The Sumatra is a breed native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The birds originally imported to Europe for cockfighting, but now they are almost a purely exhibition breed. In 1883, the Black Sumatra was accepted into the American Standard of Perfection. They were brought into Britain in 1902 by Frederick R Eaton of Norwich. They are on the critical list and breeders all over the world but mainly in the UK and America are doing all they can to save the breed from extinction.

Sumatras sport pea combs, red or reddish-black wattles and earlobes (almost all black in hens), and slate-dark legs and feet. Sumatras have attractive plumage colors including; blue, white, splash and black. Both roosters and hens have long Pheasant-like tail feathers, with the males' saddle feathers almost touching the ground. Sumatras are also described as excellent flyers. Sumatra hens are poor layers with yearly totals of almost 100 white eggs, and are exceptionally susceptible to broodiness. The roosters weigh 2.25 - 2.7 kg; and the hens usually weigh 1.8 kg.