WattaBird! Understanding the Peach-Faced LoveBirds Mutations
(Part 1 of 3: Recessive Inheritance)
In order to understand the evolution of the mutations and combinations in the Peach-Faced African LoveBirds, we need to understand the three methods or patterns of inheritance.
They are Recessive, Sex-Linked, and Factor.
My research led me to different sites and posts, but I got the most interesting and most informative presentation of this topic from an article written by Rick Smith from Lakeview Terrace, California.
The article is titled, The Peach-Faced LoveBirds, Agapornis Roseicollis and its Mutations which was featured in the AFA WatchBird magazine.
“If You have any questions, suggestions, or topics to discuss please leave a comment below.”
Let us start with the RECESSIVE inheritance.
(This is Part 1 of 3)
RECESSIVE INHERITANCE
RECESSIVE inheritance in African LoveBirds requires both parents to have the recessive genes for the mutation to be seen visually. If a LoveBird has only one contributed recessive genetic code from the parents, then this is said to be a “split” of the genetic trait. It is also good to remember that a LoveBird that is “split” to a trait carries that trait but cannot be seen visually. Splits to a recessive trait is inherited by both sons or daughters.
Here is a guide on the Breeding Chart for RECESSIVE inheritance: (These tables are taken from an article written by Rick Smith from Lakeview Terrace, California. The article is titled, The Peach-Faced LoveBirds, Agapornis Roseicollis and its Mutations.)
Breeding Pair 1: Normal Green x Blue
Offsprings are Normal Green /Blue
Note: The first resulting color is the visible color and the “/“ mark refers to a SPLIT, followed by the color to which the LoveBird is split with.
Breeding Pair 2: Normal Green /Blue x Normal Green /Blue
Offsprings are: 25% Normal Green; 50% Normal Green /Blue; 25% Blue
In other words, If four offspring are produced, on average one will be visible Blue, and the other three will be visible Green, two of which may be split to Blue.
Breeding Pair 3: Normal Green /Blue x Blue
Offsprings are: 50% Normal Green /Blue; 50% Blue
In this cross, note that all the visible Green LoveBirds will be Split to Blue; or out of four offsprings produced, on the average two will be Green colored Split to Blue and two Blue LoveBirds.
Breeding Pair 4: Blue x Blue
Offsprings are: 100% Blue
All offsprings produced in the pairing will be visibly Blue colored.
IMPORTANT!
In the early days with the first recessive mutations, these genetics table for RECESSIVE mutations were an accurate reference for predicting what offspring will be produced and what breeding pairs will produce the best results.
However, the current Peach-Faced LoveBirds are no longer pure mutations.
The Peach-Faced LoveBirds has evolved so diversely over the years and has produced many mutations. These LoveBirds are and may be Split to many different colors.
There are confusion in some cases where the breeding pair of Blue x Blue produced a White LoveBird. When this happens, we would know that the parent LoveBirds, while visibly Blue are actually Split to White.
To some degree, because of the splits to many different colors it has also become increasingly difficult to understand the LoveBirds genetic background and predict the color of its offspring.
On the other hand, recessive traits has made breeding African LoveBirds more exciting because there is no limit to the number of combinations that can be produced.
The next method or pattern of inheritance is what is called SEX-LINKED.
RECESSIVE MUTATIONS
- MED GREEN – (One Dark Factor. Also known as: Jade, D Green)
- ORANGE-FACED
- AQUA – (Also known as Blue, Par Blue, Dutch Blue)
- MED AQUA – (One Dark Factor. Also known as: Cobalt, D Blue)
- WHITE-FACED AQUA – (Also known as White-Faced Blue, Turquoise)
- DEC or Dark Eye Clear
- YELLOW-FACED – (This is the Aqua version of the Orange-Face)
- SEAGREEN – (Also known as Aqua Turquoise)
- EDGED – (Also known as Greywing, Marbled, American Dilute, Cherry Head, Golden Cherry, Silver Cherry, Spangled)
- JAPANESE DILUTE – (Also known as: Suffused, Japanese Cherry)
- PALE FALLOW (Also known as East German Fallow)
- BRONZE FALLOW (Also known as West German Fallow)
- RECESSIVE PIED
- DUN FALLOW
- ASHEN FALLOW
Please refer to the next topic:
Photo Credits: Feathers and Paws
“The main objective of WattaBird.com is to promote African LoveBirds Breeding as a hobby, share breeding experiences, tips, techniques, best practices, and most importantly, to promote camaraderie among LoveBirds Breeders.- “WattaBird.com
Dark faktor recessiv? No.
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