Manny Arquette comments:
The Harlequin are composite birds I developed over a period of four years with introducing many genetic modifiers to achieve a pigeon expressing three or more distinct colors on the one embodiment. I have since bred a Pink-laced variety of Harlequin.
Globally unique Pink-laced Harlequin hen and Amber Bar cock
Manny Arquette comments:
The Amber Bar mutation represents the closest comparison to orange pigmentation I have witnessed to have been phenotypically expressed on a homing pigeon. The glorious wonderment of Nature appears to have no bounds embracing color.
A globally unique Pearl-eye Chrome-self Phenotype
Manny Arquette comments:
A mutative globally unique Pearl-eye Chrome-self Phenotype that must assuredly be the greatest achievement for me to have bred to date. It was and still is hard to reconcile how it is possible for a pigeon to exhibit this Chrome coloration and upon viewing the bird it looks to have been immersed in a vat of chrome. My wife Lynne just had to name him ‘Al Foil’ and one wonders what other beautiful color variety may yet be conceived
A Silver-Collar, White-Bar Reduced Hen with Variegated-Primaries
Manny Arquette comments:
With also having realized a dominant genetic modifying trait for variegated-primaries that first came to light on a Andalusian cock bird and has been further developed to be exhibited on other color varieties, I find the expression most appealing, especially when a bird sunning itself fans out its wings. As can be observed this dual pigment/non pigment factor is expressed on each and every primary. Also noted is the intensity of non pigmented expression relative to overall pigmented feathering and I am presently trying to determine why this non-pigmented intensity is definitively so…
Globally Unique Harlequin Phenotype
Manny Arquette comments:
This captivating mutative Harlequin Bar with stockings and exhibiting four distinct colors in its embodiment has to be one of the most magnificently colored birds I have been so fortunate to produce. The pattern and color shade is much the same to both sides of the shield and in sunlight a faint pastel lilac shade to plumage may be observed. As breeders can clearly see the pigeon exhibited has without question the defining and individually varied color sequence of a genuine Harlequin specimen.
Charcoal-head and Crescent Platinum Bar
Manny Arquette comments:
A long awaited genotype and one I was starting to think was not possible to achieve, I believe this globally unique mutative Charcoal-head and Crescent Platinum Bar is not only a major accomplishment, but also prove to be a defining Dominant genetic modifying trait of expression towards producing other extreme contrasting color variations on the one embodiment.
Mutative Shadowing Ash-Red Dilute – Shadowing Yellow
Manny Arquette comments:
The phenotype exhibits the degree of melanistic expression to the shield and demonstrating the dominant modifying affect of the Shadowing trait upon the Ash-Red variety.
Mutative Clouded Ash-Red Checker
Manny Arquette comments:
I discovered and named the genetically modifying trait in 2008.
Defining Clouded: Not translucent or transparent – hazy and unclear in definition, i.e. dull in overall color presentation of phenotype.
Clouded and Marbled effect pigment in a diametric manner with Clouded appearing somewhat hazy. In comparison a Marbled phenotype displays a higher degree of sheen in the vicinity of the head, crop and shield.
A lesson in Logical Reasoning towards avian scientific validation: First let me say that you don’t have to be an ‘Einstein’ to understand the above concept that will open the way for one and all to make better judgments in our daily lives. I have no intention to push my philosophical ideas and logical observations on anyone, merely to offer another path towards enlightenment. Those who might disagree with any statements are welcome to their opinion. Throughout our life we will be exposed to many ideas from various sources and some opinions expressed may relate to a beloved hobby of choice – such as keeping pigeons.
It has to be said that not all opinions that float about the Internet are sound in their context and we are left in the wilderness when the crunch comes to evaluate which of these are scientifically based and which simply hold no worthwhile value.
I believe we creatures of God are pretty well much the same in our genetic composition and behaviour – as nature intended: we have sex to procreate, we eat and drink, we digest and expel our food in the same manner, we mate and have offspring, we fight and play and so forth and so on. In knowing this then surely it stands to reason that skin or feather color has evolved in much the same manner and although it may be argued we humans possess a soul and all other creatures do not – with keeping religion at bay, I believe soul or no soul we are all genetically linked and our evolutionary path is also closely tied and this does not preclude color.
Black-Ash Pigeon
Manny Arquette comments:
This Black-Ash pigeon exhibited is a globally unique color variety of Columba livia and assuredly the greatest mutation to have been realized since the evolution of the Rock Dove. I now have several offspring towards further research development.
Globally Unique Mutative Ash-Red Yellow-Saddle Phenotype
Manny Arquette comments:
The phenotypic expression of dilute plumage within the shield of an Ash-Red Genome, or yellow on red phenotype. For a time, I doubted it was possible to achieve, but then again, I was also given to believe it was not remotely possible to achieve a Black-Ash, or even realize widespread melanistic expression on an Ash-Red Phenotype!
So having observed a scattering of yellow feathers on a fledgling, I was given reason to believe my breeding experiments were on a positive path towards visual determination.
Mutative Heterozygous Spread-Slate Homing Pigeon Hen
Manny Arquette comments:
Globally unique Mutative Heterozygous Spread-Slate. If we are to fully understand the evolutionary transition of Columbidae to its having transformed from the species former dove status to the phenotypic embodiment as observed today, one needs to not only research its genetic development by way of well documented observation through the powers of the microscope, but to also clearly comprehend and evaluate the evolutionary dynamics that contributed to the many progressive changes as seen today.
The domesticated and wild pigeon has undergone substantial genetic transformation by way of mutative conception and is the predominant reason why it has adapted so well throughout its vast habitat to become so prolific and on a global scale.
Faded Charcoal-Face Dark-Phase Ash-Red Dilute Pigeon Hen
Manny Arquette comments:
A globally unique mutative Faded Charcoal-Face Dark-Phase Ash-Red Dilute hen with white flights split for Platinum.
The Charcoal-Face genetic trait was first realized within a year of research and intensive cross breeding with other color varieties towards development is responsible for many of the unique modifying traits to have been expressed over the years.
For example: The Black-Ash variety, Charcoal-Head Spread-Ash, Shadowing Ash-Red Dilute and Charcoal-Head Barless Mealy.
Ash-Red T-Pattern Velvet Pigeon Hen
Manny Arquette comments:
This particular color variety of Columba livia exhibits great depth of color intensity to the norm and a most captivating specimen to behold. I firmly believe the T-Pattern Velvet color variety to be yet another mutation encompassing the Dominant Ash-Red Genome.
Zebra-pattern Slate Phenotype with Bronze-Crescent
Manny Arquette comments:
Globally unique mutative Zebra-pattern Slate phenotype with Bronze-crescent and white Flights. This eye-catching hen has distinct melanistic barring separated with light plumage throughout the wing shield. Exhibited in the likeness of the Zebra the mutative color variety aptly classified a Zebra-Pattern Slate.
A globally unique mutative Homozygous Spread-Slate Pigeon bred in 2008.
Manny Arquette comments:
The Slate Genotype is proof beyond a doubt that it is not genetically linked to the three colors principle of Ash Red, Blue/Black and Brown.
It has been well established and validated by my documented and photographed research that the mutative Autosomal Spread Slate is also divisible by three genetic factors: Homozygous, Heterozygous and Dilute or Pale-grey.
Order of evolutionary conception: Autosomal Dominant Slate: – Slate Checker, Slate Bar, Black-Satin-Slate, Golden-Shield-Slate, Heterozygous Spread-Slate, Homozygous Spread-Slate, Dilute or Pale-Grey Slate.
Mutative Harlequin Homer
Shadowing Almond Homer Hen
Manny Arquette comments:
A globally unique mutative Shadowing Almond Homer. I discovered and named the genetic modifying trait.
