I am new to this Forum but not new to Bird keeping and Finches at all.
I am so glad that I have found this forum and I wish all the best for each and every one of you.
I have a slightly complicated question (by my standards) regarding the Gouldian Mutations.
My question can be divided into two.
I am working on a big database on Finches in general and now I am working on the Lady Gouldian with all the mutations that are there.
I have learned a lot from sites on the internet that there are three parts that makes the Gouldian mutation differs one from each other: Head, Chest and Body.
Head have 3 colors and chest have 3 or 4 and body... that is a problem that I am also facing right now.
My question is:
- How many Gouldian Mutations are there?
i.e. Red Head is Dominant Sex-Linked that refferes to the Normal only? (Purple breasted and Green Body) or also to all mutations that have Red Head - like the White Chest and Yellow body mutation?
The White Breast is Recessive mutation and the Red Head is Dominant mutation, What would I define the RH/WB/GB Mutation to be? That is an example - I would be happy if I could have a thumb rule or a Place that define the MUTATION itself by its Genetics and NOT the parts individually.
- Sums up for part one: Can some one help me understanding the Genetics of the Gouldian Finch Mutations?
Part two of my question:
I have read all the History of Gouldian finches from the first time that John Gould have found the Red Head Wild type mutation in 1838 and further to these days when they have found some new mutations that they didn't know exist in the past.
But at this point I got puzzled - While investigating the RH/WB/BB mutation - I have found that The years mentioned were only for White Breasted mutations and not referring to the Head or Body colors at all and sometimes the Body color were mentioned without any referencing for the Chest or Head etc.. I hope that I am clear about this part of my question.
This is the site I have found the years information in - Great Site!!
- So.. My question is - Is there a place of which I can find the Year of EACH individual mutation and not the sum of the Gouldian History with a general referencing to the mutations?
Also I mentioned in the beginning of my question: How many Gouldian Mutations are there? Does an SF and DF differs from each other and represent a mutation each of their own?
Thank you so much for your kind help.
I would be happy to get assistance on that and I would be glad to learn more from you all professional Birders and Bird keepers - to enrich the knowledge among our friend and new breeders to come with understanding more about these magnificent birds
Thank You!!!
Best,
Eric.