Ablaq Sokrota

Beautiful and distinctive, a foundation house of the Ablaq that has not received the attention it deserves — much of the free stock was lost to crossing over the past four decades. The Sokrota is a single strain, the one called Istanbuli. It carries the highest forehead of any Ablaq house and the widest eye opening of any Ghuzar pigeon, with one of the most beautiful eyes in all pigeons: black pupil, a very pale olive iris close to the colour of mastic, and a speckled mastic ring. Apricot shoulders and cheeks in the same single shade, with no frosting. Its unique mark is the tear: a free Sokrota's eyes always water, and the tears run down its cheeks when handled.