Hungarian
The Hungarian Giant Pigeon is one of the largest oldest pigeon breeds in Hungary. They were given the nickname "Queen of Pigeons". It has been a common breed in Nagyalföld, for hundreds of years. Their ancestors most likely come from Türkiye, and were nationalized during the Era of Turkish occupation of Lower Hungary (Hódoltság Kora). From its beak to its tail, the Hungarian Giant Pigeon can measure up to 45–50 cm and a height of 25–28 cm. It has stronger bones compared to common pigeons. The female's weight is at minimum 800 grams and 900-1000 g. for males. Because of their large size they were often used as squabbing pigeons in the U.S. during the 1920s Originally white, they now exist in black, grey and brown. Currently there are about 1500 living in Hungary.
| Life Span | 6-15 years |
| Weight | 0.2-0.5 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Hungarian
Finding a responsible Hungarian 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 Hungarian. 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 Hungarians 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 Hungarian breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
Search USDA Breeders
