White-Faced Black Spanish Bantam

The White-Faced Black Spanish Bantam is a Mediterranean-type bird, characterized by a slender, graceful, and upright posture. The most striking feature is the extensive white face, which consists of smooth, white skin that extends from the base of the comb down past the wattles, joining with large, oval, white earlobes.

• Comb: A medium-sized single comb with five well-defined points.
• Eyes: Dark brown to brownish-black.
• Legs: Clean (unfeathered) and a distinct slate-blue color.
• Plumage: Tight, hard, and lustrously black with a green sheen.

Roosters typically weigh between 28-32 oz (800-900g), while hens weigh between 25-28 oz (700-800g). They carry their bodies in a stretched, rectangular shape with a sloping backline.

While the large fowl version was historically a prolific layer, the bantam variety is primarily kept for ornamental and exhibition purposes. Hens are capable of laying approximately 100 eggs per year.

• Egg Color: Pure white.
• Egg Size: Relatively large for a bantam, averaging around 1.4 oz (40g).
• Broodiness: This breed is rarely broody and hens generally do not make reliable mothers, as their focus was genetically selected for appearance over maternal instincts.

Gender differences in this breed are quite pronounced due to the size of the head ornaments. The rooster features a large, upright single comb and long, thin wattles. His tail is carried at a medium-high angle with graceful, well-curved sickles.

The hen is more horizontal in her stance and features a smaller comb that typically stands upright at the front and folds gracefully to one side at the back. Her tail is carried slightly closed. Interestingly, while both sexes possess the white face, the hen's face and comb often appear a deeper purplish-red when not in peak laying condition compared to the rooster.

As a Mediterranean breed, they are sensitive to extreme cold. The large surface area of their combs, wattles, and especially their delicate facial skin makes them highly susceptible to frostbite. During harsh winters, it is recommended to apply acid-free Vaseline to their combs and faces to provide a protective barrier.

They thrive best in dry, temperate environments and require a draft-free, well-insulated coop. Their white faces can also be damaged by muddy or dirty conditions, so a clean environment is essential to maintain their exhibition quality.

Standardized standards, including the KLN, generally recognize only the Black variety. The plumage must be a deep, solid black with a brilliant beetle-green luster. Any white feathers outside of the facial area are considered a major fault in competition.

While the large fowl ancestors originated in Spain and were brought to England via Holland, the bantam version was specifically developed in England. The bantam variety was first exhibited in London in the late 19th century.

The breed faced a period of extreme rarity and nearly vanished from the hobby. However, a dedicated group of breeders in Germany and England promoted the breed in the 1980s and 90s, leading to a modest revival in its popularity among exhibition enthusiasts.