The Modena is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Modenas along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all descendants of the rock dove (Columba livia).
The breed comes in many different colors in two main varieties, Gazzi and Schietti. Gazzi is a pied marking with the head and portion of the throat, the wings and the tail colored and the rest of the bird being white. Schiettis are non-pied. It is a very popular breed of pigeon. The American Pigeon Journal devoted an entire issue to it in June 1957 and again in October 1962
The breed is of Italian origin and derives its name from the city of Modena where it was first bred centuries ago. This breed is also now found in Oshikoto region of Namibia in Onayena constituency.