Aussie Finch Forum

Hi,

I have a pair of normal BH goulds. They have produced 7 young this season. One of the fledglings has a white primary wing feather on each side. Has anyone seen something like this before? I'll have to wait until moult to see how it turns out.

Cheers
Ian

Had this happen before mine lost them after 1st molt this doesn't mean that yours defiantly will so here's hoping.

Often this indicates that the birds are split for the recessive Australian yellow mutation. When fully coloured, a split Australian yellow will usually have the odd white patch somewhere - eg a white spot under the beak or a couple of white primary feathers.

Craig

hmmm, hope its not a split. I was just hoping for some pure birds. Are there any other indicators to look for in seeing if one of the parents are split.
Sorry not the best photos

hmmm, top one is a great photo - just can't see any white!

but yes I see what you mean in picture 2.

I think, unfortunately, they are splits. but, good news, the yellows are expensive to buy and you may now have some!!!

Here is a photo of the young one.

Make sure you ring it and keep an eye on it. Surest way to tell if parents are split is breed this one back to opposite sex parent as soon as it is old enough.
LML

As Craig mentioned, Aus Yellow splits will usually carry a white or yellow feather either on the chin, corners of the beak, wing or back of the head. Some splits show none though. I have a pair with 4 young aus yellows and a normal about to fledge. I wasn't aware either parent was split and on the cocks side, I have bred for 3 generations of normals without noticing any splits so it just goes to show that these recessive genes can pop up from anywhere.