Gimpel
The Archangel (Latin: Columba illyrica, Croatian: Arkanđeo, Albanian: Pëllumbi ilir) is a breed of fancy pigeon, notable for the metallic sheen of its feathers. Archangels, along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons, are all descendants from the rock pigeon (Columba livia). It is kept as an ornamental or fancy breed, valued for its unusual appearance. Archangels are small, weighing about 12 oz. They have unfeathered legs and dark orange eyes. They may or may not be crested. The body of the bird is bronze or gold with wings that are either black, white, or blue. This breed is also known as the Gimpel, which is German for Eurasian bullfinch. The United States is the only country in which all color forms are referred to as "Archangels". In Great Britain, only the black and copper colored birds are called Archangels as the black and copper color type was created in Great Britain. The Archangel is known as Gimpeltaube in Germany, where most color types were refined. This is a very old breed; the most likely place origin is Dalmatia / Illyria. Breeders maintain consistency within the breed by following the breed standard.
| Life Span | 6-15 years |
| Weight | 0.2-0.5 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Gimpel
Finding a responsible Gimpel breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells pigeons commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Gimpel. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Gimpels appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Gimpel breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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