We have been admiring him for weeks and couldn't resist bringing him home! Meet Twilight who joined us yesterday . He is the most beautiful rich colour that is more purple than the photos show, and has really pretty markings. On the back of his head he has a tiny white patch, don't know if it means anything. I think he's a violet of some sort, maybe opaline??? as he has colour through his wings. I'm too new at this to really know. So what do you think he is ?

 

I'm going to say a Normal Cobalt Cock

Normal violet cock, maybe carrying pied but that spot is tiny. It is very hard to get a true violet bird to look the correct colour in a photo

Edited November 18, 200816 yr by melbournebudgies

Make sure you quarantine 30 days from your existing bird you may have but just adding.

He reminds me of Merlin, he is a Normal Violet Cobalt Cock carrying Recessive Pied gene (that is what the white spot means on the back of the head)

I agree with Elly, that spot could be a random feather or split rec pied- its quite small to be sure. Also the bit of colour through the wings- Ive found with mine that are like that there is the opaline gene in play so probably split opaline too. But again cant be sure unless you know parents or you breed him.

Agreed violet normal maybe split recessive pied.

I agree too. Normal cobalt violet probably split for recessive pied

Thanks everyone for your input, isn't he beautiful! It's a shame the colour comes out blue on the computer, he's just that gorgeous colour of the Jacarandas and Agapanthus flowering at the moment! I'll keep trying to get an accurate photo of him for my records (violet owners - any tips?). I have him in quarantine now, but can't wait to breed from him hopefully next year !

Very hard to get violets to photograph well so I know what you mean. We who have violets and post their pictures are always getting comments on the "blue" bird when what we see is an intense purple at home. If all else fails, take the photos and then photoshop to get the exact purple colour you are seeing, so others can see it too.

Best photos of violets are taken in shade conditions...low light.

Edited November 18, 200816 yr by KAZ

Very hard to get violets to photograph well so I know what you mean. We who have violets and post their pictures are alwasy getting comments on the "blue" bird when what we see is an intense purple at home. If all else fails, take the photos and then photoshop to get the exact purple colour you are seeing, so others can see it too.

Best photos of violets are taken in shade conditions...low light.

 

Thanks Kaz, will try low light !

Wow I think I must be starting to get the hang of this mutations thing... I had a look with the intent of trying to practise what I've been been reading and guessed Normal Cobalt cock possibly with recessive pied gene. Now I don't consider myself to know anything still, but it was nice to see all the replies echoing my guess!

Thanks everyone for your input, isn't he beautiful! It's a shame the colour comes out blue on the computer, he's just that gorgeous colour of the Jacarandas and Agapanthus flowering at the moment! I'll keep trying to get an accurate photo of him for my records (violet owners - any tips?). I have him in quarantine now, but can't wait to breed from him hopefully next year !

 

I have found the best way to photographic Merlin is in the sunlight next to a window and at an angle not directly toward the window or he will come out black. and the window bright and you don't want to put on the back lighting on the camera because that is another type of flash.

Thanks everyone for your input, isn't he beautiful! It's a shame the colour comes out blue on the computer, he's just that gorgeous colour of the Jacarandas and Agapanthus flowering at the moment! I'll keep trying to get an accurate photo of him for my records (violet owners - any tips?). I have him in quarantine now, but can't wait to breed from him hopefully next year !

 

I have found the best way to photographic Merlin is in the sunlight next to a window and at an angle not directly toward the window or he will come out black. and the window bright and you don't want to put on the back lighting on the camera because that is another type of flash.

 

You might try photographing without flash under a special fluorescent bird light, usually purchased from the same companies who manufacture and/or distribute fluoro lights for fish tanks. The give out levels of UVA and UVB similar to natural sunlight and are used by breeders who breed indoors (or SHOULD be). Might be no better though than just photographing the bird in sunlight. Perhaps worth a try. I think the difficulty in photographing violets is the reflective properties of the feathers carrying the colour. Jaz