Help with color of my new budgie

[snappyguy]

Hello, my name is Mark Russell and I live in Colorado. I recently purchased a budgie at a local pet shop because it has a great temperment and is a color I had never seen before. I'm not sure what it's called so if anyone could help I'd appreciate it. I've tried looking at some genetics sites and it seems like a dilute yellow-based bird. I have had 2 other budgies in the past and have never seen anything like this. Anyone have any ideas? I've attached a file showing it from the back. The cere is a light purple that you can barely see in the pic so I think it's a male but am uncertain. Please help.

[clicklbd]

Mark, I can't tell you what the sex is. I can't see enogh to say.

He's definitely a sort of green, as opposed to a lutino with some sort of cast (you can sometimes see a cast of a color on a lutino) because his cheek patch is blue. And because it's a lighter blue, I think you might be right about the dilution.

But above and beyond that, I'm not sure. I'm still learning too. Have fun with him!

[Kerry C]

Hello, my name is Mark Russell and I live in Colorado. I recently purchased a budgie at a local pet shop because it has a great temperment and is a color I had never seen before. I'm not sure what it's called so if anyone could help I'd appreciate it. I've tried looking at some genetics sites and it seems like a dilute yellow-based bird. I have had 2 other budgies in the past and have never seen anything like this. Anyone have any ideas? I've attached a file showing it from the back. The cere is a light purple that you can barely see in the pic so I think it's a male but am uncertain. Please help.

Mark

This is called a yellow, also known as a dilute/pastell - a recessive mutation. It is not what most people think of yellow as a dark butter color. If you want to be even more specific it's a light green yellow since it can come in grey green as well. There is no opaline about the bird, it's a normal in that area (talking aout the wing pattern)

This is Missy. She is an Opaline Grey Green Yellow. She took Best in Show at the 2007 Grand National Budgie Show in Long Beach, CA in October
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/1516230633_492335e425.jpg


Kerry

[snappyguy]

Thanks for the help. I've always kept budgies as pets and never really got into the genetics of them before but it's interesting to learn. Here's a headshot of my new little friend, Sprite.

[chompie_puppy]

You have a beautiful bird! So adorable!
I'm going to take a guess that Sprite is a male. But lets wait for more experienced members to tell you. :)

[snappyguy]

I think Sprite is a boy too. He's very gentle and doesn't mind being handled at all. Loves his birdie swing!

[Nika]

You have a beautiful green dilute budgie and IMO he is a boy.
Enjoy him.

[Budgietom]

Sprite is a wonderful name for a wonderful bird! I'd say ts a boy too.

[Celyste]

absolutely gorgeous boy. *steals him when you're not looking* ;-)

[BUUZBEE]

I think Sprite is a boy too. He's very gentle and doesn't mind being handled at all. Loves his birdie swing!

i agree, looks like a boy to me too, very cute!

[snappyguy]

I was looking at his leg band and head feathers today and noticed that his band said 08 and he still has stripes down to his cere indicating he has yet to undergo his first molt. At most this bird would be 7 1/2 weeks old. Can they be sexed at this young an age?

[clicklbd]

Yes. My boy was born 1/3/08. His clutch had 2 girls and 2 boys, and in addition to his breeder, I had another breeder evaluate the sex, as I wanted a boy.

[prettybird1212]

I love the color. And yes, Im pretty sure they can be sexed at as young as 6 weeks.