"Black Capped" Zebra mutation?

[WrenNAustinTX]

So, this is the 7th baby from this pair, and the 3rd black cheek...and the first to have this black cap on his head. It almost reminds me of the dark grey CFW hens have as fledglings, but this bird is male, and the black almost seems to be getting darker each day, to where his black cheeks are almost blending totally into the black cap of his head and neck.

As you can see, he isn't black face, though he has 2 black face brothers. This also isn't melanism, as his stomach is the normal buff color.

I'll post some pics of him, and him and his sibings. His mother is a normal grey split black cheek, and his father is a black cheek black face eumo who has genes for both types of CFW.

I know I should wait for him to molt out, but has anyone see this before in a fledgling? It looks like the cap the males have, which normally is more silver than the back, got turned very very dark. Neat, right? I hope it holds after molting

(the colored dots in the photos help me find the non-blurry ones b/c my tablet doesnt let me zoom in when i preview the photos)

[josh1810]

I dont know anything about zebra genetics... he is soooo cute though... congrats... maybe he will be unusual... i know im always attracted to the odd balls!!!!

[lovezebs]

WrenNAustinTX

He looks amazing! I've never seen one like that before. If he retains these colours, you could try to breed him back to some distant relative, and see if you can come up with a new mutation.

~Elana~

[WrenNAustinTX]

lovezebs if he keeps this little hat thing after his molt, i'll set up a breeding program around him; i have both parents, lots of siblings, and i could easily get him some half-siblings and such t o try and set the trait

[lovezebs]

WrenNAustinTX

That's wonderful. I just think he's a gorgeous looking little fella, and it would be great to get more kids like that.
Now let's keep our fingers crossed that he keeps these colours .

~Elana~

[Chris103]

Wow, very cool looking guy! In theory, a black or orange headed Zebra is totally possible. Even if it's just a modification you could do some line breeding to enhance the trait...then outcross like crazy! Can't wait to see the guy all colored out! I wonder if his flank spots will be affected? Congrats on the beautiful chicks!!!

[WrenNAustinTX]

He might be black cheek, black breast. Note the lack of tail bars.

[Snow finch]

that's a good looking zebra,,,, congratulations

[kyro]

It might be a BCBB since the black coloring reaches the head.