Color canaries occur in many colors, color intensities, and variegations. The colors are a result of genes that control melanin and lipochrome. They are bred for the color of their plumages rather than physical characteristics or songs.
These birds average about 5.5 inches or 14 cm in length.
They are bred for the color of their plumages rather than physical characteristics or song.
Color canaries occur in many colors, color intensities and variegations. The colors are a result of genes that control the melanin and lipochrome.
Categories:
Melanin:
Produces a black / brown ground color
The absence of melanin results in a clear bird. Presence of melanin results in degrees of variegation.
Lipochrome / Ino-Factor
Yellow bird is referred to as a Lutino – yellow ground color obtained from the wild canary
Red bird is a Rubino – red ground color achieved by crossing the South American Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata) with a yellow canary
White bird is an Albino / clear bird that lacks any melanin (pigments) in the feathers. Occurs in both dominant and recessive forms. The white of the dominant white canary is dominant to yellow (instead of being recessive). Dominant white canaries have a yellow tinge to the shoulders and the edges of the flight feathers (wings). Dominant white canaries may have dark or pink eyes, depending on the presence of the melanin.
Dilutions of the melanin factors and primary colors:
Ivory
Lipochrom Yellow Ivory
Lipochrom Red Ivory
Pastel
Levels of Variegation:
Clear: No variegation at all
Self: All dark, with no light feathers (unbroken)
Ticked: Melanin only affects a few feathers in a patch that is no bigger than a dime
Foul: One or two light feathers in wing flights or tail
Everything in between the ticked canary and the foul canary is known as “variegated”:
Lightly Variegated: Less than 50% dark markings
Medium Variegated: Between 50% – 74% dark markings
Heavily Variegated: More than 75% but less than 100% dark markings
The “Dilute Factor” refers to a paling or dilute factor in the lipochrome (called ivory) and pastel in the melanin.
Agates: Black and brown melanin pigment are reduced; producing a shade of grey.
Color Canaries
About the “Color” Bred Canary
Green (Wild Type)
Darkest black and brown melanin shade in yellow ground birds
Yellow Melanin
Mutation showing yellow ground color with brown and black pigment
Yellow Lipochrome
Mutation creating the loss of brown and black pigment leaving yellow ground color
Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.
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