What version of Star is this :)

Includes Species Profile.
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Finchfam
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Joined: 31 Dec 2018, 02:57
Location: Brisbane Qld

Hi
I've never kept Star finches but I have just inherited a single specimen. It appears more variegated than any of the native sub species, but maybe not?? So I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what they'd call it. Sorry about the quality of the photos. I just quickly took a couple when I had a minute. And just to demonstrate my complete novice status, am I correct in assuming it's a boy?
Cheers
Michael
Starfinch1.jpg
Star finch.jpg
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When all is said and done, more is said than done.
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arthur
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It's a boy . . and it's a pied, which is where there is a bit of a dilemma

Most pieds are regarded as 'dominant' in their genetic transfer . . which should mean that mated with a 'normal type' hen all babies will be pieds

Some pieds though are 'recessive' in transmission . . which is a different kettle of fish altogether . . and can be discussed later

But thirdly this bird looks like it might be a 'grizzle-pied' . . which bird geneticist Terry Martin believes is the result of the actions of more than one pair of genes

As a beginner this will be all uncharted territory . . and gobbledygook . . but there are people who can help

If you feel confident enough, I suggest that you put it to a normal hen and keep ALL young . . whether pied or not

If you don't feel confident enough, seek an experienced breeder of Stars that you can trust, and come to some arrangement regarding breeding and sharing of young



This could be quite a valuable bird in 'mutation' terms . . and possibly in monetary terms

Also tell the breeder from whom you 'inherited' the bird to keep all of his stock as they will be important in any breeding program that is set up
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Finchfam
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Location: Brisbane Qld

Wow, I could say I suddenly feel a sense of responsibility... but that would be like having a favourite child - just not on! Still, that was not an answer I was expecting! All jokes aside, I noticed when I first started keeping birds many moons ago, once you've got a routine sorted out that works, fussing more over a 'special' bird doesn't seem to do anything except make them worry about why you're in their face all the time.

I really appreciate you taking the time to detail some of the finer points on Star colour mutation genetics. You've roped me in I must say. I've always been a bit torn between maintaining pure native stock and experimenting with genetics but I have to confess a special attraction to running a breeding program where you're not totally certain of how the next generation will look. So it wouldn't feel quite the same if I 'sired him out'. I will take your advice and look for a quality normal hen for him. I'm not sure if there are any breeders in my area (south east Queensland) you could recommend perhaps by private message? I'm in the Qld Finch Society so I can go through my contacts there if you'd prefer.

Arthur you obviously know your Stars. In your experience, are there any special housing or dietary considerations I should observe?

Finally, in response to your last sentence, sadly I really did inherit the bird, the previous owner passed away last year. No-one else in his family shared his love for finches quite as much he did so they would not have been aware of anything special about this little fellow.

Thanks again for your comprehensive response.
When all is said and done, more is said than done.
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arthur
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Put "Breeding Star Finches" into 'google, and sort the wheat from the chaff . .

Go through the QFS . . A few visits to aviaries will reveal the people you should or should not listen to

My best tip would be . . Green seeding grasses and soft fresh greenfood . . and plenty of it

Quite willing to help with any genetics issues and pairings . . If I can



I am sure that Craig will 'chip in' shortly, to share some of his comprehensive knowledge on Stars and their mutations
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finchbreeder
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Location: Midwest of West. Aust. Coast
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Do enjoy developing this mutation. - you will have some very jealous people out here. Not a big fan of stars myself, but still look forward to hearing - from time to time - how you go with this very attractive bird.
LML
LML
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E Orix
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Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

While on the topic of Stars, is anyone breeding normal body coloured yellow headed stars.
I have had my colony for many years and would like to add some new birds to the existing ones.
But only if they are pure to the race
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arthur
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https://www.avianlife.com.au/post/the-s ... vDTxXVbVvM


Pieds not mentioned . . but for general overall info'
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Craig52
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67837523_2427149637328371_1777342430127849472_n.jpg
Thanks Arthur, yes i think it might be a grizzle pied so autosomal recessive. There could be other reasons for the colouring, previous diet or liver complaint or even has cinnamon in it that is only throwing partial cinnamon which is a yellowy colour but let's say it's grizzle pied so follow Arthurs recommendations.
Here's a pic of pieds.
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Craig52
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Sorry i forgot, if it is partial cinnamon it will be sexlinked so mating to a normal hen will produce normal hens and possibly cinnamon hens and all cocks will split for cinnamon or possibly grizzle pied.
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Finchfam
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Thanks Craig (and Arthur). I'm enjoying the conversation. I do have a question for you at the end but prior to that I'll just make a few more remarks about this boy's appearance. Just looking at your photo Craig, I can confirm that my boy looks quite dissimilar to the birds pictured although I can see yours appear to be yellows and that may influence colouration despite having the same pied mutation. Also although I'm no expert on Stars, I'm not too bad with colour genetics. There doesn't appear to be any expression of cinnamon at all (compared to photos of cinnamon birds I've seen). So if grizzle pied recessive is in any way co-dominant with cinnamon recessive it would appear to have masked virtually all cinnamon colouration regardless. So my safest assumption, given that cinnamon is sex-linked recessive, is that at most I think he would have one cinnamon gene. I won't venture into discussion on Terry Martin's opinion about the involvement of multiple genes other than to say if he is correct then surely all gene mutations involved in grizzle pied are recessive or else some form of colour mutation would express if any of the genes were dominant.

So my question is: if he is a grizzle pied, being autosomal recessive, won't I need to find a grizzle pied hen to produce phenotypically grizzle pied offspring? Otherwise all offspring will be grizzle pied splits (ignores the Terry Martin possibility of multiple genes for the sake of simplicity.)
When all is said and done, more is said than done.
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