FINCHforum

I have a pair of orange head (I believe this form is also called the yellow head, correct?) goulds. I have 4 eggs in the nest. If indeed they hatch and are weened, will the young all be orange head or is there the possibility of getting other color forms?

If the male is split to black then there is the possibility of getting a Yellow-To-Black female offspring.

Ohterwise all offspring will be OH and yes that is the same as Yellow Head.

Thanks Liz.

L in Ontario wrote:If the male is split to black then there is the possibility of getting a Yellow-To-Black female offspring.

Ohterwise all offspring will be OH and yes that is the same as Yellow Head.

I think you mean YTB = Yellow tipped beak.
The hen would be visually BH but with an orange tipped beak.

nixity wrote:

L in Ontario wrote:If the male is split to black then there is the possibility of getting a Yellow-To-Black female offspring.

Ohterwise all offspring will be OH and yes that is the same as Yellow Head.

I think you mean YTB = Yellow tipped beak.
The hen would be visually BH but with an orange tipped beak.

Is that what YTB means Well I learn something new every week here on the Finch Forum I thought YTB meant Yellow-to-Black; but yellow tipped beak makes sense but there's no mention of the actual head colour. Maybe it could be: yellow tipped black or yellow tipped red to reference the beak and the head colours. I like that it references the beak. Thanks Tiffany!

Well the actual way you're supposed to say it is BH (YTB)



The "YTB" part after the BH indicates that the bird is genetically OH as evidenced by the YTB, but visually BH.

It is the only head color that really necessitates indicating the beak color.

Visual RH will always have red tipped beaks (Unless they are genetically blue bodied), and visual OH will always have orange/yellow tipped beaks (again, unless they are genetically blue)

Probably silly question. But..... If they are genetically blue would the beak tip color differ?

Yes, the beak on genetically blue birds is an all over ivory color, and is not "tipped" with any red or orange color, because blue birds are blue as a result of not being able to synthesize carotenes, which are responsible for the red, yellow and orange pigment that we see on the normal birds
See on this male - no red tip In female blue bodied goulds, the beak will still turn dark grey/black when they are ready to breed - but it won't do this with Silver hens (yellow blue bodied) because the yellow aspect of the Silver prohibits the black pigment as well..

Boy am I or what?

Sorry

That genetic process is very interesting. I wish you lived closer nixity, I'd like to pick your brain... .alot! I'd like to give the LGs a try. Maybe that will be my next excursion. I have decided to forego the Bourkes and Splendids. They are sooo beautiful, but really large birds. I feel I'd have to build another aviary for just them. I got a pair of each: Fire Finch and European Goldfinch instead. I'll let the dust settle from these birds first. Perhaps in the Spring, when the new chicks are hatched I'll venture out. Interesting stuff. In the meantime, I'll research them.

I'm not that far
You can still pick my brain!
Just don't pick at it too much.. I need what little I've got left

Tiffany, just wanted to pick a little piece of your brain, I am glad to know that the ivory colour of my blue hens beak is normal, just wondering is it possible that her beak will not get as dark as my black head? She seems to have an overall grey, and the top surface is almost black. TY

Tiffany,
Thanks... I actually do understand that explanation
Thanks for letting this old girl pick your brain... again and again and again.
By the way, That blue gouldian is just gorgeous
The blue you just breed...what color will it be...besides blue of course

Her beak will likely get as dark, or close to as dark as a normal hens will get when she is raring to go in terms of breeding.