Florentine
The Florentine is an Italian fancy pigeon associated with Florence and the old European color-pigeon tradition. It is usually recognized for a strong body, smooth feathering, and clean color or marking patterns rather than for flight performance. In some standards, Florentines are grouped among utility or color pigeons, reflecting a history closer to farm and exhibition use than to tumbling or racing.
Florentines need steady, practical care: dry lofts, clean perches, bathing water, grit, and enough room to keep larger birds in good condition. Breeders should select for correct type, color, fertility, and calm parenting. Because Italian regional breeds may be uncommon outside specialty circles, source records and standard references are useful. Buyers should ask whether the birds come from exhibition lines, utility lines, or mixed stock carrying the Florentine name.
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