Todays blog post is about Pied Lovebirds.
Pied lovebirds are a color mutation that creates a patchy color pattern. These traits can be recessive, dominant, or clear flight, depending on the gene combination. It can be barely distinguishable to heavily pied and no pied bird is ever the same! The pied mutation is a relatively new and uncommon mutation in the lovebird species. In the wild, lovebirds are not known to exhibit the pied trait, and it is believed to have originated through selective breeding by aviculturists.
This mutation causes a reduction in melanin, resulting in areas of white feathers mixed with the bird's natural coloration. Pied acts by removing melanin from selected portions through the plumage. Generally, these markings have no rhyme or reason, creating a scattered color theme. Most commonly, pied lovebirds are yellow, green, and blue.
Sometimes Pied will only leave small yellow patches on heads or single-colored flights, this is another indicator for pied; no matter how big or small the patterning may be, it still counts. Some pieds are primarily yellow, some primarily green. However, most fall somewhere in between, displaying both green and yellow feathers on the same bird at one time.
Breeding Pied lovebirds can be tricky, as the genetics of the mutation can be complex. When two Pied lovebirds are bred together, their offspring may be all Pied, all non-Pied, or a mix of the two. This is because the Pied mutation can be dominant or recessive, depending on the species and the specific mutation involved.
Pied lovebirds are also less common than other color mutations, such as lutino or albino, which have been selectively bred for a longer period of time and are therefore more prevalent in the pet trade.
Overall, Pied lovebirds are a fascinating and beautiful mutation that adds variety and interest to the already colorful world of lovebirds.
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