Crested Java?

[birdclaws]

I just got my first Java sparrow yesterday.
His feathers are very strange!
When I first saw him, I thought maybe he was molting, but looking up closer, it just appears to be the pattern of how his feathers grew.
Has anyone seen this kind of "crested" mutation?
He is fawn with red eyes.

[flrancho]

I've never heard of a crested Java, though if they exist that's pretty cool.

Unfortunately, I can't really see the crestedness (is that a word?) on your Java. Maybe if I could zoom in on the pic....

[birdclaws]

Maybe 'crested' was the wrong word to used because the pattern is not present on his head. I mean more the strange pattern of his feathers, the way they are twisted.
All the photos of Javas I've seen, they have that solid, flat coat.

[Don]

The beak not truely look like Java's beak, the feather reminded me of the frill canary, is it possible your bird might be hybrid?

[birdclaws]

The beak not truely look like Java's beak, the feather reminded me of the frill canary, is it possible your bird might be hybrid?

Wow, I think you're right.
The previous owner did not no much about him and was selling because his mate died.
Looks like my hopes for breeding are not going to happen with him...

Thanks for the info, I knew someone here would at least lead me in the right direction...

[cindy]

I personally looking at the bird would guess that he either had at one time a virus of some sort or a dietary defenciency that effected the growth of the feathers. It is not some exoctic mutation, I would be reluctant to breed him.

[JohnBoy]

The bird does not look right to me. If indeed it is a frill, I had never heard of a frilled java.

I have seen this condition from inbreeding.