Gorgeous new budgies - any ideas on mutations?

[alarches]

Hi there, my first post here

I'm a beginner in the different variations but I'm getting really interested in budgie genetics since I bought Sparky!!

He's a violet (more a cobalt with hint of skyblue) with violet wings, collar and around the vent. Born Aug 2011. That's as much as I know about him!

I have been trying to figure out what variations my new budgie has, she is dilute grey with violet which makes her a slate grey/mauve colour.

Also, if the little one is a female; I would love for them to have a clutch of eggs one day. I'm keen to hear what people think the chicks would look like.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Fiona

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[BudgiesBuddy]

Hi Alarches and welcome to forum

Sparky is a Cobalt Male.
The other budgie is a male and I need better and bigger pictures to be sure about mutation.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Check this link

Guide for Posting Pictures for Mutations.

[tariq]

The second one is really nice.
Looks like an Opaline Grewing Grey or Muave Cock.

Interesting to see what others think.

[alarches]

Hi BudgiesBuddy and tariq, thanks for replying and the lovely comments :-)

I checked the link, thanks BB.

I'm not shocked my baby is a male, the cere looks purple today with lightening around the nostrils. We called her Sweetie, but may change that to Speedy!

I bought Sparky from an exhibition breeder; he told me he was sky-blue-violet and they are not too common at the moment which 'sparked' an interest as I study genetics in uni.

I have taken more pictures but my camera is hesitant to show off Sparky's purple cheeks, wings, head and vent areas so I played with the camera settings to enhance red hue and saturation, I will upload those in a few days once I downsize them ;D we will have to wait and see...

Any more comments with this new picture??

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[alarches]

more close up - bearing in mind the bluish areas are enhanced in my photos - the cheek patch is a light grey/lilac colour.
The cere is lilac today - not pink anymore
and the blue feathers you can see, actually have a mauve hint.

But I'm not sure how to get the right settings!
(Taken with a Canon G9)

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[Hezz]

I really love the colouring of your new boy. He is a pretty little thing.

[nev90]

Sparky is opaline. I think that violet sky blue is more likely than cobalt

Your new bird is an opaline greywing male and judging by his cheek patches he is probably mauve rather than grey

[tariq]

Hi Nev. What it difference between cheeck patches of Grey and Muave birds?

[alarches]

Thanks for your comments Hezz and Nev, he is very pretty, I'm looking forward to seeing him fully grown.

I think the mauve birds have purple patches and grey have definite grey patches.

Sparky's funny, he yabbas on in Sweetie's face (knocking his beak gently and stuff) but wont let Sweetie into his personal space when sweetie comes towards him!

Thinking about getting a hen from a breeder, as my daughter is devastated Sweetie is a male!! Would 2 cocks and a hen be okay together do you think?

[Hezz]

I had that combination, Fiona. I firstly had a male, then got a female and then another male. There were no real issues. My hen, Smudge, is very dominating, and ruled(s) with a beak of steel. With her as a baby she tried to be friends with my first male, who didn't get the whole bird in his personal space bit. They co-existed rather than had any sort of relationship. I then got another male and the two boys became firm friends, with Smudge ruling the roost still. My new male was aviary bred and raised so had much better bird-etiquette, so my first male was happy to allow him near, to the extent of allowing Sparky to feed him. Unfortunately my first male died just before Easter so now it is just the two young ones, cock and hen. Their relationship is a work in progress. Smudge is still the dominant bird but Sparky gives as good back and doesn't back down from her, when she is being snipey. Hope this helps.

[alarches]

Thanks for your helpful reply Hezz, I love your birds names ;-) Sad to hear about Bluey though, hope Sparky got through it okay.
It's reassuring to hear that the 3 didn't fight or get distressed. I think I will get a hen soon then, Sparky and Speedy (was Sweetie!) are even closer these last few days, they act like shadows to each other, I think they will be fine with a bossy boots leading them around the livingroom!

[Hezz]

I think the lads find each other easier to get on with than a stroppy hen, lol. Oh yeah, I didn't register your Sparky's name, sorry. Speedy is a great name for a little wizz-fizz, which is what my Sparky is. I think he was a fighter-pilot in a previous life!

[alarches]

I was ogling Speedy earlier out the garden, he's really gorgeous pastel colours at the moment but he seems to be changing patterns. He has faint grey stripey markings on his new breast feathers - like they are on his head (in comparison to Sparky who has fairly even breast feather colour). Different...

Do you think these markings will get darker? Is it normal for budgies to get darker feathers as they grow, or more pronounced markings??
I ask because I saw another pastel coloured young bird on here recently who now has a bright yellow face and more pronounced colours. How exciting!

Fi

Pics to follow soon... ;D

[Hezz]

Some do darken up with maturity. How old is Speedy? But not all go through such dramatic colour changes. I feel you may be thinking of Rachael's Dex. He really did brighten up as he matured. Sparky may well do something similar.