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| WHITEFACE SILVER & WHITEFACE CINNAMON Copyright © 2005 Linda S. Rubin All Rights Reserved |
| 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
| c.2007 Nancy Johnson-Mello(click on thumbnail for larger image) |
| Whiteface Silver & Whiteface Cinnamon Copyright © 2005 LINDA S. RUBIN NCS Genetics Consultant/NCS Panel Judge www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com First published in the NCS March-April 2005 Journal All Rights Reserved Q. How can I tell the difference between Whiteface Recessive Silver and a Whiteface Cinnamon that has a grey shade to it? I’m becoming frustrated because a lot of breeders in my area don’t seem to know the difference to their appearance, or they try to sell a Whiteface Cinnamon as Whiteface Silver. I would love to find a Silver cockatiel with good size and form. Thank you, S.B. A. Because the melanin pigment has never been fully stabilized in either Silver or Cinnamon cockatiels - meaning they have not been linebred long enough in captivity - the shadings in these varieties and their crosses can vary slightly in degree. The more complex explanation is that the Silver or Cinnamon melanin granules located within the medulla of the feather barbs vary in their size and density, which produce the depth of pigment or various shades and tones. Hopefully, selective breeding will one day produce better-colored mutations within these compound Whiteface varieties when more aviculturists breed by the color descriptions set forth in show standards. We notice different shades of color all the time on the show bench. Through the years some Recessive Silvers have turned up quite light, while others exhibited a slightly deeper silver tone. The more desirable Cinnamons will show brown-toned shades, while others can carry more grey pigment. Furthermore, there are still a number of Cinnamons that reveal a reduction of cinnamon pigment on their backs producing a whitish, "marbling" effect, which is considered a color fault by the NCS Show Standard. Now, add the Whiteface gene to either mutation and you may find a further dilution or color modification - although certainly quality individuals can be produced that exhibit the colors desired. Some Whiteface Cinnamons with more grey pigment, compared to brown pigment, can be confusing and look very much like a Whiteface Silver. However, the caveat here is to look for a bird with plum eyes, because a Whiteface Recessive Silver mutation will have red (plum, or ruby colored) eyes that will usually be noticeable when examined under good lighting. In contrast, a Whiteface Dominant Silver has dark black eyes, dark pigmented feet, legs and beak - often with a darker “skull cap” shading the head and neck - and its plumage has a more metallic tone. The ground color of Whiteface Cinnamons should be brown, or at worst, brownish-grey. As with any of the Whiteface varieties, all males will exhibit a white facial mask and both genders will lose the orange cheek patches plus any yellow on the body which, when closely inspected, may be replaced by white. LSR. |
| c.2007 Nancy Johnson-Mello (click on thumbnail for larger image) |
| Series by Linda S. Rubin |
| Multiple Bird Households by Linda S. Rubin |
