Female zebra finch with male plumage

[mtnk]

Hello, I was wondering what the mutation of my female zebra finches with male like plumage (a cream colored cheek, black breast stripes and bars, and flanks!) would be. The base color is normal grey and the beak is orange. I first assumed that the female might carry grey cheek mutation, but it is not normal that they have zebra patterns and flanks, is it? I am pretty sure that they are females, because they lay eggs. Thank you!

[mtnk]

This is the hen

[Aspen]

That sure looks like a lightback male. Has she laid eggs for sure?

[mtnk]

Thanks! When I isolated the hen in a cage and mated with a male, I got eggs on the cage. I haven't tried to hatch the eggs, though... I have several hens with male-like plumage, but would it be interesting to see their children? Is it rare that hens have zebra patterns and brown flanks?

[lnlovesorange]

Cindy knows this stuff... I'm suprised she didn't answer. She is the EXPERT! Love her

[mtnk]

Oh, great! I googled a lot, but found no clue...