Archangel Standard

DEDICATED TO THE BREEDING, EXHIBITION, AND PROMOTION OF THE ARCHANGEL IN NORTH AMERICA

Hardy looking, sprightly and of a lively disposition. Closely feathered. The Archangel is primarily a color pigeon and therefore the first impression of an Archangel should be a bird that has a deep rich color, proper demarcation and/or pattern, and a highly polished sheen in those varieties that require said sheen. The second impression should be of a good Archangel type with proper confirmation and an impression of overall balance.

Faults: A bird that has poor color, sheen, demarcation, type or generally is in poor condition shall be heavily faulted.

Medium build; Cocks to be somewhat larger and bolder looking than hens. Cocks 12 to 16 ounces. Hens 10 to 14 ounces. Fairly broad through the chest, gently tapering back to the tail, giving a rather long and slender appearance.

Faults: Station too horizontal. Tail should not touch the floor. Birds should not crouch in the show pen.

Slightly arched, long and narrow, forehead reasonably flat. Either peak crested or plain headed.

The peak crest develops at the back of the shoulders and runs up to the apex, where it forms a sharp conical point upon the head. This point should be positioned high, and formed so that from the shoulders to the peak it resembles an even straight edge. There should be no breaks along the ridge of the crest. A line drawn on the side of the head, from the center of the beak through the pupil of the eye, should strike the crest ridge about midway. The peak should be symmetrically balanced in the center of the back of the head. It should not lean to one side or have any indication of crookedness. Plain-headed Archangels are characterized by the absence of a crest.

Faults: Poorly formed, crooked asymmetrical or undersized crest. Gaps or hatchet marks in

Dark orange in color. Bright and lively in appearance. In monk marked and priest marked only, bull eyes are acceptable and are not faults. In brown base colored birds a false pearl eye is not faulted. Cere slightly developed and have a light flesh color.

Reasonably long, upper beak slightly bent downward at the tip. Blackwings show a horn colored beak, with the tip being darker although the tip on light bronze variety is not as dark as on the dark bronze variety. A pure light beak is neither preferred nor faulted. Flesh colored in Whitewings and dark horned color in Bluewings. The wattle having a fine light texture not too developed.

Faults: Narrow breast, protruding belly, sharp keel, skinny or crooked keel.

Reasonably long, tightly held, resting above the tail. The tips fall just short of tail and are not crossed.

Containing twelve retrices with out break. Narrow, approximately two feathers wide. Tail to be held approximately one-half inch from the floor.

Faults: Incorrect number of tail feathers. Forked or split tail. . Excessive width.

Clean legged, free from any feathering below the hocks. Coral red to brown (depending on the base color and the age of the pigeon). Strong and not too high. The nails to be of a dark horn color on Blackwing and Bluewing, flesh colored on Whitewing.

Faults: legs too long or short, giving a leggy or squatty appearance. White toe nails on Blackwing or Bluewing.

The Archangel bronze pattern consists of a base color overlaid on portions of the body by Archangel bronze. Head, neck, breast, belly, shanks and under tail wedge are to be Archangel bronze. Wings, back, rump and tail are to be the base color. The line of demarcation between the bronze and base colored portions should be clearly defined. This line can be seen if the wing is lifted and should be well defined. where the hackle meets the shoulders.

Faults: Demarcation poorly defined. Base color in bronze pattern portion particularly the under tail wedge or bronze in base color portions. White feathers in any area other than allowed in white flighted, monk marked, priest marked or white tailed varieties.

White flights: Both wings should have the same number of white flights, minimum 5, and maximum 10 per wing.

Priest Marked: The head has a cap of white, with a well-defined line of demarcation extending straight through the center of the eye and between the mandibles of the beak. The upper mandible must be completely depigmented while the lower mandible remains pigmented with whatever matches the color combination. The eyes must be uniform in color and are usually bull.

Monk-marked: This variety is to have a white head like the priest except that it extends below the beak, and they have white flights and tails. The white of the head should reach the same distance below the eye as it does above it, to the top of the head.

Whitetail: White tailed Archangels must also have uniformity and definition. The major tail feathers are white but the underbelly, including the under tail wedge must have the typical Archangel bronze.

Head, neck, breast, belly, shanks and under tail wedge are to be deep brilliant copper bronze color. It should be evenly and deeply colored with no dullness or fading on the belly. Should have a highly iridescent sheen, the more fire the better. This sheen should be copper to pink in color throughout. In white wing Archangels, the dark bronze is somewhat darker and is more of a brownish red. Certain color modifiers may affect the bronze coloration, however within the limitations of the modifier, the bronze should resemble the dark bronze as described above as nearly as possible.

Faults: Greenish, yellowish, sooty or plum color or green iridescence in bronze areas.

Head, neck, breast, belly, shanks, and under tail wedge are to be of a golden yellow color. Neither a lighter nor a darker tone is preferred. The color must be uniform over all of the above-mentioned parts. In whitewings the color is somewhat darker and resembles more of a yellow color.

Faults: Greenish, violet, purple or a sooty color, or green iridescence in bronze areas.

Wing shield, back, rump and tail should be as deep and dense a black as possible, free from any trace of slatyness, checkering or bronzing. The visible portion of the flights and tail when closed should also be free from any slate ness, checkering or bronzing. Wing shield, back and rump feathers should have as much iridescent beetle green sheen as possible, the more sheen the better. The flights should be as black as possible when closed, however when the wing is spread the flight feathers should show a rich bronzing on the inner webs of the dark bronze variety and a chestnut color on the inner webs of the light bronze variety.

Faults: Purple or violet sheen, however, a slight admixture of pink is not faulted. Lack of, or poor iridescent green sheen.

Wing shield, back, rump and tail are to be an even shade of blue. The more pure the blue the better, but neither a light nor dark blue is preferred. Flight tips are to be dark and the tail has a black bar.

Wing shield, back, rump and tail are to be a pure white. A very light spotting or flecking is noticeable in the flight feathers, but not apparent unless the wings are spread out.

Faults: Gray on back or color flecking in wing shields. When wings or tails are spread a very light spotting or flecking may be visible and is not a fault.

Any other base color and/or color modifiers are acceptable, however. Archangel breeders are reminded that color is an extremely important feature of the breed.

Barred, barless, checkered, T-pattern and solid colored wing shields are all acceptable. Barred birds should have even and clearly defined bars without a trace of a third bar. Checkered birds should have clearly defined and evenly spaced checks. Barless birds should show no hint of bars. Solid colored shields should be evenly and richly colored.

Referring to the above categories listed in the Standard, length of dissertation has nothing to do with their importance. Whereas the bird as a whole should be judged, including proper type and confirmation, of all parts of the bird listed in the first part of the Standard, the Archangel is primarily a color pigeon and therefore the areas of the Standard that cover color, color design, sheen and their corresponding faults should be considered most important. In the Archangel Bronze Pattern section, proper demarcation and placement of bronze pattern is important. In the Coloration-Base Color section, a rich and even shading of color is very important and in Blackwing the proper iridescent beetle green sheen is of the utmost importance.

The Archangel first and foremost is a color pigeon. It is not appropriate to choose a bird with a flawless pointed crest but flawed colors over and above a bird with flawless colors but less than perfect crest. The concern should not be so much with the crest that for the most part is of very good quality. Instead, concentrate more on the color, which presents many difficulties, points of criticisms and criteria, which are much more important. We are concerned with an extreme color pigeon. Sufficient light and property holding of the bird in relation to the light source is required for proper color recognition. Goals for white flights are the same as those described below. Between 5 and 10 white flights are necessary, with the same number on both wings, but one flight more or less is not a fault.

Concerning the dark bronze or copper blackwing; first and foremost is a pure fiery copper from head to under tail wedge, without any green on the neck or on the sides. The under tail must be thoroughly colored. The fiery, shiny edge must extend deep into the feather, so that the fire (red luster) is a continuous one, without dark lines in between. The thighs (especially the visible outside) and vent corners, as well as the neck, must be thoroughly colored. Smut in these areas is prohibited. Special attention must be paid to the neck, as there are many birds now with green luster and smut in that area. A darker or lighter shade of copper is not important; of importance is the even quality of copper. If, for example, the neck shows a

lighter copper than breast and sides, that is to be considered a fault. Concerning the light bronze or gold blackwing, the most important factor is a completely even and deep gold-yellow with bright shine from head to under tail wedge, including the breast, sides, stomach, vent and under tail wedge. The tone of gold can be lighter or darker, but evenness and bright shine are essential. Birds with green on neck or sides, or even green in the wedge must be faulted. The tail in blackwings should be black when closed and even when spread out black is desirable without too much slatiness. Blue is a major fault. Bronzing is much less objectionable than blue and should not be considered a major fault.

Concerning the wings and back of blackwings what is required here is deep black with a lot of iridescent beetle green luster. Blue in the flights is a serious fault. The luster should, as already mentioned, be an iridescent beetle green. By that we mean a green which is not too dark and which has an appropriate shining quality. The back must appear entirely green, without black cross stripes; otherwise the luster edge does not extend deeply enough into the feather. On the wings, as well, the widest possible luster edge is desirable, with limited purple (restricted to the wing butt). Violet is a big flaw and should be absent. Some purple (reddish luster) is less objectionable than steel blue (violet) luster on back and wings. This iridescent beetle green sheen is one of the most important features of the blackwing.

Greenish, yellowish or sooty color in bronze areas. Green or soot in neck coloring. Bluish or slaty tails, gray or sooty under tail wedge. Too much black in the shanks. Lack of or poor iridescent beetle green sheen on wing shields back or rump. Gray, blue or dull black on back or tail. Tints of red bars or yellow shadowing suggesting a bar on wings.

Concerning the dark bronze or copper bluewing; a fiery copper bronze with even color throughout is of primary importance. A top bird must show fine fiery copper from head to under tail wedge, may not break off and may show no green, with the exception of a breath/tint of green on the upper neck. Deep green on the neck is a more serious fault than diminishing fire underneath. When the base color is very good, an excess of rust on the back should not detract and a touch of bar rust should not be counted as a major fault. Bluish ears, blue in the under tail wedge, too much blue in the shank, green on the breast, side or tail are bad faults. Concerning the wing and back color, the objective is, as required in the standard, a pure pigeon blue. In reality, almost all birds that now show fine copper also have a more or less cloudy coloring. Some of the copper blues that are shown are too dark in their coloring. On the other hand, we have no use for birds with fine wing color but a copper that is dull and contains too much green.

Concerning the light bronze or gold bluewing; the gold should correspond approximately to the gold in the gold blackwing. Green on the neck is entirely unacceptable; the frequent slight reddish shine must be avoided so that an even basic color with bright shine, without other color interference, will be achieved. Otherwise the rules and suggestions follow those discussed above. A gold color, which is not even throughout, is more objectionable than a slightly cloudy or impure wing and back color.

The following are admissible: Bluewings with black bars, with black bars and white flights, with white flights and monk pattern, with white tail and blue-checkered, which also occur with white flights. There are fewer difficulties with the black bars, which should appear clearly outlined and narrow, than with all other rare color variations, which are mentioned. The demands are the same for all, but because of their rarity, sensitivity and leniency ought to guide the judging process.

Impure bronze color in dark bronze bluewing. A gray flat blue color in light bronze bluewings. Green sheen, or sooty color in neck. Too dark a color on head in dark bronze or gray head in light bronze. White backs. Barless bluewings that show a tint of bars. Yellow flecking in wing shields. Too much blue or gray in shanks. Blue or sooty under tail wedge.

Concerning the dark bronze or copper whitewing; the dark bronze is darker than with dark bronze blackwings and show a little less fire, for the luster edge of the feather is less deep. The basic color is, once again, the most important consideration. Breast, sides, stomach and under tail wedge show an even dark bronze coloring with much fire and without green. Attention must also be paid to white shanks and vent corners they should be thoroughly colored. Green at the neck must still be accepted, for now, but attention must be paid to pure head copper including crest and fiery neck ring. On the hens the stomach tends to be a shade duller, that can be accepted. If a bird with fine neck copper is to be exhibited, allowance can be made regarding the copper on the underside, which will be decreasing. Of importance is the red luster on the feathers edge. Brown birds without fire are worthless and should be judged as such. The wings and the back should show a pure cream white, but small spurts of color in the connecting area and rump should not exclude a bird from receiving a high grade. A bird with fine copper color and slight color excess in the wing design is better than one with pure wings but duller copper.

Concerning the light bronze or gold whitewing; the gold color, which should be a hue darker than in the gold blackwing, must be even, without green or red, and possessing a bright shine. The even quality of the basic color is important. Head gold may not be frosted; green on the throat is objectionable. In both dark and light bronze whitewings a very light spotting or flecking when wings or tail are spread out is not to be faulted.

The whitewing with bars have the same requirements. In addition, two small continuous bars are required in accordance with the basic color and delineated. A bad fault is the hint of a third bar. Because of the bar coloring it is significantly more difficult to achieve pure wings. Please exercise leniency in this regard.

Bluish red in bronze areas on dark bronze whitewings. Grayish head or beard. Gray instead of white color on back. Colored flecking in wing shields. Too much white in shanks. Gray or sooty under tail wedge. Blurred or broken wing bars in barred whitewings.

Birds in this class must have the Archangel Bronze pattern. Other base colors or color modifiers may affect the bronze color differently. However the color of the bronze shade should be even throughout with head, neck, breast, belly, shanks and under tail wedge thoroughly colored and without green or smut. The base color of these birds should be rich and evenly shaded.

Greenish, sooty or smutty color in bronze areas. Sooty under tail wedge. Too much of the base color in shanks. Poor or dull base color.

Self colored or birds without the Archangel Bronze pattern are shown in this stock class. Self's should be of a rich color with even shade throughout. Depending on their color, they may or may not have iridescent luster. Archangels of other color patterns should have a pleasing and well defined pattern as well as rich color.

Birds with poor or dull color and birds with poor pattern definition should be heavily faulted.

The foregoing guidelines have been somewhat lengthy because there are several color varieties and also many criteria to address for an Archangel to be a good color pigeon. While the Archangel is primarily a color pigeon it should be emphasized that good type is very important. Simply put, if an Archangel does not have good type it is not a good Archangel. An important factor of Archangel type is a good body with a fairly broad chest and then gently tapering back to the tail. An Archangel has a head unique to the pigeon world. The head should slope up from the beak rather sharply and then be flat from the forehead back to the crest. Concerning station, Archangels tend to be flighty, but in the show pen they should station properly neither crouching nor leaning back on their tail. Other criteria to consider such as crest, neck, wings and so forth can be ascertained by studying the first part of the Standard and the Standard drawing. In general, good confirmation of all parts and an impression of overall balance should weigh heavily inconsideration of good type.

Classes for judging including colors, patterns or markings, and sex will be determined at each show by the Archangel Show Secretary based on the number of birds entered and awards offered. Self colored Archangels and other Archangels that do not have the Archangel bronze pattern will be judged, placed and awards given, if offered, for these classes; however these birds will be considered a stock class and may not compete for Champion Archangel at any designated American Archangel Club meet.

All Archangels judged shall be graded using the individual merit system As follows:

"E" Excellent - this grade is awarded when a bird meets the highest requirements of the standard of perfection and represents the overall impression of near perfection that is obtainable by breeding the Archangel.

"HS" Highly Superior - This grade is awarded when the grade "El' can't be given due to some features that are close to, but don't meet the qualities of an "El' bird. A bird with only a few minor faults should be given this grade.

"S" Superior - This grade is awarded when all the characteristics of the breed are distinctly present and an overall balance is expressed. Some features aren't developed in the same degree of quality as the higher grades. An Archangel with several minor faults or an Archangel with a few minor faults and one major fault should be given this grade. In most cases, this grade should be given to the majority of the entries in the show.

"G" Good - This grade is awarded to pigeons that either have some obvious major faults or an accumulation of too many minor faults. In addition, "G" rated birds might be out of condition. For example, birds that are missing feathers, birds that are in molt, or have soiled feathers. Out of condition birds might, under other circumstances (good condition), be awarded a higher grade.

"A" Acceptable- This grade is given to those birds that have many major faults and are not of show quality, but still are representative of the breed. For example, birds that have dark dull heads, very green necks, or a dark wedge (under tail coverts), very dull bronze, etc. Normally a bird that receives this rating should not be used for breeding because no progress in breeding a better Archangel can be achieved.

"I" Inferior - This grade is given to those birds that have many major faults. A pigeon that shows 'signs of out-crossing to another breed will also receive this grade. In this case, the judge will usually make the notation that the entry is "not representative of its breed." For the most part, Inferior rated birds have no value as breeding stock!

All birds in a class that receive the same grade shall be placed in order of preference by the judge with the exception of "A" Acceptable, or "I" Inferior birds. As an example a class of 10 birds might be graded and placed as follows: