This breed was imported from the island of Sicily over 100 years ago. Some poultry historians think its root date back to biblical times. This breed is name for its cup-shape comb, which looks like a crown and the golden color. The comb is a cupshaped crown with a complete circle of medium sized regular points. The comb is a genetic variation from two side-by-side single combs that eventually merged at the front and rear. The male and female do not look alike in coloring. The males are a rich, brilliant orange red with some black spangles in the feather of the body fluff and cape feathers at the base of the hackle; with lustrous, greenish black tail. The base color of the female is buff with all feathers on the body marked by parallel rows of black elongated spangles, giving the hen an appearance of being beautifully spotted and suggesting a ringneck pheasant hen. Skin color is yellow and shanks and toes are a willow green. Because of its unusual appearance the Buttercup is an excellent breed for exhibition projects.
The Buttercup is another member of the Mediterranean class. It lays small to medium size white eggs
The ALBC Priortiy is Study (Breed that are of interest but lack genetic or historical documentation