Conservation of Italian Autochthonous Domestic Pigeon Breeds

Abstract

In this work it is proposed an analysis of the conservation status of Italian autochthonous domestic pigeon breeds. As like as other domestic species, the domestic pigeon is undergoing a rapid decline. In Italy the pigeon breeding is an ancient practice anterior to the Roman period. Actually we have 11 autochthonous breeds, here described in their mainly characteristics, and for everyone is proposed the population size and the perspective of conservation for the future. An important and fundamental impulse to the conservation of these breeds has been given by the Italian Pigeon Breeders Federation – FIAC and its numerous members, which have preserved the biodiversity heritage of the domestic pigeon in Italy. Of the Italian autochthonous breeds, only three are considered not at risk, while the other are in the range size for the breeds considered threatened. Two breeds, the Rondone frill and the Parma Occhialone pigeon are now present with numbers that classify them in the "critical" category. For the Rondone frill a numerical increase program is being developed, for the Parma Occhialone pigeon the FIAC has activated a recovery and diffusion program. To guarantee a future for biodiversity of this interesting domestic species in Italy, will be necessary to encourage the breeding of these Italian autochthonous domestic pigeons.