| ORIGINAL BOOK REVIEW by Dr. Rainer R. Erhardt "Well, there is help on the horizon and anyone seriously interested in color genetics should take a look at Linda Rubin's book: COCKATIEL GENETICS MADE EASY! Though this book is primarily directed to breeders of cockatiel mutations, there is enough information in this volume to teach anyone the secrets of dealing with recessive, sex-linked, and dominant mutations..." ACBM, Vol. 65, No.12 CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW! 112 pages, 15 chapters, glossary & more! |
Copyright 2007 Linda S. Rubin
| Multiple Bird Households by Linda S. Rubin |
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| WHITEFACE COCKATIELS COPYRIGHT © 2005 BY LINDA S. RUBIN www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com This article first appeared in the October 2005 issue of BIRD TIMES Magazine and the August 24, 2006 issue of CAGE & AVIARY BIRDS (UK) With the appearance of the Whiteface mutation, color breeding in cockatiels grew substantially, producing a plethora of Whiteface cross mutations appealing to newcomers, hobbyists, and seasoned aviculturists alike. From the subtle elegance of the Whiteface Cinnamon Pearl, to the boldly striking Whiteface Lutino (or artificial “Albino”), these enticing beauties became highly desirable and greatly coveted for their ability to change the map of cockatiel color genetics for decades to come. Although the Whiteface mutation had a dramatic effect upon color plumage, the rules governing its inheritance are quite straightforward. To understand the Whiteface mutation and its effect upon other color mutations, we need only take a brief look at cockatiel color pigments. Simply stated, there are two major groups of color pigments in cockatiels. The first group is made up of melanins, which display the body or ground color. All shades of grey, brown and silver colors in cockatiels are the melanin pigments found in varying degrees and intensities, depending upon the quantities of melanin granules deposited within affected feathers. Heavier deposits of granules are responsible for darker pigments, while lesser quantities demonstrate more pastel tones. The second group of pigments includes the carotenoids, the reddish to dull orange and yellow tones found in cockatiels. Depending upon their density, carotenoid pigments are also found in varying shades and intensities in selected feathers. Because the Whiteface mutation has lost the capacity to produce orange and yellow carotenoid pigments, it lacks the traditional orange “cheek patch,” or ear covert feathers that we usually associate with cockatiels. Adult Whiteface males are easy to identify by their completely white facial mask covering the entire face once reaching adulthood, typically at one year of age. However, adult Whiteface female cockatiels, including all immature Whiteface young, lack the orange cheek patch and fail to develop the adult male’s white facial mask of maturity. Upon the establishment of the mutation, the term “Whiteface” as proper nomenclature was debated as a misnomer, because only the adult male goes on to develop the full white facial mask. Adult Whiteface females color out in the same manner as their adult Normal Grey female counterparts, acquiring only a few, sparse flecks of white on the face, typically on the forehead, chin, eyes and lores. Instead of developing the full white facial mask found in males, females exhibit only faint, ghostly-white “imprints,” merely hinting of where the orange cheek patches once appeared. Immature males, however, acquire increasing amounts of white on the mask until they develop the full white facial mask denoting sexual maturity. Because the Whiteface mutation is unable to express carotenoid pigments, any yellow coloration in either gender is also lost. The round yellow spots found under the wing flights and the yellow barring found on the undersides of tail feathers in the Normal Grey and other Whiteface cross mutations is also absent. Because the yellow coloration is lost, any wing spots or tail barrings may only be expressed in white. White markings actually signify a complete lack of color because both carotenoid and melanin pigments are absent. The Whiteface Pied was an early favorite cross mutation, combining the pied pattern with the Whiteface mutation together within the same individual. Because the gene for Whiteface eliminates yellow carotenoid pigment, the entire pied wash is expressed only in white. The Whiteface Lutino is an artificial or manmade “Albino” cross-mutation, produced by crossing the Whiteface and Lutino mutations together that carry the correct genotypes. From selected pairings of Whiteface and Lutinos that carried the necessary genes, a small percentage of “Albino” cross mutations were first created. These Whiteface Lutinos, or “Albinos,” appear entirely white with pink legs and feet, depigmented light horn beaks, and red eyes. The Whiteface Lutino results from the loss of all melanin and carotenoid pigmentation, leaving the plumage white. The eyes appear red because they have lost any melanin pigment to darken them. The red blood vessels, situated behind the eye, are now clearly visible because the transparent eye, lacking the usual melanin pigment, can no longer hide them from view. Other established Whiteface mutations include the Whiteface Pearl, which adds white pearl lacings to the grey melanin ground color on the neck, shoulders, mantle, and back of heavier marked individuals. The Whiteface Cinnamon replaces the grey ground colour with brown, by modifying the melanin pigment, producing a brown and white colored cockatiel. Additional popular favorite combinations available from breeders include Whiteface Cinnamon Pieds, Whiteface Cinnamon Pearls, Whiteface Cinnamon Pearl Pieds, and Whiteface Dominant Silvers, among others. Whiteface cockatiels were first imported into the United States during 1980, and now over a quarter of a century later, they are still a favorite choice to combine with new mutations for test-breeding purposes, or in combinations with the new rare colors in order to produce some of the most exquisite new color combinations that we enjoy today. |
| WHITEFACE COCKATIELS EXPLAINED Copyright © 2005 Linda S. Rubin All Rights Reserved |
| c.2007 Nancy Johnson-Mello (click thumbnail for larger image). |
Copyright 2006 Linda S. Rubin