Lady Gouldian Finch - Colour Mutations
Based on the 2005 guidelines and terminology suggested by...
A Guide to Gouldian Finches & Their Mutations
ABK Publications
I have found this book to be far and away the best and most comprehensive guide
to Gouldian genetics available. However, I also find the excellent information to
be presented in a very disorganised, chaotic and confusing manner, requiring great
effort on the part of the reader to make sense of it.
So, to save my fellow finch breeders the same effort that I've been through(!) below
is the translation that I made for myself of the main Gouldian Finch colour mutations.
I hope that it's helpful!
Stephanie Thompson
(Please notify corrections/suggestions to 'finchesATfinchstuffDOTcom'.)
Green (= Normal)
Inheritance: Dominant.
Details:
- Rich mid-green, with
slight iridescence in the male.
- Female slightly duller.
- All Normal markings
present.
Blue
Inheritance: Autosomal
Recessive.
Details:
- All Green feathers
are replaced by Blue.
- Red and Orange head
feathers are replaced by Beige.
- Yellow belly feathers
are replaced by Cream or Beige.
Notes:
- Babies fledge Grey-blue.
- Split Blues can sometimes be identified
by those with good colour vision (more often women) by a subtle Blue/dull wash through
the Green feathers.
Seagreen
Inheritance: Uncertain:
Possibly Autosomal Recessive. Appears to be a Parblue. May be Acquired.
Details:
- Green feathers replaced by a compromise
between Blue and Green.
- Red and Orange head
feathers are slightly reduced in intensity.
- Yellow belly feathers
are slightly paler.
Pastel, sex-linked
= Yellow-back, Single & Double Factor
Inheritance: Co-dominant,
sex-linked. The Pastel gene causes dilution of any back colour, be it Green, Blue
or other variations.
Details:
Hens are always Single Factor
(SF):
-
SF Pastel Green hens appear
Yellow. Black markings are replaced by extremely pale Grey or White. Blue markings
are replaced by extremely pale Blue-grey or White.
-
SF Pastel Blue hens appear White or Silver-white. Black
markings are replaced by extremely pale Grey or White. Blue markings are replaced
by extremely pale Blue-grey or White.
Cocks can be Single Factor
or Double Factor (DF):
- SF Pastel Green cocks range
from pale Green to Yellow-green. Black markings are replaced by Grey. Blue markings
range from pale Blue to extremely pale Blue-grey.
- DF Pastel Green cocks appear Yellow. Black markings are replaced
by White. Blue markings are replaced by extremely pale Blue-grey or White.
-
SF Pastel Blue cocks
are powder Blue. Black markings
are replaced by Grey. Blue markings range from pale Blue to extremely pale Blue-grey.
- DF Pastel Blue
cocks are Silver-white.
Black markings are replaced by White. Blue markings are replaced by extremely pale
Blue-grey or White.
Variations:
- White-breasted SF or DF Pastel
Green birds display purer Yellow than Purple-breasted birds (similar to Australian
Yellow). Blue markings become pale Blue or Blue-grey in SF, and White in DF.
- White-breasted SF or DF Pastel
Blue birds appear more Silver or White than Purple-breasted birds. Blue markings
become pale Blue or Blue-grey in SF, and White in DF.
Notes:
A ‘lethal factor’ exists. Do not
breed DF cocks with SF hens or you will lose chicks in the nest.
Dilute
Inheritance: Autosomal
Recessive.
Details:
- Visually very similar to SF Pastel
cocks, although usually a slightly lighter lime Green.
- Breast and belly
colours are the same as Normal birds.
- Black head feathers and pencil
lines become Grey to very pale Grey.
- Blue markings become
extremely pale Blue.
Variations:
Due to the confusing action of the
two genes, White-breasted Dilutes show Black pencil lines and Black head feathers
approximating 85% of Normal colouring – i.e. A much darker Grey than Purple-breasted
Dilutes!
Notes:
- Babies have reddish eyes – an
Albinism trait, rather than true ‘Dilute’. Eyes darken with age.
- Juveniles are pale Cream.
- Rare mutation. Believed to be
found in Australia only.
Yellow
= Australian Yellow
Inheritance: Autosomal
Recessive.
Details:
- Visually similar
to White-breasted Pastel.
- All Black markings
are replaced by White.
- Purple breast is replaced by White.
(Unrelated to White-breasted gene.)
- Mature birds have
pure Yellow backs.
- Young birds sometimes have Green
variegation across their shoulders and back, and some Grey markings.
Notes:
Considered to be unknown outside
of Australia, although some birds rumoured to have been found in Europe and the
US.