Genetics Question of the Month

QUESTION
I am trying to figure out what color and sex the babies are that I have in a clutch where
the female is Lutino Pearl split to Whiteface and the father is an "Albino."
Thank you,
Jessica Caldwell

ANSWER
In order to understand the term "Albino," and the following equation, we must first
understand the terminology. In cockatiels, we have yet to produce a true, spontaneous
Albino mutation. Rather, what we have is a cross between two primary mutations, the
recessive Whiteface, with the sex-linked Lutino mutation in the same bird. This
Whiteface Lutino, which is the actual name of the mutation, is sometimes loosely
referred to as "Albino," because the phenotype or outward physical appearance does
mimic what we would expect an Albino to look like, an all white bird with red eyes and
pink feet and beak.

However, when charting genetic expectations, we have no gene for "Albino," because
as a single mutation, it does not exist. We must therefore use the correct genotype,
Whiteface (ww) and Lutino (LL), to indicate the visual cross mutation (Whiteface Lutino)
so that we can determine the genetic offspring in our table of expectations.

Although cockatiel fanciers may use terms such as "Albino" when describing these
birds, it is prudent to be aware that using these misnomers will add to the confusion in
the future, should a true Albino mutation arises spontaneously as a true primary
mutation. The occurrence of a true, spontaneous Albino occurring some time in the
future is a real possibility.

The charting of offspring for a Lutino Pearl split Whiteface hen, to a Whiteface Lutino
male, will produce the following gametes as listed below. Statistically, there is a one in
four possibility of producing any of the following:

25% Whiteface Lutino split Pearl males
(Gametes = XL X LP - ww)

25% Lutino split Whiteface and Pearl males
(Gametes = XL X LP – nw)

25% Whiteface Lutino females
(Gametes = XL Y - ww)

25% Lutino split Whiteface females
(Gametes = XL Y – nw)

It must be remembered that the above percentages are based on every 100 chicks
produced over a lifetime of production. It is not unusual to find several of one particular
possibility, e.g., two Whiteface Lutino females and perhaps no Whiteface Lutino split
Pearl males in the first nest, and then the reverse in a future nest. The percentages will
eventually even out to the above predictions over time with the more chicks produced.
(Note: it is important to insert here that pairs should never be over-bred and must be
adequately rested between clutches, raising only two clutches per season optimum.
Please refer to the Breeding Articles of the Article Archives for further information).

Hope this helps,

Linda S. Rubin

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