It derives from birds imported in the nineteenth century from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia as fighting cocks.

[9]: 86 The original colour of the Sumatra was the black – often with a rich beetle-green sheen – which was added to the American Standard of Perfection in 1883, and was standardised in Britain in 1906.

The beak, face, earlobes, throat, comb, shanks and feet are as dark as possible, preferably black.

[8]: 306 The Sumatra retains a strong flying ability, unlike most modern chicken breeds.

[citation needed] Hens are good layers of white or cream-coloured eggs, of which they may lay about 130 per year.