FINCHforum

I recently paired a male zebra that was supposed to be fawn BB OB with a BB /BC female (also maybe /eumo). The mom looks very much like she should but the dad always puzzled me and I don't think he is really BB OB but rather OB /BB because his tail is not like the other BBs that I have and more like a /BB. Well this pair had one BC chick so that means the dad must also be /BC. There were two fawn females (one BB and one /BB) so I know that dad must be /BB or all the chicks would be BB (mom definitely is full BB). The last two chicks are shown in the following picture.


One (on the right) is an obvious BB /OB (nice orange lacing on wings). The other one (on the left) I think is BB BF /OB! He is quite dark next to the beak and on his chest the black goes all the way back towards the vent. Mom does not look like she carries BF as the area next to her nose is quite white. Dad on the other hand is darker there. I have some other BF zebras and the males are quite distinct but I am wondering if the fawn OB /BB in this male might change the expression of the BF somewhat. Here is a photo of dad:

What do you think?
thanks,
Lori

Lori, Fawn will lighten the black markings, often turning them brown.

Beautiful offspring by the way!!!!

Cindy
Thanks for your comments. I suspected the fawn be "hiding" the BF. does the father look OB to you? it's hard to know given the BB and fawn. So many color alterations going on!
Lori

Lori, looking at him I guess Fawn BF OB/BB. Does he have orange across the breat bar?

He has some orange mixed in with the black. Its obviously not like the regular dark black...more like a very dark chocolate.
Lori

I have very similar birds. I believe my trio are split to BC. One is BC. I notice my male has zebra stripes on his throat and proper flanks. The other two lack flank markings and I believe are female. They are just coming into breeding age. Next time I see one a bird without the throat striping, I guess I'll have to bring him home. I'm pretty sure that indicates that there's a bunch of stuff hidden inside.

Now, the one female has grey tears. The other has a black face. I'm slightly confused about that.

Both birds with the face that is clearly black face, have significant black markings down through their bellies.

I guess, I'm wondering, at this point, if maybe I don't have black breast hooked into my birds. I think I do.

Jeff...pardon my asking but are you in the states?

Beautiful bird!!

I'm in Ontario.