all the blue Canaries? Nowadays some gray Canaries are being referred to as Purity of Species is "blue" but most celtainly they are not Bunting hybrids. One could, perhaps, argue either for or against hybridizing with Canaries. Conservation After all, most hybrids are sterile. How could this possibly affect the finch by John Quatm, Sydney, Australia species? It can affect them. The prob lem begins when back crossing or hybridizing with various finch species Canaries and related birds have but most celtainly not for their song. occurs. In such cases a bird that was always held a fascination for me not Most of the hybrids produced turn genetically only one-quaIter hybrid only because oftheir color and appear out to be infertile and are referred to as could look like a pure species and be ance but because each species has its "mules". Only the Red Siskins (being bred with other pure birds. Some of own uniquely pretty song. The breed closely related to the CanalY) occa the species are velY closely related and er can learn to distinguish the species sionally produce feltile cock birds. The look vely much alike. This means that just by hearing an individual bird sing. hens from this cross are always infer some of the hybrids are capable of Species include Siskins, Grosbeaks, tile. Even hybrids from the Yellow reproduction. We are all familiar with Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Buntings, hooded or European Siskin crossed the Estrildidae finches including Red Chaffinches, Saffrons and Sparrows. with the Canaly are sterile. cheeked Cordon Bleu, Blue-capped All of these species build a cup As the Red Siskins have been used Cordon Bleu, Blue-breasted Cordon shaped nest except for the Saffron to get a red factor CanalY, so has the Bleu or Ruddies and Strawberry finches and Sparrows which nest in Indigo Bunting been used by some finches and celtainly the Canary relat cavities. breeders in an attempt to get blue ed large Green Singing finch and the Canary hybrids have been repolted Canaries. But this has not worked as small Green Singing finch to name just from each one of these species at one buntings are a more distantly related a few of the species. time or another (see Canaries and species although occasional repolts TIle Australian federation of Aviculture Related Birds by Horst Bielfeld). None appear of such hybrids being pro is strongly opposed to crossbreeding ofthe hybrids are prettier than anyone duced. Indeed, one repolt stated that and so are most breeders and dealers. of the pure species and neither is their the hybrids were able to reproduce I know for a fact that most breeders in song better than the song' of the among themselves and even with Sydney would not buy or offer hybrids domesticated Canaries or wild Linnets. Canaries. for sale. Red Siskins have been used repeatedly Now I, myself, have never heard of Often breeders of Red Siskins form in producing the red factor Canaries blue Canaries. Nor has anyone that I groups of three or four members and know. If such a hybrid has ever exchange young Siskins among them occurred, it most celtainly would not selves. In this way they retain the birds' be fertile. 1fT am wrong then where are purity.
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afa WATCHBIRD 31 e rich red color, about 4 in. in length,
Final results from back-crossing hybrid to Males love to fight through the wire. 1bey are only protecting their territory. Both hens normal. Note size and color ofbeak. are on eggs.
By the color on the breast, eight month old, one year old and the two year oldfemales can be identified. Notice the hybrid on the top left (dark feet, dark beak and whitish This Red Siskin is probably the victim of inbreeding. Why? undertail coverts). Birds like this should never be usedfor breeding.
This is a Yellow-hooded x Black-hooded Siskin hybrid. The white undertail coverts are quite distinct. Two 16 day old Yellow-hooded Siskins. afa WATCHBIRD 33