Lorikeet genetics: Mutations
Lorikeet genetics and mutations – Content creator: Petrus A. van Tonder
Lorikeet genetics and mutations are a fascinating area of study, particularly because of the vibrant colors and patterns that these birds can display. Here’s an overview of the common genetic mutations in lorikeets, focusing on some popular species like the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus):
Common Lorikeet Mutations
- Albino:
- Description: Albino lorikeets lack melanin, which results in pure white feathers and red or pink eyes. This mutation is rare and usually appears in species like the Rainbow Lorikeet.
- Genetics: Albino is typically a recessive mutation, meaning both parents must carry the gene for it to appear in their offspring.
- Lutino:
- Description: Lutino lorikeets have bright yellow feathers, red eyes, and often maintain their natural color in some parts, such as the chest and head.
- Genetics: Lutino is a sex-linked recessive mutation. The mutation is more common in males because females only need one copy of the gene to express the trait.
- Blue:
- Description: Blue lorikeets lack the yellow pigment, resulting in blue and white plumage. This mutation can produce striking birds that are entirely or partially blue.
- Genetics: The blue mutation is typically recessive, so both parents must carry the gene for it to be expressed.
- Pied:
- Description: Pied lorikeets have patches of white or yellow feathers mixed with their natural color. The pattern and amount of pied can vary significantly from bird to bird.
- Genetics: Pied is often a dominant or co-dominant mutation, meaning it can appear even if only one parent carries the gene.
- Cinnamon:
- Description: Cinnamon lorikeets have a brownish or tan hue instead of the typical green or blue. Their eyes may also be red or brownish.
- Genetics: Cinnamon is usually a sex-linked recessive mutation, similar to lutino.
- Olive:
- Description: Olive lorikeets have a darker, more subdued green or gray-green coloration. This mutation affects the bird’s overall appearance, giving it a more muted look.
- Genetics: The olive mutation is recessive, requiring both parents to carry the gene.
- Dilute:
- Description: Dilute lorikeets have paler versions of their normal colors. For example, a dilute Rainbow Lorikeet might have soft pastel shades instead of vibrant colors.
- Genetics: The dilute mutation is often recessive, needing both parents to pass on the gene.
- Fallow:
- Description: Fallow lorikeets have reduced melanin, leading to lighter colors and red or pink eyes. This mutation is less common but very striking.
- Genetics: Fallow is a recessive mutation and can be linked to either the sex chromosomes or autosomal chromosomes, depending on the species.
Understanding Lorikeet Genetics
- Sex-Linked Mutations: In lorikeets, sex-linked mutations like lutino and cinnamon are carried on the sex chromosomes. Since female birds (ZW) have only one Z chromosome, they express the mutation if they inherit it. Males (ZZ), with two Z chromosomes, need two copies of the mutation to express it.
- Recessive Mutations: Recessive mutations like albino, blue, and dilute require both parents to carry the gene. Offspring will only express the trait if they inherit two copies of the gene.
- Dominant Mutations: Dominant mutations like pied can be expressed if just one parent carries the gene, making them more common in breeding.
Breeding Considerations
- Pairing: When breeding lorikeets for specific mutations, understanding the genetic background of both parents is crucial. Breeders often use visual and genetic testing to determine the best pairings to produce desired mutations.
- Health: Some mutations, particularly those involving melanin reduction (like albino or lutino), can lead to health issues such as poor eyesight or increased susceptibility to sunburn. Ethical breeding practices prioritize the health and well-being of the birds over the production of rare mutations.
Conclusion
Lorikeet genetics and mutations offer endless possibilities for creating beautiful and unique birds. Whether you’re interested in breeding or simply fascinated by these colorful creatures, understanding the basics of lorikeet genetics can enhance your appreciation for these incredible birds.
Text and photos by: Lisa and Adam Lock
A guide for newcomers, and a helpful reminder for others. Once you understand how the basics work you will be able to pair birds to create multi mutation colors.
When I say ‘normal’ I am referring to a green bird without any color genetics.
Lorikeet genetics basic color genes consist of :
Lorikeet genetics: DOMINANT
Dominant colors are:
Grey-green
Jade
Aqua
When pairing a dominant bird with a normal the offspring can only be the dominant color or normal. The dominant color genes cannot produce a ‘split’.
Lorikeet genetics: RECESSIVE
Recessive colors are:
Dilute
Melanistic
Pied ( can also be placed in dominant – will explain later)
Fallow
When pairing a recessive bird with a normal all the offspring will appear to be normal however they will carry ‘half’ the recessive gene and are referred to as a ‘split’.
Think of it like this – two halves make a whole. Because there is no visual way of identifying a split, you are reliant on the seller’s honesty when purchasing split birds.
Two splits of the same recessive color paired together will produce offspring consisting of:
- Normal – offspring did not receive recessive gene from either parent.
- Split – offspring only received recessive gene from one parent.
- Recessive colour – offspring received recessive gene from both parents.
Hens and cocks can be split with the recessive colour genes.
PIED
Pied is recognized in two forms:
1. Single-factor ( visual split ) and
2. Double factor.
The old school thinking was to produce the more colorful bird being a double factor. To produce a double factor both parents need to be a single factor, however – true to the recessive gene, not all offspring will be a double factor, single factors or visual splits will also be produced.
Single-factor pieds are also referred to as ‘streaky heads’ or ‘streakies’ and are a beautiful genetic color in their own right.
SEX-LINKED
The sex-linked gene works a little bit differently. Only the males or cocks can be split to this gene. The females or hens are either colored or not.
Using Lutino as the color example, a lutino hen paired to a normal cock will produce all normal hen offspring and all split lutino cock offspring.
A split lutino cock paired with a lutino hen will produce normal hens, normal split lutino cocks, lutino hens, and lutino cocks.
DOUBLE FACTOR VERSUS DARK FACTOR
When pairing a dominant color gene with a partner of the same dominant color gene the offspring produced can receive a double dose from both parents. These offspring are referred to as Dark Factor or Double Factor, Dark Factor preferred so as not to be confused with Double Factor Pied.
In the case of Grey-green, the double factor offspring are considerably darker. In the case of Aqua, the offspring are considerably brighter and more intense with color. In the case of Jade, the offspring are generally darker with head and chest color intensified.
Double Factor Jade is Olive or True Olive. An olive mutation will produce jade offspring paired with a normal bird.
DOUBLE DARK FACTOR JADE (TRIPLE JADE)
Some controversy surrounds the Aqua gene. Some aqua birds can look normal as they can tend to molt the aqua color out upon maturity. However, genetics cannot disappear it is still there but may not be as visually obvious as when they were younger.
Typical of the aqua gene in rainbows birds that have little or no neck ring, green and or aqua color through the head, considerable yellow on the chest, and aqua bellies diffused with red.
See Image below
Here is a great genetic calculator for the Rainbow Lorikeet.
This article, Lorikeet genetics, is also available to download for free in the following edition:
https://www.wwbirds.co.za/dir/download/free-world-wide-birds-magazine-vol-1-no-3-2/
