Goldbreast Waxbill mutation

[CandoAviary]

I noticed this dark goldbreast this spring. He was much darker than his siblings and other pair's fledglings. He has since colored up and is so unique looking. I have never seen one so dark and with so many spots. They are in the same family as strawberries, which this one reminds me of. Anyone ever seen a goldbreast with these markings?


with a normal colored male


with a normal colored female


She likes him




Group ... he really stands out.

[LuxandLolita]

i literally had no idea what those are until just now. but i have to say, he's pretty!

[tinysparrow]

wow he is beautiful! i have never seen this before

[G8love4finches]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[nixity]

Frankly, Candace, I've never seen anyone with Goldbreasts that look as nice and as vibrant as yours, PERIOD.

The ones I've seen at the shows always look really depressed and very dully looking in color, generally not looking very well at all.
That male in your photo definitely has some striking scalloping going on.. the bands on his eyes almost make me think of Lavendar waxbills.... but, really, it would be hard for me not to say that all of these birds in general have extremely striking plumage compared to what I'm used to seeing in the birds available for sale up here.

Yours are simply stunning... by far.

[Lisa]

Candace, what beautiful birds! I love waxbills and yours are really gorgeous. How odd the one bird with the striking plumage but he's very exotic looking and beautiful!

[wilkifam]

Beautiful!

[PrettyBird]

Frankly, Candace, I've never seen anyone with Goldbreasts that look as nice and as vibrant as yours, PERIOD.

The ones I've seen at the shows always look really depressed and very dully looking in color, generally not looking very well at all.
That male in your photo definitely has some striking scalloping going on.. the bands on his eyes almost make me think of Lavendar waxbills.... but, really, it would be hard for me not to say that all of these birds in general have extremely striking plumage compared to what I'm used to seeing in the birds available for sale up here.

Yours are simply stunning... by far.

I agree! I dunno what you are feeding those guys but they LOOK amazing. Even the two I had pale in comparison to yours. That one looks stunning though! Im not sure if its a mutation or not, very pretty

[Chrismurdoch3]

Candace what do feed your goldbreasts? And are they in an outdoor flight or a indoor flight they look absolutley beautiful

[CandoAviary]

Thanks Katie, Amy, Lori, Lisa, Debbie, Dee, Chris, Tiffany
Chris, These are in an outfoor flight, covered under a carport. Though I have some in an indoor flight that are as colorful.




I feed ABBA finch, canary, and songfood. Along with couscous, eggs, and an assortment of greens such as chickweed, romain, kale, etc. I use to feed mealworms and termites but they have reared young on egg for the last several years so I do not offer insect diet any longer. Nor any kind of dried insect or fish foods. Though being outdoors they get some crawling insects that come up from the slats in the decking , however the aviary is screened so no flying insects.

Tiffany, I bought the original line on a whim some years ago from a fellow at a fair because I thought they had exceptional color. Bought all he had, like 6 pairs I have never kept them with any other species... if I had of I would of sworn this fellow was a hybrid with a star or strawberry. But they have always been a goldbreast only flight.
I will keep him and see how he continues to develop with next years molt and I will be looking forward to his offspring

[Chrismurdoch3]

Awesome thanks Candace your birds are beautiful

[Ursula]

I have never kept them with any other species... if I had of I would of sworn this fellow was a hybrid with a star or strawberry. But they have always been a goldbreast only flight.
I will keep him and see how he continues to develop with next years molt and I will be looking forward to his offspring

That was my first thought when I saw the picture, that it might be a hybrid...

How unique and truly beautiful he is! And I agree, I've also never seen Goldbreasts that look quite as colorful as yours.

[CandoAviary]

Thank you Ursula. This may just be a modification and not a mutation. We will see if his plumage corrects itself with his next molt. Or if he passes these marking to his offspring.
I am sure they would be hard to sell as most people will probably assume they were hybrids... I know I would
So it's probably a good thing I don't plan on selling him