have an amazing sense of direction and space so they do not have to be homing pigeons to keep coming back to a place where they have food and shelter.. These rock pigeons are found on every continent (well except Antartica) so it isn't a huge suprise that a few have made their way to your area. They're kinda unstoppable once they start breeding...

Answer 3

Wowe your lucky I see you have lories in your area, anyway about the pigeons, I'm not sure but there is a great group on yahoo groups with over 1000 people that raise pigeons and doves alot of great people there I would join and ask there.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/doves-pigeons/?yguid=76056507

Answer 4

They appear to be our "everyday" Pigeon here in the USA. Also known as Rock Doves. It's possible someone had them as homers and they just took up residence with you.

Answer 5

What lovely pigeons! Looks like bit of homer and regular pigeon.

Answer 6

I am pretty sure they are rock doves or rock pigeons. They are feral in the USA and take over in urban settings. the coloration is called piebald.

Answer 7

it would help in case you gave us the link to the image. i attempted googling mastiffs yet might desire to no longer detect a image similiar to the only you're describing EDIT: that's a white english mastiff named Snow White. that's purely a pup, that's why there is this sort of extensive actual distinction between it and the fawn english mastiff to the left.