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UZBEK
PIGEONS
German pigeon fanciers associate pigeons from Uzbekistan with the
long-muffed, short-beaked tumblers with a double crest or beak
crest, listed in the German standard. Known is also the Bukharian
trumpeter. This breed is, however, of no importance in Uzbekistan
today. The varieties listed in the German standard do not do justice
to the diversity and tradition of Uzbek pigeon breeding. This is
known from the writings of Uzbek pigeon fanciers, previously in
Russian. For example, by B.A. Simonov (Tashkent 1975), R.R. Masumow
(Tashkent 2010), and Uktam Obidov (Bukhara 2009, 2012, and 2017).
The book by W. Saradshan (Tashkent 1989) is bilingual in Russian and
German. It was reviewed on the own website about a decade ago.
UKTAM
OBIDOV's book on the "History of Pigeons in
Bukhara," published in 2024, is the first in Uzbek language
(Fig. 1). With some Russian and Tajik elements, it is 180 pages,
fully illustrated. It is a book that delves into the history of
Bukhara's traditional flying pigeons, the color variations of the "Ranja
pigeons," and the origins of the younger Uzbek varieties with
distinctive feather structures. It was written in Uzbek language
because he believed that the knowledge that had previously been
passed on orally to the next generation should be preserved in
written form.
The
focus is on the old flying pigeon breeds with good orientation
skills and a wide variety of colors, which were used competitively
in the 'basket fight' (p. 7). This was a type of trapping sport in
which 'Ranga' pigeons of many colors were released together at a
greater distance. Pigeons from other lofts were lured into the home
loft and later released again (detailed in Obidov 2009, p. 76ff.).
These are typical flying pigeons with short foot feathers,
plain-headed or with a shell crest (Fig. 3-5). A plain-headed flying
pigeon is also depicted on the cover. According to the explanations
and illustrations, such pigeons are still of great importance to
breeders in Bukhara and have also reached Germany as flying pigeons
through emigrants from Uzbekistan.
The
importance and appreciation of these pigeons will vary regionally in
Uzbekistan. In the pigeon book by Saradshan, published in Tashkent,
they are depicted as 'Kampftschinny' and 'Kampf-Udy' (blue pigeons)
(pp. 48/49), but are only briefly mentioned.
In
Obidov's books, however, the historical breeds of Bukhara are placed
at the beginning, contrasting sharply with the later-developed,
extreme short-beaked pigeons with their head structures and muffs.
The 2024 book covers, among other things, the origins and historical
development of domestic pigeon breeding in Bukhara, the original
appearance of the pigeons, the influence of pigeons from neighboring
regions, the influence of Bukhara pigeons on breeds from other
regions, and the correct pronunciation of names and terms for
individual characteristics (p. 5).
In
Tashkent, colorful pigeons with a crest are said to have been
popular from an early stage. Double-crested pigeons (crested and
rose or nasal tuft at foreheads) were developed there in the 1920th
through crosses with local pigeons and Bozhingi pigeons originally
from Bukhara. The long foot feathers are said to be derived from
Bukhara trumpeter pigeons, and the short beak also from Russian owls
(Obidov 2024, p. 30). Crosses with other owl breeds can also be
assumed from illustrations in Saradshan's book (image plates after
p. 11 in Saradshan 1989). Obidov shows the 'modern' variant in a
picture bar at page 31 as 'Uzbek Kosh-Pukuk Flying Game Ornamental
Pigeons' (Fig. 9).
Bukhara Kosoni are discussed in several places (Obidov 2024, pp. 5,
70/72, 155/156, 171/172). They have a sexually dimorphic coloration
like pigeons with the faded gene. However, in faded pigeons,
homozygous cocks are almost white. In Kosoni, the lighting is more
muted (Fig. 7). On pages 171/172, the author describes how he
developed the double-crested variant from plain-headed pigeons. The
coloration was already discussed on Facebook by interested parties
several years ago. I have not heard anything about the announced
analyzes so far.
The
white-and-red-stockinged Thinny varieties of the Flying Uzbeks (Fig.
8) are a genetically interesting color variety (Sell, 2012, 2015).
They were common among flying pigeon enthusiasts in Germany and were
also kept in the own loft for a long time. They flew at medium
altitudes in the loft with occasional somersaults.
The
range of topics covered in the book is broader than outlined here.
This is evident from the table of contents (Fig. 10). The book
appears to be available from the author himself.
Literature:
Obidov, Uktam, БУХОРО
АБОРИГЕН КАБУТАРЛАРИ ТАРИХИ (Bukhara
natives. History of the Pigeons), Durdona Publishing House. Bukhara
2024, 180 pages, illustrated throughout in color (Uzbek with some
Russian and Tajik additions).
Obidov, Uktam, Голуби древней
Бухары (Pigeons of
Ancient Bukhara), Bukhara 2009, 104 pages with numerous color
illustrations (in Russian).
Saradzhan, W., Pigeons, Pigeons, Pigeons, Mechnat Publishing House,
Tashkent 1989 (bilingual in Russian and German).
Sell, Axel,
Genetik der Taubenfärbungen, Achim 2015 (German language).
Sell, Axel,
Pigeon Genetics. Applied Genetics in the Domestic Pigeon, Achim,
2012.
Fig. 1: Uktam
Obitov, History of
Pigeons in Bukhara, Bukhara 2024
Fig. 2:
Gulbodom Union of Pigeon
Breeders. Reviewer: S.B. Boriev, Doctor of Biological Sciences,
Professor
Fig. 3:
Plain-headed Uzbek Flying Pigeons. Source: Obitov 2024
 
Fig. 4 and 5:
Shell-Crested Uzbek Fying Pigeons. Source: Obitov 2024
Fig. 6: The
today show type developed in Tashkent in the 1920th. Source: Obitov
2024
Fig. 7:
Sex-dimorph Kosoni with lighter cocks and darker hens. Source:
Obitov 2024
Fig. 8: The
flying type of Uzbek Tumblers in the Tschinny-coloration in the own
loft some years ago. Leaving the nest with a weak recessive red,
they molt out self white or in different white/red color-classes.
Source: Sell, Pigeon Genetics, Achim 2012
Fig. 9: Pigeon
Fanciers in Buckhara, in the centre Uktam Obidov. Source: Obidov
2024
Fig.
10: Table of Contents
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