Carrier
The Carrier, usually meaning the English Carrier in modern pigeon fancy, is an old exhibition breed descended from message-carrying pigeons of Middle Eastern and European trade routes. It is not the same as today's racing Homer, even though carrier is often used loosely for messenger pigeons. The show Carrier is long, upright, and powerful-looking, with a large beak wattle, pronounced eye cere, and a clean elongated head and neck. Its appearance records a time when homing tendency and visible head furnishings were both prized.
Modern Carriers are kept mainly for exhibition and breed preservation. The heavy cere and wattles need routine inspection so they do not trap dirt, interfere with feeding, or become injured in tight wire fronts and rough nest bowls. Pairing decisions balance head development with fertility, because exaggerated features can make a bird impressive on the bench but harder to maintain. They require the same basics as other domestic pigeons: a dry loft, secure perches, grit, clean water, and enough space for a large-bodied bird to move without abrading its face.
Colors: Almond, Ash Red, Bar, Barless, Black, Blue, Brown, Checker, Dilute, Dun, Grizzle, Indigo, Mottle, Opal, Pied, Recessive Red, Red, Silver, Splash, Spread, White, Yellow
