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Helmet – Page 50 – Purebred PIGEON
Breed of the Issue - Helmet
Helmet, Krymka,
Kalotten alsoCapicúa
By Jerry Sindelar
T
he Helmet, a neat pigeon described often as a breed
with zestful impression, vigor and enthusiasm, is
well known in the pigeon world for a long time.
Even though it is not bred by high number of breeders, it
has serious breeders on every continent.
Originally probably from Persia as a flying bird, now
strictly a show breed. In the USA it was first exhibited at
a pigeon show in 1873. Its first description was mentioned
by Aldrovandi in 1603, and several times shortly after that
in the 17th century. Existing at that time already in several
colors, sometimes only with slightly different description
in marking on wings, but always with colored head and
tail, which gave this breed, referring to coloration of the
head, the name Helmet. The same derives also in other
languages.
It is bred usually in two types - plainhead and shell
crested with rosettes, some have beside the original me-
dium beak also short face type. Interesting markings and
long-time breeding existence, gave impulse to create also
breeds differing in type, size and feather ornaments. Sev-
eral breeds differ now from the common medium beaked
variety and exist as short beaked only – as Bialostok Kry-
mka, some longer beaked as the Dutch Helmet and Polish
Krymka. Over time, some breeds are changing appearance
but also name as it is Kalotten from previous Hamburg,
Kalotte, etc. This marking has been transferred also into
breeds which are not originally Helmets, like Köln (Co-
logne) Tumbler. Some of the officially recognized Helmet
breeds are pictured.•
Polska Krymka
Moskevsky mnich LAJ
More
Helmet Breeds