Modenas

A loft of Modenas
Photo courtesy of Paradox

This is an old Italian breed, named after the city of Modena. It was originally developed there for use in an aerial sport where the birds were trained to fly to flag movements. The idea was to have your flock pull birds out of other flocks and bring them back to your loft.

This short "cobby"-bodied bird exists in more than 100 varieties. Two main types occur: the Gazzi (pronounced gad-zi), is white except for the head, upper throat, wings, flights and tail; the Schietti (ske-etty), except in the self white form, lacks any white. A good Modena is a "well-rounded" or "boat-shaped" bird.