Question about the black feathers around LG male's beak

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Teresa
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Question about the black feathers around LG male's beak

Post by Teresa » Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:43 am

In these pictures look at the difference in these 2 male's back feathers around the beak. They both come from the same clutch and I'm wondering if it means anything about any hidden genes they have.
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Have a Happy Day! Teresa

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Ginene
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Re: Question about the black feathers around LG male's beak

Post by Ginene » Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:51 pm

They're stunning :mrgreen: . I bet others will have info for you.

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MiaCarter
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Re: Question about the black feathers around LG male's beak

Post by MiaCarter » Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:26 pm

Wow!
Lovely boys!

I've done minimal gouldian breeding, but I've owned many over the years. So based on that, I have seen this on some gouldians and I think it's just a natural variation. (Though perhaps one of the more experienced breeders may know of some hidden gene that's expressed in this way. Certainly possible.)

In my experience, some males just tend to have heavier black markings. Your guy on the left does seem to have heavier black markings than the other one, as evidenced by the halo of black that extends around the back of the head.

RH and OH females often have heavier black markings on the head. That's also not uncommon.

Also, did they just color up?
I've noticed that the area right around the eyes and right by the beak are sometimes among the last spots to moult. I know some juveniles can have darker pigmentation around the eyes and beak, so if they're left over juvenile feathers, that could also explain it.
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets

....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.


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Teagarden
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Re: Question about the black feathers around LG male's beak

Post by Teagarden » Wed Mar 11, 2015 12:08 am

Teresa - I do not know if the black colors has anything to do with "hidden genes." You do have 2 magnificent Gouldians!
Mary

RC Cordon Bleus, Gold Breasts, Gouldians, Owls, R/T Parrot Finch, Spice Finch, Star Finch, St Helena's, Strawberries, American Singer Canary, Irish Fancy Canaries, 2 dogs & 1 indoor cat

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lnlovesorange
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Re: Question about the black feathers around LG male's beak

Post by lnlovesorange » Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:51 am

debbie276 Is who i call an "expert" the stuff that comes out of this brilliant woman's mouth just ASTOUND's me sometimes. So I am helping you out by Mentioning her in this post, so she will see and comment, because I'm not exxaggerating when I say she knows her Gouldy's!!! Good luck, (and btw Deb, don't get all "no I'm not..." cuz you are !!!)

debbie276
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Re: Question about the black feathers around LG male's beak

Post by debbie276 » Wed Mar 11, 2015 12:16 pm

no I'm not....but thanks for thinking I am :wink:

Hard to tell in the picture but if there is no crustiness to it I would say just coloring. It's amazing how different the same color birds can be with different tints and hues.
Definitely doesn't mean they are split to anything in particular.

good luck
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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