Gouldian with unusually intense colour and iridescence

[Finchy]

Interesting. I'm not getting that effect on replay here. It's all crisp and good, just a bit contrasty.

Next time I make a video I'll tweak the camera/file settings and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks,
Finchy

[finchbreeder]

The colour of all your Gouldians in most agreeable. The BHPBGB may look just that bit better because he is a normal, and therefore has colour. But do what I do. Pick the best of each sex of the birds you breed. Then find someone else who's birds you are impressed with, and get mates for yours from them. Put your cocks to the incoming hens in one avairy. And your hens to the incoming cocks in the other. And bingo, the best birds ever. And acceptable breedings for next season. You only have to buy in every 2nd year for new stock. Minor leval inbreeding, which is how all the most magnificent stock tend to be produced.
LML

[Finchy]

Yes, that sounds about right!

I made another short video of this male. He's the second black-headed male to show up, after his brother, and can occasionally be seen in the same frame as his brother: http://youtu.be/Bb5JXQCyH7s

The camera interprets his chest colour as almost royal blue, with purple iridescence. Actually, it's as if the camera is having trouble rendering the colour of the male Gouldians, and this one in particular; see how everything else in the video - the branches, leaves and even the female Gouldians - looks entirely normal? I think it's because of the UV-reflective feathering that many birds have. I recall Dr Rob Marshall showing me that once, with a black light and a bird in a dark room - glowy colours on a parrot that you'd never notice otherwise. Apparently birds' eyes perceive UV, whereas ours don't so much, so their feathering is designed to look good under UV. I think the camera may be picking up some of that.

(Craig, does this display any better for you? I tweaked a couple of things.)

[vettepilot_6]

He is a Cracker Finchy...

[Craig52]

That's alot better Finchy,he is a brilliant bird.I think you are right about the UV reflection or the brilliant shine on your birds feathers. Cheers Craig

[SamDavis]

Great bird. I think it's possibly the camera but his chest looks like it may be more of a royal blue than purple.

[TomDeGraaff]

Finchy, the vibrance of your birds' colours is striking. They are beautiful.

[Finchy]

Thanks guys.

Yes Sam, by eye it looks like a deep purple but the camera interprets blue with a lilac shine.

Remember Marek, the European Gouldian guy with all the feather structure info? Perhaps I'll ask him too. For anyone who hasn't seen it, here's his amazing web site: http://www.gouldianfinches.eu/en/geneti ... -coloring/

[finchbreeder]

Definately a keeper, base a line of birds on that one.
LML