The question we get most: "How much is a Ghuzar?" — and the honest answer: there is no single number. The same breed can go for a few hundred pounds at the Friday market and for thousands at an auction between known breeders. The difference is not a scam — it comes down to specific factors you can measure yourself.
1. The breed and the branch within it
The Egyptian Ghuzar is not one breed — under it sit branches like Ablaq, Meswed, Safi, Qatqati and Talaween. Each branch has different demand in the market, and demand changes from governorate to governorate. Rare branches, or those whose specification is hard to achieve (colour and markings together), are naturally dearer.
2. Markings and conformity to the standard
A bird "close to the standard" and a bird "matching the standard" differ a lot in price. The standard is not a personal opinion — it is published on every breed's page in the encyclopedia with the judging criteria and their weights. To understand how a judge sees the bird, read Reading the judging criteria.
A simple rule: one visible fault in a heavily weighted criterion (the kantara, say) lowers the price more than three light faults in minor ones.
3. A documented pedigree
A bird from known, documented parents — with its pedigree tree in your hands — is priced completely differently from a bird that is "nice but unknown." The reason is not prestige: a pedigree reduces risk. Whoever buys for breeding is paying for probabilities: the chance the young turn out like the sire. Without a pedigree that chance is unknown.
On Ghuzar the pedigree tree is built in the app when you link the bird to its registered parents, and it shows in the bird's file, which a buyer can open by scanning the QR.
4. Prizes and an official evaluation
A bird that placed in a documented competition, or that has an official committee evaluation with a written score, carries a "third-party certificate" in its price. On Ghuzar the evaluation is requested from the app or from the digital store, and the score and certificate go into the bird's file permanently.
5. Age and condition
- A squab (under 3 months): cheaper because the final shape has not shown yet — you are buying a probability.
- An adult in its first year: the most expensive period — the shape is settled and years of breeding lie ahead.
- An older bird (5 years and up): drops again unless its pedigree or output is exceptional.
Health shows in the price immediately: full plumage, a clear eye, proper weight, and a vaccination record. A bird missing feathers at sale time sells below its value even if it is excellent — wait for the moult to finish.
6. The seller's own verification
Buyers pay more to a verified, known seller because they are buying peace of mind. On Ghuzar a verified account carries a ✓ after admin review, and you can see the verified members directory on the website. Verifying your account is requested from the app or from the store.
How to find the real price right now
- Finished auctions in the app — the price an auction closed at is the truest number in the market (not the price the seller asked).
- The market — compare birds of the same branch and age.
- Ask the breeders' community with a clear photo and the ring number — and don't take one opinion.
Advice for sellers
Photograph the bird in natural light from 3 angles, write the branch, age and pedigree honestly, and register it on Ghuzar before you list it — a bird with a QR file sells faster and for more because the buyer can verify it themselves.
In the end the price is an agreement between two people — but whoever understands these factors negotiates from strength.
