Zebra finch- what color (mutation) is this?

[Vargur]

Hi there!

I have a fledgling, maybe its to early to ask, but i want to know what you think of its color..



i have been looking for photos of birds that look similar to this one,
and what i have found is the color mutation "Isabel".

Can it be Isabel?





Or just fawn orange breasted?

[Nagdabit]

Stunning little one you have there. Unfortunately here in the states, the Isabel mutation is not that commonly found. Our equivalent is the Florida Fancy, and the markings are different on them. Do you know the parents background? We just got some hens that are split to OB and they don't seem to resemble your little one. Also in looking at Roy Beckham's site the OB coloration just doesn't appear to match up. However, to me at least, this pic of an Isabel does.

http://www.efinch.com/birdpix4/fawnisabel.jpg

The color appears to be more prevalent on your bird so my guess is that something other than just Isabel is thrown into the mix (Could be where the OB comes in) Hopefully some who have experience with the European mutations will chime in and help solve the mystery for you. Either way I would love to see some more pics once the little one colors up.

[Vargur]

Thank you very much for your answer, Nagdabit.

Well, here are the parents

The cock is ob-bb-bf-grey
the hen is pied fawn

I dont know anything about the cock, it was just bought from a store.
I know a little bit about the hen:

I have the parents and the grandparents


Grandparents of the pied fawn hen
Cock: lightback
hen: fawn


The mother of the pied fawn hen
Color: silver pied


The father of the pied fawn hen
Color: fawn (or lightback, not sure)

This is everything i know about them.

Pictures of the parents: loaned from previus owner.

[L in Ontario]

You chick (a real beauty) looks just like my Florida Fancy but with more fawn or orange to it (as Nagdabit said). With those parents - it will be very interesting to see how it colours up!

[MLaRue]

You have some beautiful colors! I love the father of your chick! Gorgeous deep colors!

[Vargur]

L in Ontario: yes, I am very excited! Havent seen this color before here.

MLaRue: Thank you, he is just a real beauty!

Thank you for your answers!

[MLaRue]

BTW - there is an excellent Yahoo group for Zebras with members all over the world that specialize in Zebra mutations only

Look for Yahoo groups and then search for Zebra groups within - their email address is zebrafinch@yahoogroups.com

[Vargur]

Thank you

I am going to send an email and ask!

[MLaRue]

You are welcome

Here is the link to join the group so that you can post to the group itself

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/zebrafinch/

[Ameza]

What a beauty! Some amazing and special colours you guys are getting from this pair!

[Vargur]

Thank you Ameza!
I was told by an experienced finch breeder that, the chick could be European Isabel.

http://www.zebrafinch.com/newzebra/Bird ... EPHAEO.GIF
here is a pic of ob-bf-phaeo
the bird in this picture is maybe darker than the chick,
but I think the wing pattern is similar.

What do you think?

[Nagdabit]

First of all, Misty offers an excellent suggestion. We've used the Yahoo forum on a number of occasions to help identify mutations and splits. Quite a number of genetic experts hang out there and they won't steer you wrong. In actuality, guess the mutation is one of their favorite games.

The bird you referenced in your most recent post is a Phaeo, which is a Florida Fancy based mutation combined with the Black Breast. Phaeos can vary greatly in appearance from the prominent orange like the guy in the picture to just slight extension of color beyond normal parameters. We have two Phaeo males and a couple of females (split) and they are similar in appearance to your chick but lack the lacing in it's wings. Sometimes though that lacing will molt out as the chick matures.

However since Phaeo involves the Florida Fancy mutation (Which is almost exclusively a US product) I doubt that your bird is a Phaeo. In looking at the pics you provided of previous generations, my eye keeps being drawn to the chick's maternal Grandmother, the Silver Pied hen. Not sure how it is used overseas, but here in the States, Silver is a term that usually denotes a bird that is a Single Factor Florida Fancy. Again since I am not familiar with European mutations, I'm not sure if the Isabel mutation works along the same lines as the FF, but if so then the Silver pied hen could very well be a Pied Single Factor Isabel. Can't really see her back in the picture you posted but does she have any lacing in her back / wings?

The chick's mother could be a wild card as well. We have a hen that is similar in appearance and her mom was a solid white. I'm guessing if the chick is an Isabel, the mutation is hiding in Mom / Grandma somewhere.

Whatever the case I'm anxious to hear what the folks over at the Yahoo forum have to say. Please let us know when you find out.

[Vargur]

Thank you for your answer!

I asked one great finch breeder, that have been in the business for over 30 years, and he said the Grandmother of the hen, is Gray Isabel, with little pied one the forhead and cheast.
Which are great news. . I think

here are more pictures




those pictures are not from me, they are from previous owner.
Its difficult to take pictures of her

[lovemyfinch]

She is beautiful

[Vargur]

Yes, she is, thank you