The science of budgerigar color genetics deals with the heredity of mutations which cause color variation in the feathers of the species known scientifically as Melopsittacus undulatus. Birds of this species are commonly known by the terms 'budgerigar', or informally just 'budgie'.
Melopsittacus undulatus at Chai-Negev, Revivim, Israel.
The wildtype (natural-coloured or wild occurring) budgerigar's color is called Lightgreen. The feathers of most parrot species, including budgerigars, contain both a black type of melanin named eumelanin along with a basic yellow pigment named psittacofulvin (psittacin for short). Some other parrot species produces a third pigment named advanced-psittacin which enables color & tones ranging from oranges, peaches, pinks to reds. When these feathers are exposed to a white light source, such as sunlight, only the blue part of the spectrum is reflected by the eumelanin granules. This reflected blue light passes through the yellow pigment layer, resulting in the green colouration known as lightgreen in only the budgerigar and/or green in any other naturally green coloured parrot species.
The many color variations of budgerigars, such as albino, blue, cinnamon, Clearwinged, the various Fallows, Grey, Greygreen, Greywing, Lutino, Mauve, Olive, Opaline, Spangled, Suffused and Violet are the result of mutations that have occurred within specific genes. There are actually at least thirty-two known primary mutations established among budgerigars. These can combine to form hundreds of secondary mutations and color varieties which may or may not be stable.
As is true with all animal species, color mutations occur in captivity as do in the wild. This has been demonstrated when captive-bred budgerigars have developed mutations that had only been previously recorded amongst wild populations.
Classification of mutationsedit
Because of albinism this budgerigar has virtually no eumelanin pigment. This, together with the Blue mutation which removes the yellow pigmentation, produces a nearly pure white colouration along with clear (orange) beak, pink feet/skin, white-tipped clear (pink) toe nails and red eyes.
Basic groupsedit
Each of the thirty-two primary mutations belong to one of the four basic groups of mutations classified in parrot species genetics:
Albinism: where eumelanin is either partially or completely reduced in all body tissues and structures.
In the first few decades of the 1900s, especially in-between World War I and II, the keeping and breeding of the budgerigar had become very popular all around the world. Consequently, various mutations occurred and were soon established during this period.
Timelineedit
1870–75 The very first registered sudden captive-bred color mutations were Suffused Green (a.k.a. Dilute Yellow), Greywinged Green and either one of the two types of Lutino (NSLino &/or SLino) mutations. All three occurred in aviaries in Britain or continental Europe. Of these three mutations, only the Suffused Green (a.k.a. Dilute Yellow) has survived. The latter was easily reproduced in great numbers and is nowadays very well established. The first Lutino mutation quickly vanished but it was re-established in Europe some time between 1931 and 1933.
1878–85 The Skyblue mutation suddenly occurred in continental Europe, most probably in Uccle, Belgium. Surprisingly, this variety was not imported in England until 1910.
1915 Single-Factored Dark-Green (a.k.a. Dark-Green) in France (where they were then commonly called 'Laurel' which is the French word for Bay (leaf &/or tree))
1916 Double-Factored Dark-Green (a.k.a. Olive) in France.
1918–28 Respectively, Greywinged Green and Greywinged Blue appeared in England and continental Europe.
1920
Crest-Factor in Australia.
Suffused Blue (a.k.a. Dilute White) in England and France.
Single-Factored Dark_Blue (a.k.a. Cobalt) in France.
1921 Double-Factored Dark_Blue (a.k.a. Mauve) in France.
1930
Single-Factored Violet-Green (a.k.a. Violet Factor) in Australia (and were then 1st commonly called 'Satin Green')
The first Clearwinged Green (Yellowinged) appeared, developed by H. Pier in Sydney.
1931
Cinnamon in England, Australia & Germany.
An unknown type of Fallow in California, U.S. This soon vanished.
The Germanfallow in Germany, recently been genetically classified and identified as the Bronzefallow (a.k.a. Brownfallow).
A plum-eyed mutation, similar looking to Fallow mutations, occurred in England. This vanished or at least became very rare. This mutation was most probably the Brownwings, one of the rarest color mutations of the species.
The first Albino specimens were produced in both England and continental Europe.
1932
Three Fallow mutations occurred in England which became known as the Englishfallow. In Australia these have been genetically classified and identified as the Dunfallow or Greybrownfallow (a.k.a. Australianfallow). The Beigefallow or Palebrownfallow has been classified in South-Africa, but no reference seems to be available on this particular mutation.
The recessive Anti-dimorphic Pied (a.k.a. Danish Pied a.k.a. Harlequin) in Denmark.
The Australian (a.k.a. Banded) Pied in Australia.
1933
Green Clearwinged (a.k.a. Yellow Wing) and Dominant Grey-Factor appear in Australia.
Both the NSL & the SL Lutino gene occurred in England and continental Europe.
Three Opaline mutations occurred. An Opaline Green hen was captured in the wild and sold to S. Terril in Adelaide. It was later-on reproduced and is most probably the ancestor of all Opaline specimens in Australia. Two sudden captive-bred Opaline mutations occurred in England and the Netherlands.
1934 Recessive grey factor in England.
1935 The various Yellowfaced_Blue and Goldenfaced_Blue occurred in several locations.
1939–46 Clearflighted_Dutchpied in Belgium.
1948
Texas Clearbodied (a.k.a. SL-Clearbody) in the U.S.
Dominant Clearbodied (a.k.a. Easley's Clearbodied) in the U.S.
The first Cinnamon-Ino (a.k.a. Lacewings) cross-over mutation was produced in Australia.
The first Dark-Eyed-Clear (DEC) variety was produced in Belgium by combining the ADM Pied (a.k.a. Danish/Recessive pied) with either one of the two Dutchpied varieties (Continental or Clearflighted).
1970–74 Single-Factored and Double-Factored Spangled specimens were produced in Australia.
1975 Saddleback specimens were produced in Australia.
1992 Blackface specimens make their first appearance in the Netherlands.
2010 White Cap bred in Australia. These birds have a yellow face, but with a white cap.
Notesedit
It is possible that the Greywings mutation survived as the ancestor of all actual Greywings. However, it could be that the mutation lay dormant in asymptomatic mutant specimens until it was re-established between 1918 and 1925. Blue Greywing specimens were produced later on in 1928.
It is possible that all Suffused mutation specimens and their varieties are descendants from the first captive mutant specimens. This would mean that Suffused is the oldest sudden captive-bred color mutation of the Budgerigar species.
Martin, Terry (2002). A Guide To Colour Mutations and Genetics in Parrots. ABK Publications. ISBN0-9577024-6-9.
Hayward, Jim (1992). The Manual of Colour Breeding. The Aviculturist Publications. ISBN0-9519098-0-0.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Domesticated budgerigars by colour.
Martin Rasek's Budgerigar Genetic calculator
Inte Onsman's MUTAVI Research and Advice Group
Budgie Genetic Explorer
February 15, 2024
budgerigar, colour, genetics, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, july, 2023, le. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations July 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message The science of budgerigar color genetics deals with the heredity of mutations which cause color variation in the feathers of the species known scientifically as Melopsittacus undulatus Birds of this species are commonly known by the terms budgerigar or informally just budgie Melopsittacus undulatus at Chai Negev Revivim Israel Contents 1 Background 2 Classification of mutations 2 1 Basic groups 2 2 Dominance relationship 2 3 Table of primary mutations 3 History 3 1 Timeline 3 2 Notes 4 References 5 External linksBackground editThe wildtype natural coloured or wild occurring budgerigar s color is called Lightgreen The feathers of most parrot species including budgerigars contain both a black type of melanin named eumelanin along with a basic yellow pigment named psittacofulvin psittacin for short Some other parrot species produces a third pigment named advanced psittacin which enables color amp tones ranging from oranges peaches pinks to reds When these feathers are exposed to a white light source such as sunlight only the blue part of the spectrum is reflected by the eumelanin granules This reflected blue light passes through the yellow pigment layer resulting in the green colouration known as lightgreen in only the budgerigar and or green in any other naturally green coloured parrot species The many color variations of budgerigars such as albino blue cinnamon Clearwinged the various Fallows Grey Greygreen Greywing Lutino Mauve Olive Opaline Spangled Suffused and Violet are the result of mutations that have occurred within specific genes There are actually at least thirty two known primary mutations established among budgerigars These can combine to form hundreds of secondary mutations and color varieties which may or may not be stable As is true with all animal species color mutations occur in captivity as do in the wild This has been demonstrated when captive bred budgerigars have developed mutations that had only been previously recorded amongst wild populations Classification of mutations edit nbsp Because of albinism this budgerigar has virtually no eumelanin pigment This together with the Blue mutation which removes the yellow pigmentation produces a nearly pure white colouration along with clear orange beak pink feet skin white tipped clear pink toe nails and red eyes Basic groups edit Each of the thirty two primary mutations belong to one of the four basic groups of mutations classified in parrot species genetics Albinism where eumelanin is either partially or completely reduced in all body tissues and structures Dilution where eumelanin is partially reduced in only feathering Leucism where eumelanin is completely reduced from total or localized feathering Melanism where eumelanin is increased in the feathering Dominance relationship edit These mutations are inherited through one of the following dominance relationships autosomal Co Dominant A Co D autosomal Complete Dominant A C D autosomal Incomplete Dominant A I D autosomal recessive A R autosomal Poly Genic A P G Sex Linked recessive S L R Table of primary mutations edit Mutation s Common names amp varieties Type Wild type symbol locus Allele symbol Dominance relationshipDark D Green Dark Green D Blue Cobalt DD Green Olive amp DD Blue Mauve Structural D D A I DBlue 1 Blue series color b b1 recessive with other b locus alleles except b2 else A RBlue 2 Blue series color b b2 recessive with other b locus alleles except b1 else A RBlue 1 Blue 2 Yellowface I color b b1 b2 Hetero allelic mutation produced by crossing Blue 1 amp Blue 2 varieties Yellowface Yellowface II color b byf Dominant with other b locus alleles except gf else A RGoldenface Goldenface color b bgf Dominant with other b locus alleles else A RCrest Factor C F Circular Crested Semicircular Crested amp Tufted Structural Cr Cr A P GDominant Grey Australian Grey amp Greygreen Structural G G A C DEnglish Grey English Grey amp Greygreen Structural g g A I D rare or extinct Anthracite Anthracite Structural An An A I D rare Recessive Grey amp Greygreen Australian recessive greygreen amp grey Structural rg rg A R extremely rare or extinct Slate Slate bluish gray Structural sl sl S L RViolet SF Violet SF Violet Green SF Violet Blue Violet Skyblue DF Violet Green pure Violet Green amp DF Violet Blue pure VIOLET SF Violet D Blue show Violet DF Violet D Blue VIOLET Mauve Structural V V A I DDilute Suffused Green Dilute Yellow and Suffused Blue Dilute White Dilution dil dils A RClearwing CW Clearwing Green Yellowing amp Clearwing Blue Whitewing Dilution dil dilcw A Co D with dilgw allele A D over dild allele else A RGreywing GW Greywing Green amp Greywing Blue Dilution dil dilgw A Co D with dilcw allele A D over dild allele else A RGreywing Clearwing Fullbodied Greywing Green amp Fullbodied Greywing Blue Dilution dil dilcw dilgw Hetero allelic mutation produced by crossing Clearwing amp Greywing varieties ADMpied a k a Recessivepied Anti Dimorphic Pied Danishpied Harlequin Local Leucism s s A RPiebald Australian Pied Australian Pied Banded Pied Local Leucism Pb Pb A C DPiednape Continental Dutchpied amp Clearflighted Dutchpied Local Leucism Pi Pi A C DClear Pied Black Eyed Clear a k a Dark Eyed Clear Total Leucism Pi s Pi s A Co D Clear Yellow amp White morphs produced by combining SF amp or DF Clearflighted Dutchpied with Homozygous ADMpied a k a RecessivepiedSpangle Factor Sp SF Spangled showtype typical mutation amp DF Spangled clear white amp or clear yellow pure mutation Total Leucism Sp Sp A I DNSLino Non Sex Linked Ino a k a Recessive Ino NSL Complete Albinism a a a A R extremely rare or extinct Bronzefallow German Fallow NSL Incomplete Albinism a abz A RBrown amp or Sepia Brownwinged NSL Incomplete Albinism b b Presumed A Co D with only a Locus alleles else exclusively inclusively A R extremely rare or extinct Faded NSL Incomplete Albinism fd fd A R extremely rare Palefallow Australianfallow Beigefallow Palebrownfallow NSL Incomplete Albinism pf pf A RDunfallow English Fallow NSL Incomplete Albinism df df A RScottish Fallow a k a Plumeyed Fallow Scottish Fallow NSL Incomplete Albinism pl pl A RCinnamon Cinnamon SL Incomplete Albinism cin cin S L RIno Albino Lutino SL Complete Albinism ino ino S L RCinnamon Ino Lacewing SL Incomplete Albinism cin ino cin ino S L R cross over 3 frequency between Cinnamon amp Ino LociSex linked Clearbody Texas Clearbody Partial Albinistic Par ino ino inocl SL Co D with other ino locus alleles else S L RBlackfaced BF Melanism bf bf A RDarkwinged DW Modifier dw dw A Co D only noticeably expressive in combination with dil Locus alleles and with Greywinged amp Suffused Dominant Clearbody Easley Clearbody Pigment redistributing Cl Cl A C DOpaline Opaline Pigment redistributing op op S L RSaddlebacked SB Local Leucism sb sb A R extremely rare or extinct History editIn the first few decades of the 1900s especially in between World War I and II the keeping and breeding of the budgerigar had become very popular all around the world Consequently various mutations occurred and were soon established during this period Timeline edit 1870 75 The very first registered sudden captive bred color mutations were Suffused Green a k a Dilute Yellow Greywinged Green and either one of the two types of Lutino NSLino amp or SLino mutations All three occurred in aviaries in Britain or continental Europe Of these three mutations only the Suffused Green a k a Dilute Yellow has survived The latter was easily reproduced in great numbers and is nowadays very well established The first Lutino mutation quickly vanished but it was re established in Europe some time between 1931 and 1933 1878 85 The Skyblue mutation suddenly occurred in continental Europe most probably in Uccle Belgium Surprisingly this variety was not imported in England until 1910 1915 Single Factored Dark Green a k a Dark Green in France where they were then commonly called Laurel which is the French word for Bay leaf amp or tree 1916 Double Factored Dark Green a k a Olive in France 1918 28 Respectively Greywinged Green and Greywinged Blue appeared in England and continental Europe 1920 Crest Factor in Australia Suffused Blue a k a Dilute White in England and France Single Factored Dark Blue a k a Cobalt in France 1921 Double Factored Dark Blue a k a Mauve in France 1930 Single Factored Violet Green a k a Violet Factor in Australia and were then 1st commonly called Satin Green The first Clearwinged Green Yellowinged appeared developed by H Pier in Sydney 1931 Cinnamon in England Australia amp Germany An unknown type of Fallow in California U S This soon vanished The Germanfallow in Germany recently been genetically classified and identified as the Bronzefallow a k a Brownfallow A plum eyed mutation similar looking to Fallow mutations occurred in England This vanished or at least became very rare This mutation was most probably the Brownwings one of the rarest color mutations of the species The first Albino specimens were produced in both England and continental Europe 1932 Three Fallow mutations occurred in England which became known as the Englishfallow In Australia these have been genetically classified and identified as the Dunfallow or Greybrownfallow a k a Australianfallow The Beigefallow or Palebrownfallow has been classified in South Africa but no reference seems to be available on this particular mutation The recessive Anti dimorphic Pied a k a Danish Pied a k a Harlequin in Denmark The Australian a k a Banded Pied in Australia 1933 Green Clearwinged a k a Yellow Wing and Dominant Grey Factor appear in Australia Both the NSL amp the SL Lutino gene occurred in England and continental Europe Three Opaline mutations occurred An Opaline Green hen was captured in the wild and sold to S Terril in Adelaide It was later on reproduced and is most probably the ancestor of all Opaline specimens in Australia Two sudden captive bred Opaline mutations occurred in England and the Netherlands 1934 Recessive grey factor in England 1935 The various Yellowfaced Blue and Goldenfaced Blue occurred in several locations 1939 46 Clearflighted Dutchpied in Belgium 1948 Texas Clearbodied a k a SL Clearbody in the U S Dominant Clearbodied a k a Easley s Clearbodied in the U S The first Cinnamon Ino a k a Lacewings cross over mutation was produced in Australia The first Dark Eyed Clear DEC variety was produced in Belgium by combining the ADM Pied a k a Danish Recessive pied with either one of the two Dutchpied varieties Continental or Clearflighted 1970 74 Single Factored and Double Factored Spangled specimens were produced in Australia 1975 Saddleback specimens were produced in Australia 1992 Blackface specimens make their first appearance in the Netherlands 2010 White Cap bred in Australia These birds have a yellow face but with a white cap Notes edit It is possible that the Greywings mutation survived as the ancestor of all actual Greywings However it could be that the mutation lay dormant in asymptomatic mutant specimens until it was re established between 1918 and 1925 Blue Greywing specimens were produced later on in 1928 It is possible that all Suffused mutation specimens and their varieties are descendants from the first captive mutant specimens This would mean that Suffused is the oldest sudden captive bred color mutation of the Budgerigar species References editThis article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations February 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message Martin Terry 2002 A Guide To Colour Mutations and Genetics in Parrots ABK Publications ISBN 0 9577024 6 9 Hayward Jim 1992 The Manual of Colour Breeding The Aviculturist Publications ISBN 0 9519098 0 0 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Domesticated budgerigars by colour Martin Rasek s Budgerigar Genetic calculator Inte Onsman s MUTAVI Research and Advice Group Clive Hesford s The Genetics of Colour in the Budgerigar and other Parrots website Budgie Colors and Mutations Guide World Budgerigar Organization s Colour Standards Down Under Aviary s Genetics page Budgerigar Galore s Genetics Articles Budgie Genetic Explorer Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Budgerigar colour genetics amp oldid 1167777443, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
