Darwin's pigeons

'Can you see any good reason why the natural selection of [...] individual differences should not make a new species?'
Charles Darwin

The humble pigeon was crucial to Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin learnt to breed them, corresponded with pigeon fanciers from as far afield as India and Iran, and showed how different characteristics can be selected and exaggerated over generations. For example, he was able to produce pigeons with extra tail feathers by picking the right parents.

He concluded that, in the wild, offspring inherit characteristics that helped their parents survive, and this allows species to change over millions of years.

He also worked out that all domesticated pigeons are descended from one common ancestor, the rock dove.

Darwin gave his personal collection of pigeons to the Museum in 1867 and 1868, as part of a bigger collection of domestic birds including ducks, chickens and canaries. The pigeons came with his handwritten notes and labels, and you can even see his writing on some of the bones.

The 60 skins and 60 or so skeletons were a vital inspiration for his theory of evolution by natural selection and feature extensively in his book On the Origin of Species.

Find out more about the Museum's bird collections >
Explore other key objects related to the theory of evolution >