FINCHforum

Hi Finch Fans!

I am still relatively new to the hobby of birdkeeping. I have a double flight with 6 Zebras and 1 Canary. I have seen many use the term "split to pied". Could someone please tell me in simple language what this means as I am trying to familiarize myself with such language. I purchased a book on Zebras, however it does not explain the language usage.

Thanks

Only species that have recessive pied can be split.. For example, zebras split to pied only have white markings on their flight feathers, under their chin and on their head... Some may not show it at all.

Split to pied...white wing edges, white on the head, under the chin

I don't know anything about Zebra genetics. With other species, split is a term that means the bird carries that gene factor but does not show it. In other words, a split to fawn Owl finch will look like a normal Owl, but carry the gene for fawn, so he can pass this on to his offspring. A Red-faced Star that is split to yellow will look Red-faced, but carry the gene for yellow, so he can have Yellow-faced offspring.

This only applies for zebra finches:
(pied = white feathers)
split to pied: recessive gene. Two birds split to pied need to have chicks together
so it will show in their offsprings. Or one bird split to pied and one pied bird.
Bird who is split pied show only little amount of pied (white) in its feathers
and in certain places. (forhead, head, wingfeathers, chin)
And like Dante said, sometimes nothing at all.

I know this is isnt short article, but hopefully simple

few pictures of split pied zebras



Vargs by Elma_Ben, on Flickr


Vargs - Fawn/split pied chick by Elma_Ben, on Flickr


Vargs - zebra finch hen - Fawn bb split pied by Elma_Ben, on Flickr


Vargs - Ungar undan Agna og Ágötu by Elma_Ben, on Flickr


Agata by Elma_Ben, on Flickr

This is great info! Thanks so much. I now have a good understanding on what that finally means!!!