FINCHforum

Recently I bought a melanistic yellow headed Gouldian cock bird and I have paired him with a yellow headed/white breasted hen. All the chicks will be split for white breast. Does anyone know whether the chicks will be melanistic like the cock bird? The chicks seem to have skin that is darkly pigmented. The melanistic Gouldian is quite striking with a thick band of black around the back of the head. I should think a black headed version would be quite stunning. If you google melanistic gouldian you will find pictures of this variation. has anyone out there had experience with this type of bird? I have posted pics on my Picasa website

I do believe although your babies MAY be melanistic they may also lose that after moulting from what I understand.

Do you mind me asking why you are trying to breed for this?

Do you like breeding for mutations? or ?

Not too sure what the answer is, just wanted to say that the melanistic phenomenon produces some stunning looking birds.

I thought melanistic Gouldians look stunning too when I Googled them. If I had one - I'd breed it to try and continue the colouring.