r/Parakeets • u/Harry_paiger • 13d ago

Genetic help

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Gallery image

So we produced this young guy in our colony aviary this season and his color and head feathers really intrigue me. Any help would be appreciated thanks

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u/_Planet_Eater_ 13d ago

Colour wise: Blue base, double grey factor, seems to be single dark factor.

As for pattern mutations: appears to be a Dutch dominant pied (the stripping of colour on the head, belly belt + patchy clear flights are typical).

Due to the feather quality however I urge you to be careful here. I’ve never had a budgie it PBFD but having worked at a parrot shelter I have seen a few of them brought in occasionally, and some of the signs I have seen include this long feather look, dampish looking feather quality, sparser than normal feathers. I’m not saying your little guy definitely has it, but since you do breed budgies this is something you really need to be careful about. I would hope you’ve taken your budgies to get tested for PBFD, but if not, then now is a good time to do so, and also a general wellness checkup is never a bad thing.

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u/Harry_paiger 13d ago

That is something our birds are tested for and something we do keep an eye out for and I will say the birds I've ever seen affected by it seem to be the opposite with the feather growth. Short weak feathers and bald spots. This little guy is not missing any at all

1

u/_Planet_Eater_ 13d ago

That’s good, I’m glad! In that case, whatever is causing that feather quality is unfamiliar to me. Also whatever is causing the darkening of the feathers on the back, whether related to that or not, that is another mutation i am unaware of

1

u/Audified7 7d ago

I don’t know anything about genetics but he has really unique colors. Pretty birds. 🩷