FINCHforum

A few months ago, I posted a couple of very bad photos of a possible new GB waxbill mutation. Since then I acquired one cock for myself. I did it to see if the bird would change into an ordinary looking GB with the proper diet and ample sunlight. Here is a couple of photos of the bird, taken with my cell phone. On the the birds chest is a dark red spot, that you can't see on the photos.

A normal and the possible mutation cock.

It looks like the picture is photoshopped. Why is the perch as green as the birds? There would be no way for any of us to even hazard a guess with the pictures being so off color. The middle picture looks like the bird is melanistic, definitely need better pictures.

debbie276 The photos are not great, because they were taken with my cellhone and cropped to show only the bird. The pictures were not edited, and if they look green, it is because I have green polycarbonate roof sheeting on the aviary. I will see if I can get get better photos.

Ahh, I see
Yeah very hard to see from those pictures.
If it's melanistic they should go back to normal with proper lighting and diet.
Good idea to take before and after pics.
Can't wait to hear how they do in your care.
good luck

MariusStegmann

I was just going to say : MARIUS, THEY'RE GREEN, WOW!!!
Then I read your next post

I really can't see a red spot on the chest in this picture, it just looks too dark.

I have noticed though, that the Orange/Goldbreasts that I'm seeing in pictures from SA, have a different color breast than the guys we have here.

Example: compare Roxanne's two guys in the picture, and my guy in the picture, there is a definite difference in colour of breast feathers.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=34013

lovezebs wrote: MariusStegmannI have noticed though, that the Orange/Goldbreasts that I'm seeing in pictures from SA, have a different color breast than the guys we have here.

There are two subspecies of Goldbreasted Waxbills, Amandava subflava subflava is the northern species and has a more orange-colored breast, while Amandava subflava clarkei is the southern species and has a more yellow-colored breast. We see the northern species in the U.S. and Canada.

http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... axbill.php

We are supposed to have the Northern species, because the southern one would be quite illegal for South Africans to keep without a permit. I suspect that we keep the southern one or a mixture of the two species. The other day I was one a wine farm and saw a little flock of GB's. It was fantastic to see them in their natural habitat.

Sally

Thanks Sally.
I sort of wondered because the colour difference is quite noticeable.

MariusStegmann

I envy you guys being able to see these little birdies in nature.
I'm still curious about this boy of yours with the different coloured breast. We need a clearer picture. You should get the Mrs to hold a light infront of the birds, while you snap a picture .

After a little Photoshop magic there does seem to be an area with different colour on the breast, but I can't tell whether it is red or brown or in-between. Is that the area you are referring to MariusStegmann ?

hanabi Yes, there is a definite red dot in the chest area.

MariusStegmann

We can play around with the colours all day, lol. However, you can isolate a spot on the upper chest, that is definitely a different shade. Is it red, or a really dark orange in the actual bird?

I'm very interested to see what this bird will look like in a years time. Good food, sunlight and a thorough molt and he might just go back to 'normal' coloring.

Rox, I agree with you Rox. I got 2 birds that came from
the owner of pershop owner's personal aviary. The GB cock and a firefinch hen. According to him the birds had a proper diet and enough sunlight. Somehow the birds were weak and unable to fly well initially. I could easily catch either bird with my hands in my aviary. They are much improved now.

I have noticed that there is a cock in my aviary with a very dark orange spot high on the chest. These birds have been in the aviary for a year with plenty sun and the same diet.
Interesting.