Genetics and the Budgerigar Presented to the Miami Budgerigar Society January 1978

Genetics and the Budgerigar Presented to The Miami Budgerigar Society January 1978

Ronald L. Harris D.C., F.I.C.C.

HISTORY was the production of the yellow budgie. The reason for this is quite simple! To mix I believe it would be best to provide green you take equal parts of blue and a little history about the topic. The yellow: but if the green bird loses its' study of genetics was systematized by a ability to produce blue the resulting color Moravian Monk named Gregor Johann is yellow. Subsequently. the green bird Mendel (1822-1884) in 1865. His manu lost its' ability to produce yellow and the script went undiscovered for the next second color mutation occurred - the thirty-four years, or about sixteen years blue budgie. Thus all budgies came from after his death. The dusty old manuscript the green budgie, and that is why this color was reprinted, tested and finally acclaimed is dominant to all others. We will see later by the then "enlightened" scientific com that green may be modified. but never munity as . 'one of the greatest advance dominated. ments in inheritable influence ever dis GLOSSARY OF covered." Gregor Mendel did not perform BASIC GENETIC TERMS his experiments in a sterile laboratory: but instead worked with garden peas in his A) Dominant -A character, that even simple monaterial garden. He discovered in a minute dose, when present will that certain varieties of garden peas, when be visualized. crossed with other varieties, would B) Recessive -A character, which "dominate" their appearance: therefore. must be present in a lOOo/c dose to Mendel called them dominant and the be visualized. other recessive. The term has not changed C) Homozygous - All components in over one hundred years. being the same for the given factor. ow something about the little fellow D) Heterozygous - Both components that we all cherish. The Budgerigar being opposite for a given factor. (Melopsittacus Undulatus) is a native of E) Gene -A collection of deoxyribo the Australian Continent. The bird was nucleic Acid (DNA) influencing imported to England by English natural the being of all living things. Al ists, and so begins the story. The budgie. ways found in pairs on chromo in the wild state. is a small green racy bird somes in all normal living things. found in large flocks migrating at will in F) Chromosome -A collection of search of food. water and suitable habitat, genes falling in linear pattern (in in which to reproduce. To understand the pairs) expressing the total collec common green budgie. we first have to tion of this birds being. have a simple understanding of color and G) *Sex chromosome - That particular how it is produced. In the color spectrum pair of chromosomes which deter there are three basic colors. i.e. blue. mines the sex of the bird. i.e. yellow and red' From breeding budgies, xx=maleo xy=female « we know that we have green and blue. but *this sex chromosome configura why don't we have red') The answer is tion only holds true for birds, but simple, red is a primary color, you can not terflies and certain species of fish. produce it by mixing other colors. instead H) Genotype - What the true genes of you may make other colors by mixing red a particular bird are ... no matter with them. Why then is the dominant color what the bird looks like. in budgies green? Why not blue or yellow') I) Phenotype - What the bird looks Here again the answer is simple. ature. like, not necessarily what it really in her normal ecological balance. allows is, i.e. a green bird appears green those that adapt and blend best to exist: but it may carry recessive factors or and, and those unable perish. You need sex linked factors. only to check with Charles Darwin to J) Allelomorph -A configuration prove this. Green is a secondary color: which can replace a gene on a chro however, it is dominant in budgies over all Sk." hlLie nllrll/al hudgie Irolll f!le al'iaries mosome causing the inherited prop other colors. and s!lo\\' s/()ck o(Bill Porfer/Sall Diego. erty to demonstrate itself every The first mutation in the budgie color other generation.

10 K) Split - A term used in birds mean COLOR INHERITANCE ing carrying a hidden factor for a Largest Dealer recessive color, or in the case of All color factors are inherited in either a in the males only a sex linked factor. dominant, recessive, modified, penetrated Pacific ~ L) Mutation - A spontaneous change or sex linked manner. t!' in the number or structure ofone or Northwest more chromosomes usually result A) Dominant colors ing in lethal or sterile results. I) green r M) Intensity Modifiers - A term which B) Dominant Penetrators sounds mysterious but merely I) gray Cascad~.\ means a "Dark Factor': Refer to 2) violet Dark Factor which is diagrammed 3) Cleartlighted Pieds later in this text. The intensity mod 4) Yellow face LAviaries ifiers are partially dominant; there C) Recessive colors fore, they can not be carried in a I) All colors and patterns not "split" form. These factors can be listed above. Specializing in inhibited in expression (visualized) Budgies by other factors, i. e. "Ino". and N) Intensity Penetrators - This is a Exotic Cage Birds term which means an inherited force which alters the basic color, DARK FACTOR but does not obliterate it, unless the WHO LESA LE ON LY color is recessive to it, i.e. a pure We all know that all colors, in their grey bird when crossed to a pure basic status, are graded into three modified green bird produces all grey/green planes, i.e. light green, dark green, olive, 206-839-5877 offspring. It can be seen then that sky, colbalt and mauve. Knowing that all green still remains the dominant color is carried on a pair ofchromosomes, 4848 S. 288th St. color although it has been pene we should learn to write these to indicate Auburn, WA 98002 trated. A list of birds carrying these whether or not our birds are carrying a dark penetration modifiers would in factor. I would suggest the following for Satisfaction Guaranteed clude grey, violet, clear flighted mulas to simplify this task: pieds and yellow face. 0) Mitosis - A process of a normal Light green-gg Mauve-BB cell (not sex cell) dividing itself into Dark Green-Gg Light grey-gy gy two new cells containing every Olive-GG Medium grey-Gy gy TOUR thing the same. Sky-bb Dark grey-Gy Gy P) Meiosis - A process of a sex cell Cobalt-Bb dividing wherein two new cells are .;11 ~us!falia ~ produced, but each of the new cells In other words, the capital letters in '\~'~~yj contains one half ofthe original cell ~"').. '. Helen Willett 4,r dicate the amount ofthe dark factor and the Leave contents. lower case letters indicate the absence of "~.".. September 22, 1979 the dark factor. Therefore, it can be seen ~~'f". for 3 week tour INHERITANCE that the intensity modifier (dark factor) can be carried in a nonexistant state, a single Tour Hi-lites: ,-111\"_..\''\\ Now that we have covered history and intensity modifier (dark factor) or a double Visit to private aviarie} ;.~ '..•.I '~.' terms, let's progress to the part in which dose intensity modifier (dark factor). Sanctuary visits --;1 we are all vitally interested. Let's begin At this point I believe it should be Sydney Opera House Coober Pedy (Underground City with the simple dominant vs recessive explained that the dark factor does not and Opal Mines) inheritance, and build from there: change the color of the bird (dominant or Alice Springs and Ayers Rock recessive); however, it may change the Great Barrier Reef A) Pure dominantxpure dominant= influence of the color no matter which Sheep Station Barbeque 100% pure dominant parent it came form. Now I'm sure this is Tour includes full escort, hotel accom B) Pure dominant x recessive = 100% totally confusing, but I believe a diagram modations, 29 meals, transfers, sight seeing and air transportation as per dominant/recessive at this point will clear things up itinerary. C) Pure dominantXdominant/reces considerably! $2,679 from Los Angeles sive=50% dominant (A deposit of $200 per person is 50% dominant/recessive Cobalt cock-Bb required to book space on tour.) D) Dominant/recessive x dominant/ Light green hen-gg For more information contJct. recessive=25% pure dominant YORBA LINDA TRAVEL ;.. 4886 Main Street 50% dominant/recessive <5 25% recessive B b 'I' Yorba Linda, CA 92686 (714) 993-1121 E) Dominant/recessive x recessive= C( g gB gb J g gB gb Prices ore based on tariff. currancy 50% dominant/recessive values.. and fuel prices in eff8ct March 50% recessive 1.1979. and participation of a minimum F) Recessive x Recessive= 100% Results=50% dark green/blue of 30 persons. prices subject to chanqe. recessive 50% light green/blue 11 You will notice that the dark green I dark factor x no dark factor= 50o/c no A) Lutino cock XLXL progeny recei ved their dark factor from the dark factor, 50% I dark factor Dark green hen XY blue parent, but none-the-Iess they are still I dark factorx I dark factor=25o/c no dark dark green. Because there exists a special factor, 50% I dark factor, 25o/c 2 dark linkage between the recessive blue and the factors XL dark factor, there exists two types of dark No dark factor X 2 dark factors = 100% I « X XXL green/blue birds. One is called a dark dark factor Y XLY green/blue type I meaning it received its I dark factor x 2 dark factors = 50% I dark dark factor from a dark green parent and factor, 50% 2 dark factors Results= 100% split lutino cocks when crossed with a sky bird the following 2 dark factors x 2 dark factors = IOO9c 2 100% lutino hens will result: dark factors Since the hen only have one X if the factor shows up on that X, photos by Steve Clause then it is visual. Dark Green/blue type I cock Sky hen B) Light green normal cock o Light green opaline hen G b o « b Gb bb X X b Gb bb « Xo XoX XoX g b Y XY XY

Results= 7% light/blue Results= IOO9c split opaline cocks 43% dark green/blue type I IOO9c normal hens 43% sky 7% cobalt C) Light green cock/cinnamon Light green non cinnamon hen You will notice in the results that the dark factor in the bottom crossed over o from the capital G leaving it as a lower Xc X case g thus accounting for the 7% light « X XcX XX green/blue and because a capital B thus Y XcY XY explaining the 7% cobalts. If however, the dark green bird recei ved Results=25% split cinnamon cocks its dark factor from the blue parent it is 25% non cinnamon cocks called a dark green/blue type II bird and if 25% cinnamon hens crossed with a blue bird the results are as 25% non cinnamon hens follows: Sky blue Danish pied. note: because the cock is split cinnamon, he appears normal but, carries a "e" fac Dark Green/blue type II cock tor on one X chromosome. Sky hen SEX LINKAGES SOME INTERESTING BREEDING IN INHERITANCE o While the violet, c1earwing and grey g B Those factors influenced by sex link wing hold no special genetic problems, « b gb Bb ages are: due to their interesting patterns, I thought I b gb Bg would close out this discussion on them. G b A) Ino - lutino (green seires) Albino Let us first discuss the violet budgie. (blue series) The violet, demonstrates that in fact we Results=43% light green/blue B) Opalines are aproaching the RED budgie. It is com 7% dark green/blue C) Cinnamons mon knowledge amongst artists, that in 43% cobalt D) Slates order to produce violet you mix varying 7% sky E) Red eyed lacewings amounts of blue with RED! It must be remembered, that the violet factor is dom Here again you will notice the shift of Again let's restate that in birds, butter inant, the blue budgie is recessive. When the capital B to a lower case b thus flies and certain species of fish, the male you mix the violet factor with the cobalt explaining the 7% sky progeny, and carries two X sex chromosomes writtten budgie, either in single or double doses, becoming a capital G explaining the 7% XX, and the female carries one X sex you create the true visual violet budgie. dark green/blue. If Gregor Mendel could chromosome and one Y sex chromosome. This, not to say that you can not have a sky only see what we've done with his garden THE "Y" SEX CHROMOSOME DOES violet or even a dark green violet; but, the pea experiment, I'm sure he would be OT CARRY ANY OF THE SEX visual violet, most of us think of when we amazed and possibly amused! Therefore, LINKED FACTORS; THEREFORE, contemplate the appearance of a violet, is the following formulae will further THE CARDINAL RULE IN SEX LINK the cobalt violet. It then follows that, to explain: AGE'S IS: THE FACTOR MUST BE breed numbers of violets we have to breed No dark factor X no dark factor= 100% no PRESENT ON ALL OF THE X's TO BE as if to produce cobalt (with the violet dark factor VISUAL!!! factor) birds. The only two breedings to 12 produce 100% of these would be either a sky violet x mauve, or a mauve violet x sky (refer back to the dark factor). To under stand the probability of a double factor violet being available, merely remember the last time you saw a mauve or an olive bird. Sure there are some around, but, it is far easier to breed these than to breed a double factor violet; therefore, all violet birds should be considered single factor birds, until such time as they produce 100% visual violet offspring. How many times have you witnessed someone trying to convince an ASS judge, steward or show chairman that a bird is a violet and not a cobalt. There is one way to help matters along. If in doubt, hold the bird in natural sunlight and you will notice that the true violet bird will demonstrate a light gold edge on the terminal edge of all of its' breast feathers. Suffice it to say that the best matings for the inexperienced to attempt are: A) visual violetXmauve=25% visual violet, 25% cobalt, 25% mauve violets and 25% mauve, and B) visual violetxsky=25% visual violet, 25% cobalt, 25% sky violet and 25% sky.

CLEARWING AND GREYWING

The clearwing can be bred in both the green and blue series of budgie. It should be considered a recessive trait except when bred with a greywing or yellow or white. It must be remembered that clearwing is re cessive to normal. Generally speaking, when a greywing is produced the general 1['llll'1lf • ~fI(J' body color of the bird is depleted, much Introducing like the cinnamon factor; however, in the • clearwing, the body color remains rich. 16 Due to the contrast between the clearwing the New oz. Aviary size. (white or yellow) and the normal body For years, many successful breeders and fanciers have used Lambert Kay "1",'1 color, the body color looks much more Avitron" Liquid Vitamin Supplement to help assure the continued health, intense. Now when we introduce the alle vitality, performance and well-being of their birds. lomorphic property of combining the two But many of them found the available 1/2 oz., 1 oz., and 2 oz. size bottles too birds, i.e. clearwingxgreywing we pro small and inconvenient for their needs. duce a bird called a full bodied color grey So we're putting Avitron" in a new, economical 16 oz. Aviary size bottle. as wing, which has the greywing and the well. And we've taken into account new research in bird nutrition to improve body color of the clearwing. When this the already famous Avitron" formula. greywing is crossed with the clearwing, it Avitron" is formulated in consultation with respected Avian Nutritionists. Its is dominant to the clearwing; however, it water soluble and fat soluble vitamins are blended into a palatable formula must be remembered that we now have which can be fed directly to birds or easily mixed with food or water. And we produced a hybrid color, and not a hybrid include handy measuring devices to help you get just the right dosages. bird. Remember a full body color grey So whether you need the smaller 1/2 , 1 or 2 oz. sizes, or the economical new 16 wing is a culmination of a dominant clear ')z. Aviary size, give your birds Avitron", the best in vitamin supplements. wing and a recessive greywing, and when Available from your local pet supply dealer. crossed with a cle~ will result in 50% full body greywings and 50% clearwings. It is my sincere hope that the foregoing discertation will help more than confuse. I have spent many hours assembling this paper, but I feel I have gained much from its' preparation. I would implore all ofyou Division of Carter-Wallace, Inc., Cranbury, New Jersey 08512 to do the same and share your works with all of us.