Storm Crow

A rare breed of roller pigeon, most likely resulting from a deliberate cross of the Galatz Roller and Berlin Long Faced Tumpler by San Francisco area fanciers. With dramatic dark black plumage and elongated features, it is easy to differentiate from other common urban doves. Both males and females develop vivid reddish-orange rictal bristles when fully mature. The shade of orange is often compared to the international orange of San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Bridge.

A pair of Storm Crows, long-shanked and imperturbable, parted the roiling mass of doves on the street below, like a hot blade through crème fraîche