The Helmet is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Helmets, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants of the rock dove (Columba livia). The breed has medium-faced, short-faced, plain-headed and crested varieties. It comes in several colors including: Blue, Black, Red, and Yellow. Helmet pigeons have been referenced since the early 15th century and appear to have origins in Germany. The modern varieties were refined in the latter 20th century. The American Pigeon Journal, the leading pigeon magazine in American devoted an entire issue to the breed for December 1968.