The golden Shahbaz is an extremely rare variety of the Shahbaz pigeon breed. Originally bred in Pakistan, the Shahbaz is known for its athleticism, stamina, and homing abilities. The regular Shahbaz has a slate blue coloration, but through selective breeding, some Shahbaz breeders have produced a golden/yellow variety.
Origin and History
The Shahbaz breed originated in the Shahbaz Gunj area of Lahore, Pakistan. They have been bred in the region for over 400 years and are considered a national symbol of Pakistan. The name “Shahbaz” means “royal falcon” in Urdu, reflecting the breed’s speed and athleticism when flying.
The golden color variety of Shahbaz is believed to have first appeared sometime in the late 20th century. By breeding together lighter colored slate blue Shahbaz over multiple generations, some breeders were able to isolate and stabilize the golden gene. The first golden Shahbaz were initially exhibited at shows in Pakistan in the 1990s.
From Pakistan, the golden Shahbaz spread to enthusiasts in Europe, North America, and Asia through imports of breeding stock. However, the golden variety has remained relatively rare, even in its native Pakistan. Specific breeding programs focused on producing golden Shahbaz are limited.
Physical Features
The golden Shahbaz inherits most of the physical qualities of its slate blue ancestor. It has a round head, strong beak, large wattles, and an athletic medium-sized body structure. As indicated by its name, the key distinguishing feature is its lustrous golden-yellow plumage.
When taking flight, the wing feathers display a darker blackish hue. The beak, eyes, nails, and feet are generally dark colored. Overall, the golden Shahbaz cuts a bold, vivid figure compared to the usual blue shade.
Personality and Temperament
Golden Shahbaz tend to have energetic, active personalities typical of their breed. They are enthusiastic flyers and interact well with humans when properly socialized. The golden variety shows the same loyal and intelligent traits that have made the Shahbaz a favorite breed in its homeland.
Population and Distribution
The global population of golden Shahbaz is estimated to number about 5,000 to 10,000 birds. They are found in pockets within their native Pakistan, as well as parts of Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia where they have been exported.
In Pakistan, golden Shahbaz can be found in major Shahbaz breeding centers such as Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. They are most common in the Punjab province where the breed originated. The largest population is concentrated within Pakistan’s Shahbaz breeding community.
Breeders in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain have golden Shahbaz populations in the hundreds stemming from Pakistani imports. North American and Southeast Asian flocks are smaller, numbering in the tens or low hundreds for most enthusiasts.
Breeding and Genetics
The golden coloration of the Shahbaz is produced by a recessive gene mutation that inhibits the deposition of dark pigment. Through meticulous selection over many generations, breeders fixed this mutation to create the golden strain.
To produce golden offspring, both parents must carry the recessive gene. When breeding golden to golden, 100% of the chicks will be golden. But when crossed to normal slate blue Shahbaz, approximately 50% will inherit the golden gene and exhibit the coloration.
The golden gene is relatively unstable compared to other coat color mutations. Even when selecting pure golden pairs, a small percentage of chicks may revert to blue or produce other off-colors. Careful breeding is required to maintain the brilliant yellow shade from one generation to the next.
Temperament and Performance
The golden Shahbaz retains all the athleticism, endurance, and flying abilities of its blue ancestral form. The golden coloration is only a cosmetic difference and does not affect its temperament or performance.
In flight and racing competitions, the golden variety can match the speeds and homing capabilities of its blue counterpart. It continues to excel in the endurance flying events that the Shahbaz breed is known for. The energy level and trainability of goldens is on par with blues as well.
The golden plumage does not seem to impede vision or aerodynamics. Beyond its visual appeal, the golden color does not offer any performance advantage or disadvantage compared to the normal blue Shahbaz.
Rarity and Value
Due to the very limited breeding of golden Shahbaz worldwide, they are highly prized and valued among collectors and Shahbaz enthusiasts. Availability is extremely restricted, even within its native Pakistan.
The number of golden Shahbaz in captivity is estimated to be between 5,000 – 10,000 globally. This compares to a total Shahbaz breed population likely exceeding several hundred thousand pigeons. So goldens probably account for less than 5% of Shahbaz overall.
Prices for high quality golden Shahbaz can reach into the thousands of dollars per breeding pair. For comparison, normal blue Shahbaz can often be acquired for less than $100. The premium is attributed to rarity along with the visual beauty of their plumage.
Future Outlook
The future of the golden Shahbaz rests largely in the hands of dedicated breeders within Pakistan’s Shahbaz fancier community. Preserving and expanding the golden gene pool will require careful selection and planning over successive generations.
If more Shahbaz breeders around the world choose to focus on producing golden offspring, the population and availability could increase in years to come. But the golden variety will likely always remain relatively scare compared to the ubiquitous blue Shahbaz.
The small existing breeding pool limits potential growth. Inbreeding risks could become an issue if the golden population is not expanded responsibly. But ongoing conservation efforts should ensure the survival and gradual increased access to these rare, beautiful pigeons.
Conclusion
With an estimated global population around 5,000-10,000, the golden Shahbaz remains an incredibly rare pigeon variety, even within its native Pakistan. Coveted for their unique golden color and valued by Shahbaz enthusiasts, dedicated breeding work is required to preserve and propagate the golden strain. Their scarcity and brilliant appearance will likely continue making them a prized rarity into the foreseeable future.