Color Guidelines

The American Show Racer Color Guideline

Originally published 1/21/88
Committee Members: Brad Child/ Chairman
Bob Trane, Norm McClister, Amos Hodson
Castle Child (Printing)

Updated with new colors July 1996
Committee Members: Harry Hudgins, Chairman
Brad Child

Updated with new color March 2002
Committee Members: Joe Bronner, Cass Child, Peter Huntsman, Kent Wright

Click here to see the
Proposed Changes to the Color Guidelines
Vote will taken on these sometime this Fall or Winter

Below are the current guidelines

The American Show Racer Color Guideline

The American Show Racer is a "type pigeon" with color classes to aid in separating the breed into judgeable categories. Following is a clarification of the different colors and patterns, showing what is "desired", considered "undesirable" and "unacceptable" in the show room. Good color is a desirable characteristic and one of the fine finishing touches which contributes to the total Show Racer. However, it should be understood that at no time should a bird of perfect or desired color win over a bird of superior type simply because it excels in color alone.

All colors in solid color classes should be true without whiteness and with solid backs, flanks, thighs, rumps and bellies. Refer to color/ marking section of the Written Standard for details.

Bars: In the bar and check pattern, the bars, two in number, should be dearly defined on each wing shield. They should come together where the wings fit over the rump and should carry down and reach as close as possible to the leading edge of the wing. Bars can be indistinct or indiscernible in "T" pattern (Velvet) where the entire wing shield can be the color of the bars.

ASRA Color Classes

Blue Bar, Blue Check, Dark Check, Black Check (medium to Black Velvet), Red Bar, Red Check (light to Red Velvet), Grizzle, Dominant Opal, Yellow , Silver, Rare, Splash or Pied, Mismarked.

Blue Bar

Desirable: The Blue Bar should be within the light to medium range of pearl gray, sometimes referred to as powder blue. This shade should remain uniform throughout the wing shields, back, rump, hocks and vent. The head and neck are most often a darker shade. The neck showing the iridescent green and purple, with green predominating, The flight feathers are dark gray becoming almost black on the outer edges and tips. The tail should have a dark almost black band approximately 3/4" in width appearing about 1/2" from the end of each feather. The bars, two in number, should be black dearly defined bars on each wing shield and come together where the wings fit over the rump. The bars should carry down and reach as close as possible to the leading edge of the wing. Beak and toe nails very dark, almost black.
Undesirable: Smoky or dirty blue color as well as very light hocks, rump, vent and back. Thin or weakly defined bars. (Some penalty should be imposed by the judge for the above).
Unacceptable: Occurrence of white feathers anywhere or white toe nails. Showing sootiness or pencil markings put the Blue Bar in the Mismarked class.

Blue Check

Desirable: The light to medium Blue Check exhibits the same base ground color of pearl gray as the Blue Bar, with an overlay of black checking on the wing shields. The term Blue Check actually refers to the density of the checker pattern. In the Blue Check, there will be a good amount of Iight gray under color. Approximately 50% under color and 50% checker pattern is the limit of checking that a bird can exhibit to be shown in the Blue Check class. Once the percentage of checking exceeds 50%, it then comes under the jurisdiction of the Black Check class. In both light and medium checks, it is desirable to have the rump color of the same base light gray with some checking. However, in light checks you rarely find this checking to exist. The neck, flight feathers and tail are the same color and shade as the Blue Bar. Beak and toe nails very dark, almost black. There is a tall band like the Blue Bar,
Undesirable: Smoky or dirty under color as well as light hocks, rump, vent and back.
Unacceptable: Occurrence of white feathers anywhere or white toe nails put the Blue Check in the Mismarked class.

Dark Check

   Desirable: The Dark Check has the same base ground color as the Blue Check with a heavier concentration of the checking. More than 50% of the wing shield is devoted to checking. When the checking has reached this abundance, the rump, back, thighs and vent should show checking also. The head, neck, breast and flights should be a shade darker than the Blue Check to compliment the tone and ratio of checking.
   Undesirable: Light back, rump, vent and hocks. Little or no checking on back, rump, vent and thighs. Smoky under color in wing shields.
   Unacceptable : Occurrence of white feathers anywhere or white toe nails or bronzing puts the Dark Check in the Mismarked class. (NOTE: The language for Dark Check has not been approved by the membership as of this printing.)

Black Check

(Medium to Black Velvet)

Desirable: The Black Check has the same base ground color as the Blue Bar and Blue Check, with a much heavier concentration of checking. More than 50% of the wing shield is devoted to checking, to the point that very little undercolor shows through. When the checking has reached this abundance the rump, back, thighs and vent should show checking also. The head, neck, breast and flights should be a shade darker than the Blue Bar and Blue Check to compliment the tone and ratio of checking. This checking becomes so extensive that no undercolor whatsoever can be seen; the head, neck, breast, back and rump are as black as the wing shields, When the color becomes this intense It is called a Black Velvet. Black Velvet is the extreme expression of Black Check. The Black Velvet should also show checking in the thighs and vent. The Black Velvet is not a high gloss jet black, but a velvety appearance. The beak and toe nails should be very dark, almost black. There is a tail band like the Blue Bar.
Undesirable: Light back/ rump, vent and hocks. Little or no checking on back, rump, vent and thighs. Smoky under color in wing shields. Unacceptable: Occurrence of white feathers anywhere or white toe- nails or bronzing put the Black Check in the Mismarked class.

Red Bar

   Desirable: The Red Bar has an under color of light pale ash beige. In some cases a frosty light cream, almost white color. The color should remain uniform throughout the wing shield, rump, hocks and vent. The head and neck in some instances are a darker shade with the neck showing iridescent green and purple color with the purple predominating, In some instances the head and neck remain the same color as the rest of the bird with no neck color. Sometimes there is a slight showing of the reddish color in the wing flights. The tail does not show the tail band as in the blue/black family. The bars should be a good, deep shade of ash red somewhat comparable to the color of a new brick. They should be of good width, clearly defined, two on each wing shield and come together where the wings fit over the rump. The bars should carry down and reach as close as possible to the leading edge of the wing. In some cocks, there will be a small black ticking or flecking in the flights and tail feathers. In some hens, the same ticking may occur, but it will be brown instead of black. Beaks and toe nails will vary from very dark to medium horn color and some cases so light it's almost white. (This is not a fault)
   Undesirable: Smoky or dirty under color. Thin or weakly defined bars. Light washed out bar color
   Unacceptable: Occurrence of pure white feathers anywhere. Black or brown flecking or spots, so excessive it distracts from the overall appearance of the bird. Penciling, sooty, mealy, strawberry markings or signs of a third bar. Any of the above would put the bird in the Mismarked class.

Red Check

(Light to Red Velvet)

Desirable: The Red Check should have the same under color as the Red Bar. A very light pale beige, in some cases coming very close to a light cream color, with an overlay on the wing shield of reddish checker pattern. This checker pattern may vary from a soft pale shade of brownish red to a dark red approximately the color of a new brick. The intensity of the pattern may vary from a modest amount to a very dense concentration which should cover the rump and underside of the bird. The Red Check class covers the full spectrum from light Red Check to Red Velvet. The neck and head may be of the same reddish color with an iridescent purplish green in the neck with purplish color predominating. Also acceptable is a very light frosty head and neck. Flights and tail feathers may vary from light to showing considerable amounts of the reddish coloration. In cocks, black ticking is permitted. Some hens may have brown ticking. There is not a tail band. Beaks and toe nails will vary from dark to medium horn color and some cases so light it's almost white. (This is not a fault.)
Unacceptable: Occurrence of white feathers anywhere or white toe nails. If the black or brown flecking becomes excessive enough to distract from the overall appearance of the ash red coloration.

Grizzle

Desirable: Grizzle is a dominant genetic modifying factor that can be placed on any color or pattern. It tends to show a salt and pepper pattern in most of the feathers in the heterozygous state. When a bird inherits the Grizzle factor from both parents (homozygous), it will generally be much lighter in color, in the ash red color/ the lightening is more pronounced than in the blue color. Depending on other modifying actors. Grizzles may have darker, iridescent colored heads and necks or lighter (frosty) heads and necks. The Grizzle may be over the “ T” pattern, check, barred or barless pattern, each causes a different expression. All such patterns and expressions are equally desirable except as noted in the section below. Beak and toe nails are generally very dark, almost black in blue colored birds and horn to flesh colored in red birds. Toe nails do not all need to be the same color. Eye cere and eye color to complement the color of the bird. This class is for Grizzles in the blue and red color classes listed prior to Grizzle in the judging order, Dominant Opal, Yellow, Silver and Rare Grizzles should be shown in the Dominant Opal, Yellow, Silver and Rare classes respectively.
Undesirable: Any bird with a weak or inconsistent manifestation of the Grizzle effect, such as one showing but a few speckles of white around the head and neck.
Unacceptable: Grizzle superimposed on any Rare color for which there is not a color class should be shown in the Rare class. Pure Whites should also be shown in the Rare class. Grizzles having one or more white fight feathers or solid, large white or dark patches are to be shown in the Mismarked class. Bull or black eyes are not acceptable.

Dominant Opal

   Desirable: Dominant Opal is a dominant genetic modifying factor that can be placed on any color or pattern. Generally the underlying pattern will show through and the expression varies from almost undetectable to white in places that are normally black in a blue pigeon. Generally the dark spots such as bars and checks are lightened, often they be- come either a tan or white color. The factor generally lightens the color, replacing the iridescent green in the neck and breast with a yellowish cast. In Ash Red it often can be a very light expression. Color should be an even tone throughout. Two well defined wing bars in check and bar pattern. Beak and toe nails black to gray in blue colored birds and horn to flesh colored in red birds. All toe nails the same color. Eye cere a grayish color. Class includes Dominant Opal Grizzles which do not need to have all toe nails the same color.
   Undesirable: Smoky or dirty under color or washing out to almost white in the underbelly, hocks, rump, vent or tail areas.
   Unacceptable: In bar pattern, any significant indication of a third bar or penciling would put the bird in the Mismarked class. Occurrence of white feathers or white toe nails put the bird in the Mismarked class.

Yellow

   Desirable : A rich, deep buff color to a soft light cream color, varying in intensity depending on the pattern. Generally, a little lighter in the tail, rump, back and underbelly, but free from graying. The neck showing a luster or iridescence that is not as noticeable as the green iridescence in a darker bird. May have a frosty iridescence in the neck. Color should be an even tone throughout. Two well defined deep buff wing bars in check and bar pattern. Beak and toe nails flesh colored to a light horn color. All toe nails the same color. Eye cere flesh colored to a grayish white color. Genetically the Dilute of Ash Red. Class includes Yellow Grizzles which do not need to have all toe nails the same color.
   Undesirable: Graying, smoky or dirty under color or washing out to almost white in the underbelly, hocks, rump, vent or tail areas.
   Unacceptable: In bar pattern, any significant indication of a third bar or penciling would put the bird in the Mismarked class. Occurrence of white feathers or white toe nails put the bird in the Mismarked class.

Silver

   Desirable: A deep dun color to a light silvery gray color, varying in intensity depending on the pattern. Generally, a little lighter in the tail, rump, back and underbelly, but free from white. The neck showing a luster or iridescence that is not as noticeable as the green iridescence in a blue bird. May have a frosty iridescence in the neck. Color should be an even tone throughout. Two well defined dun wing bars in check and bar pattern. Beak and toe nails gray to horn colored. All toe nails the same color. Eye cere flesh colored to a grayish white color. Genetically the dilute of blue. Class includes Silver Grizzles which do not need to have all toe nails the same color.
   Undesirable: Smoky or dirty under color or washing out to almost white in the underbelly, hocks, rump, vent or tail areas.
   Unacceptable: In bar pattern, any significant indication of a third bar or penciling would put the bird in the Mismarked class. Occurrence of white feathers or white toe nails put the bird in the Mismarked class.

Rare

   Desirable: Rare Show Racers are pigeons of any color or pattern not included in the standard color classes as indicated elsewhere in this book. These include: Spread Black, Indigo, Opal (Recessive), Andalusian. Almond, Brown, White, Reduced, Spread, Laced, Saddle Marked, Milky, Ice and any other colors or patterns not presently seen but which might be found in the future. At any time one of these Rare colors or markings becomes numerous enough so as to be shown in numbers sufficient to produce good competition, that Rare color or marking may be added to the standard color classes and a description written at that time. Show Superintendent has the authority to establish a class in any of the above colors and/or patterns whenever enough birds of that color/pattern are in a show so as to establish such competition for that show. Beak, toe nails and eye colors should complement the color of the bird and be constant. That is, all toe nails should be the same as should eyes.
   Undesirable: Poor color or pattern for the Rare is undesirable as for any class.
   Unacceptable: Occurrence of white feathers except for those birds whose color description accepts white, such as solid White birds. Saddle Marked birds and Grizzles (note allowance and disallowance for grizzles under Grizzle class and under Mismarked class). Rare in basic color, but showing white as described in the Mismarked class, must be shown as Mismarked. No bull eyes are allowed in Rare except in those birds whose pattern accepts white head.

Splash or Pied

   Desirable: A patchwork mixture of white and any other color with no less than 30 of the exposed feather surface area being white. See other color guideline section for the characteristics of the basic color of the bird. Class includes Splashes or Pieds of Rare colors. Toe nails can be a combination of white and colored. Bull or black eyes are desirable.
   Undesirable: Smoky or dirty under color or washing out to almost white on the underbelly, hocks, rump, vent or tail areas.
   Unacceptable: Birds that have less than 30 of the exposed feather surface being white are to be shown in the Mismarked class.

Mismarked

The term "Mismarked" shall apply to any of the aforementioned classes (see Grizzle explanation) exhibiting white or other signs of mismarking as described as unacceptable in the various classes. This shall include white ticks, white vent, white rump, white back, white flights (wing or tail, primary or secondary), white hocks or white toe nails (except where all toe nails may be very light in certain very light patterned red factored birds. They all must be of the same color and shade.) Pencil, sooty, mealy or strawberry markings or any sign of a 3rd bar are to be considered Mismarked. Any sharp break in color across the body (mosaic, dark to light very noticeable bank across the chest) shall be considered Mismarked.