Color Genetics
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Contact Information:
jaie@indianringneck.net
jaie@indianringneck.net
Copyright 2008 Krameri Aviaries: www.indianringneck.net All Rights Reserved
The Blue Mutation
This mutation is by far the most popular among pet
owners. Quite understandably so. Soft pastel tones
of powder blue body feathers coupled with crimson
red beaks and dark flights make for a stunningly
attractive bird.
In the color breeding scenario, the Blue mutation is
quite indispensable as it is essential in identifying
and emphasizing psittacofulvin-free mutations such
as the rare Dark (Cobalt) and Violet factors.
The Blue mutation eliminates the production of
yellow pigments, also called psittacofulvins or
carotenoids. This results in Blue-colored feathers
among birds (including IRNs) whose normal color is
otherwise Green. The Blue mutation will NOT always
produce Blue feathers across all parrot species. As
an example, in African Grey parrots where the
normal color is Grey, the Blue mutation will be
expressed as white feathers once the yellow-based
pigments are removed from the normally red tail.
Hence, a Blue mutation African Grey will be a grey
bird with a white tail.
This mutation is by far the most popular among pet
owners. Quite understandably so. Soft pastel tones
of powder blue body feathers coupled with crimson
red beaks and dark flights make for a stunningly
attractive bird.
In the color breeding scenario, the Blue mutation is
quite indispensable as it is essential in identifying
and emphasizing psittacofulvin-free mutations such
as the rare Dark (Cobalt) and Violet factors.
The Blue mutation eliminates the production of
yellow pigments, also called psittacofulvins or
carotenoids. This results in Blue-colored feathers
among birds (including IRNs) whose normal color is
otherwise Green. The Blue mutation will NOT always
produce Blue feathers across all parrot species. As
an example, in African Grey parrots where the
normal color is Grey, the Blue mutation will be
expressed as white feathers once the yellow-based
pigments are removed from the normally red tail.
Hence, a Blue mutation African Grey will be a grey
bird with a white tail.
There is no such thing as Blue feather pigments in IRNs, or in any other parrot for that
matter. This mutation is classified as a structural mutation meaning the Blue color as we
see it is produced by the bending of light (constructive interference) deep in the feather
medulla (AKA cloudy region) as the light rays hit the melanin cells.
The mode of inheritance for the Blue mutation is autosomal recessive. Both parents need
to have the Blue gene in order to produce Blue offsprings.
Additionally, the Blue locus is known to be linked in the same chromosome as the
Dark-factor locus - the mutation responsible for the Cobalt color. Because of this linkage,
producing Cobalt IRNs is significantly more difficult.
matter. This mutation is classified as a structural mutation meaning the Blue color as we
see it is produced by the bending of light (constructive interference) deep in the feather
medulla (AKA cloudy region) as the light rays hit the melanin cells.
The mode of inheritance for the Blue mutation is autosomal recessive. Both parents need
to have the Blue gene in order to produce Blue offsprings.
Additionally, the Blue locus is known to be linked in the same chromosome as the
Dark-factor locus - the mutation responsible for the Cobalt color. Because of this linkage,
producing Cobalt IRNs is significantly more difficult.
