The Holle Cropper pigeon is a breed of domestic fancy pigeon from Netherlands. It is also as the Amsterdam Balloon Cropper, and was developed over many years of selective breeding.
This breed and other varieties of domesticated pigeons, all are descendants from the feral or wild rock pigeon.
It is one of the Pygmy Pouters, and it stands on tiptoes and tilts back somewhat like the Fantails. The bird should appear like a round ball on it’s legs.
The Holle Cropper pigeon was actually developed from Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is a very old breed, and exact date of it’s origin is unknown.
But there are paintings of the breed made by the old Dutch Masters of the sixteenth century. Read some more information about this breed below.
Holle Cropper Pigeon Appearance
Holle Cropper pigeon is a smaller sized pigeon which is short and symmetric. It is a very beautiful bird with an admirable circular shape and graceful movements.
It has a medium sized head with a well rising frontal. The head is held centered in the globe. Globe of these birds is well rounded and proportional with their body.
The globe is well inflated, rises from the chest and falls into the hallowed back. They have bold and bright eyes and the ceres are finely textured and silky.
Beak of the Holle Cropper pigeon is medium in length with fine and small wattles. It’s neck is long, graceful and S-shaped. And the neck has a loose and easy motion while strutting.
Wings of the Holle Cropper pigeon are fitted close to the body, and it’s tail is compact and is carried horizontally. Legs of these birds are close set, straight and parallel when viewed from the front side.
The legs can may be slightly feathered or clean, and the feet are small and neat. They can appear in self, pied or tiger-splashed color.
Average live body weight of the mature Holle Cropper pigeon is about 380 grams. Photo and info from PigeonSpot and Wikipedia.
Uses
This pigeon is mainly used as an exhibition breed. It is good for ornamental purpose and also good for raising as pets.
Special Notes
The Holle Cropper pigeon is a very beautiful bird with attractive appearance. It is pretty good flyer, and the head and neck are arrived in an upright position in flight and not extended to the front as in most other pigeon breeds.
The breed is classified as or compared with the Pigmy Pouter pigeon. And it looks smaller than it actually is. Although it is an exhibition breed, but good for ornamental purpose and also good for raising as pets.
However, review full breed profile of this breed in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Holle Cropper |
| Other Name | Amsterdam Balloon Cropper |
| Breed Purpose | Exhibition, ornamental, pets |
| Special Notes | Beautiful birds, strong and hardy, attractive appearance, excellent for exhibition purpose, good for ornamental purpose, good for raising as pets |
| Breed Class | Small |
| Weight | Around 380 grams |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates |
| Flying Ability | Good |
| As Pets | Good |
| Color | Can be of self, pied or tiger-splashed color |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Netherlands |
