Colour variation in Aus yellows

[Diane]

The green mottling is a feature of Australian yellow birds which have only been through their first moult. At the second moult, they all lose the green mottling.

Thats great information, when looking for a young Aus yellow, seeing one like that at least you know you are getting what you want.

[Glenbary]

Thanks craigvdl,
I also have found that the degree of mottling on AYs is reduced in older birds after moulting. However some still maintain a reduced amount of mottling even after 2-3 moults.

Barry

[Glenbary]

I guess if you want to sure you are getting an Aus Yellow then the mottling would be what to look for.

I agree with bluebutterfly.
It is difficult if not impossible to distinguish by visual inspection a clear AY cock from a WB DFyellowback.
Barry

[nswchainsaw]

My understanding is Australian yellows are only White Fronted so the bird No 15 is a split Australian yellow you can tell by the White under the beak and the Yellow spot on the back of the head.
If i was bying Australian yellows i would only buy the mottled ones.
Garry

[tims]

I love the mottling and am looking for a pair too..

[craigvdl]

Thanks craigvdl,
I also have found that the degree of mottling on AYs is reduced in older birds after moulting. However some still maintain a reduced amount of mottling even after 2-3 moults.

Barry

Barry, I would be really keen to see what sort of mottling is remaining in a bird which is a few years old. I personally have never seen any at all which retain the green suffusion/mottling in a pure Australian yellow, despite having bred a very large number from different lines.

The black headed version of the Australian yellow retains a few smudges of grey and a few black feathers around the head, but that is not the green suffusion on the back.

A split Australian yellow can sometimes have very heavy mottling in my experience, and keeps that for life, but that's because it's a split, not a pure Aus yellow.

As I say, am speaking from my personal knowledge and experience and am keen to see an older pure Australian yellow which retains the mottling. Any chance of posting a pic?

[Bgould]

Hi craigvdl

This is a cock who is in his 3rd season and stills shows the mottling. Although i agree that each year it does get lighter and lighter. This bird had a large amount of green showing down his back when young. Sorry if the photos are not clear enough.

[Glenbary]

Thanks craigvdl,
I also have found that the degree of mottling on AYs is reduced in older birds after moulting. However some still maintain a reduced amount of mottling even after 2-3 moults.

Barry

Barry, I would be really keen to see what sort of mottling is remaining in a bird which is a few years old. I personally have never seen any at all which retain the green suffusion/mottling in a pure Australian yellow, despite having bred a very large number from different lines.

The black headed version of the Australian yellow retains a few smudges of grey and a few black feathers around the head, but that is not the green suffusion on the back.

A split Australian yellow can sometimes have very heavy mottling in my experience, and keeps that for life, but that's because it's a split, not a pure Aus yellow.

As I say, am speaking from my personal knowledge and experience and am keen to see an older pure Australian yellow which retains the mottling. Any chance of posting a pic?

Hi craigvdl,
The attached photo is of a 3+ yo AY cock. I know this from the leg rings and the date I took the photo. Also note the legs on this bird which are a bit scaley and have enlargements above the feet which are indicators of an old bird.
The mottling is still pronounced after 3 moults.
Cheers, Barry

[craigvdl]

Thanks guys. I am really amazed - the pictures speak for themselves. Am going to hit the books a bit on this.

Regards

Craig

[Glenbary]

My understanding is Australian yellows are only White Fronted so the bird No 15 is a split Australian yellow you can tell by the White under the beak and the Yellow spot on the back of the head.
If i was bying Australian yellows i would only buy the mottled ones.
Garry

Thanks for those comments.
The bird in photo 15 was bred by my friend Kyle. He assures me that it is a true AY not a split. However I think that what has happended over recent years is that some breeders are selecting/breeding for the VERY mottled AYs. One of the outcomes is that the difference between true AYs and split AYs in terms of their colouration is becoming similar for those with a lot of the AY mottling. Most of my splits have the appearance of a normal. But some have white bibs, a few yellow back feathers and pale flight feathers. Some recent photo of splits on the Belgium website are spectacular in terms of the so called mottling.
I can assure you that all AYs are not longer only white fronted - lots with purple/lilac type mottling on the breast.
Cheers and thanks, Barry