Zebra color variation

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:10 am

Hi, it's newbie Jeremy back again. One of my Zebras has all classic male coloration. The other, which is smaller and thinner, has horizontal zebra striping at the throat and a black bar below, but less than the first one. Its cheek patches are lighter and less distinct. It doesn't have the side spotted chestnut patches, and its beak is a lighter orangier color. So it seems to have both male and female coloration. Is this a natural variation in male coloration, or might it be a mutation?

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:56 pm

It could be either; posting a picture would be the easiest way to tell you. The absence of the side flanking in a male is a little unusual; this occurs in some pied birds (if that is the area affected by the pied gene) and in white birds (which have no markings). That being stated, there are several mutations which reduce or alter the spotted appearance on the flanking, as well as the color of the flanking--but the flanking is still present and usually a different color than the body and belly colors, so it can often still be distinguished.

There are some mutations where hens have cheek patches. I have seen some hens with a faint/thin black line where the breast bar on the male would be, but hens do not have the throat striping of male birds.

You may also want to consider the possibility that you have a Timor zebra hybrid... though these still have side flanking: eFinch Timor Zebra article eFinch Timor hybrid article

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:34 am

Crystal, I just uploaded a photo in the gallery under Adult birds titled Zebra male coloration. On closer inspection, the questionable bird has some spotted chestnut side color, but so little that it's invisible unless he raises his wing or just settles it a bit high, as in the pic. Beak is definitely lighter and orangier. Probably just natural variation, eh?

Gunnar · Post by **Gunnar** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:39 pm

Looks like it may not have all of its color yet. Give it a few months and I may get a little more distinct but it is a male

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7_PHgIhcOQ

Just thought I'd try adding a video
Gunnar

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:22 pm

I agree with Gunnar... looks like the male is still coloring out.