EYESIGN 100
 Author Mike Van der Jagt. Orillia, Ontario, Canada

Mike is a well known and successful flyer with a large combine and difficult course.The Ontario Up North Combine. In 2004 alone winning 5X1st with a team of 12 widowhood cocks. Mike's views are published with permission and the hope they will help someone understand the essentials that can be applied especially when selecting breeding pairs. Always placing family history and the birds performance first.

The image has North American terms. The designation of the eye areas can vary  "expert to expert" depending who's article is being read. Perhaps one day eye enthusiast will agree on common terms and eliminate much of the confusion.


Eyesign, in a nutshell, refers to the circle of correlation or CC. This is the pigmented ring that encircles the pupil. It comes in many different colors and shades. The wider this ring is the better. This ring will often have an uneven appearance (be wider in some spots than in others). When facing the eye, think of the pupil as a clock face. The back of the pupil, or the area from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock traveling clockwise is the breeding area. The front of the eye, or continuing to travel clockwise, the area from 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock is the racing area. If the circle of correlation (CC) is wider at the front, the bird is a racer, if it is wider at the back, the bird is a breeder.
The iris is the pigmented area that runs from the CC to the outside edge of the eye. The color underlying the iris and visible through the blood vessels of the iris will be either yellow or gray. If it is yellow you have a yellow eyed bird, if it is gray, you have a pearl eyed bird.

Breed from your birds with the widest CC, particularly in the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 o'clock area of the eye. The birds with the widest CC in the 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 o'clock area of the eye should be your best racers.
Try and pair very contrasting eyes together. The more contrast between the eye of the cock and the eye of the hen the better. When possible, always mate a yellow eyed bird to a pearl eyed bird.

First and foremost always remember that eyesign is simply an indicator of a bird's potential. It does not make the bird good. Only actual racing or breeding can determine for sure if a bird is good or not. All other aspects of selection and good care and management must be in place for anyone to be a successful racing pigeon enthusiast.

Eyesign according to other's can be found at these links.
Click the blue links

The Alberta Classic - Jack Barkel - Josef Hofman - Steven van Breemen - Nigel Cowood - An excellent interactive description

LeTour Des Maritimes     Several links available.

Bill "The Book" Richardson

The results of a poll by myself.