Pale flight feathers on young

[Diane]

Just had a couple of SF young fledge.
Parents are
RH PC DFYB possible /blue cock and a RH PC GB hen
From my understanding of the genetics they must be cock birds. (hens would have be yellow)
They have been fed all the usual things same as the other parents of normal young so I dont think light coloured feathers are a diet related issue, any thoughts? Is this a normal occurrence on SF?

P1010014 (640x480).jpg

P1010009 (640x480).jpg

[gouldianpaul]

Hi Bluebutterfly,
my understanding is that the young can be SF YB cocks or YB hens....as for the lighter feathers, i suspect this will moult out to be a normal YB...although I hope it turns out to be a pied...cheers, Paul

[iaos]

Split Aus yellow?

[Diane]

Not that Im aware of, but worth remembering.

[POLAR GOULDIANS]

Hi Diane, I think your bird is a SF YB, thes markings are not normal on SF cock birds, most likely to be split Aust Yellow. Maybe check if your RH-PB-GB hen has a lot of yellow around the back of the head, or yellow spots at back of head. I have a DFYB cock bird split to Aust Yellow and there is no way of telling with them. The photo on this page shows split Aust Yellow having wings the same as your bird. http://users.skynet.be/fa398872/engoulm08.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Diane]

The erythrura site was one of the the first places I checked when I saw the light coloured wings, but not the Aus Yellow part, interesting theory about being split Aus Yellow, will have to see if I can find out if there is any possibility of that.
Cant say Ive noticed any extra yellow on the hen at all but will take a closer look later today.

[POLAR GOULDIANS]

Hi Di, That is the thing with recessive genes, there is allways a possibility. I do get slightly amused with the anti-mutation people,they all strive for " pure " birds. But in reality they could be carrying at least 3 recessive genes along ( Aust Yellow, Blue backed, Aust dilute. ) and never know until they cross the right pairing. Not that I am anti "pure", I do agree that it is hard to improve on the natural gouldian. But they forget that the mutations are natural also, not genetically engineered. I have a few split Aust Yellows that are impossible to pick on appearance, and others that are visable splits, so you may not be able to tell if yours are. Maybe you will just have to wait until next season to test breed this bird with a known split, gives you something else to look forward to.

[Diane]

Checked the hen and definitely no yellow on her at all, she is quite dark.
I watch and see what happens with these guys.

[Misso]

any updates with this bird di?

did u breed the parents again?

misso

[Diane]

That little one didnt make it through the moult. I do have another one with lighter coloured flights this year too, different parents though. YH WC SFYB cock x YH WC GB hen