Posted November 13, 201113 yr Greetings from Western Canada. (I note there are others from the area on here as well). I have, just today, brought home my first budgie in 25 years. I have a cockatiel, and we decided to get him a buddy. They will not be housed together, but after the quarantine period is done they will be in the same room. She (assumption) is supposed to be about 11 weeks old, she is not tame but doesn't freak out when my hand is near her or I stroke her back (gently) or her beak, so that's a good start. I've been browsing through many of the areas of the forum, and am thankful that so many knowledgeable people are willing to share - things have changed a great deal in 25 years and I'm glad I found this place. Pictures follow - (s)he isn't nearly as blue as they show - she's more of a dove grey with a hint of blue on her belly and cheeks. Any input as to her possible genetic makeup would be gratefully accepted Natural light: With flash: Side shot! Edited November 13, 201113 yr by Laurie-Anne
November 13, 201113 yr Welcome Laurie-Anne, I'm new here too, lots of info on here about anything budgies! Your budgie is definitely a hen as she has a brown cere. Mutation.........maybe mauve greywing?? My guess only! Probably wrong......... Anyone else???? One thing is for sure you will definitely know by the end of this thread. There are some very experienced breeders on here who will be able to give you a more definite answer. Cheers Have fun roaming the boards!
November 13, 201113 yr Hi and welcome Pretty budgie ............she isnt 11 wks....she is more like 5-6 months. and she may be a greywing spangle Edited November 13, 201113 yr by **KAZ**
November 13, 201113 yr Author Hi and welcome Pretty budgie ............she isnt 11 wks....she is more like 5-6 months. and she may be a greywing spangle I had my suspicions about her age, everything I was reading about the head stripes, the cere, etc. Thanks
November 14, 201113 yr Hi and welcome Pretty budgie ............she isnt 11 wks....she is more like 5-6 months. and she may be a greywing spangle I had my suspicions about her age, everything I was reading about the head stripes, the cere, etc. Thanks And her iris rings. Welcome to the forum!
November 14, 201113 yr Author Yes, and the iris rings, which I didn't clue into until I took the picture. And thanks for the welcomes!
November 16, 201113 yr Author Well, the visit to the vet was today, turns out Pipsqueak is a year old (maybe more), and it would seem she is a clearwing-greywing-saddleback-spangle-violet In other words, she's a mutt Which is fine with me, she's very pretty and rather clever, so I'm good with it.
November 16, 201113 yr Well, the visit to the vet was today, turns out Pipsqueak is a year old (maybe more), and it would seem she is a clearwing-greywing-saddleback-spangle-violet In other words, she's a mutt Which is fine with me, she's very pretty and rather clever, so I'm good with it. Sorry ...............I think your vet is a DUD...no good. Not only did he get the age wrong but also the mutation...........you cant have a bird whose both clearwing and greywing on the same bird. It can either be clearwing or greywing not both. If clearwing the body colour wouldnt be as washed out. I think I mentioned greywing spangle which it can be but the vet is dreaming saddleback and the clearwing/greywing combo. If Pipsqueak was a year or older the iris rings would be solid white and they arent. The vet is no good
November 16, 201113 yr Author I'm sorry, I should have been more specific - the vet said she is sexually mature, probably around a year old, definitely more than 11 weeks (I snorted there), and likely between eight and twelve months, though after twelve months it is more difficult to tell for sure. The genetics were advised from a breeder, essentially she was saying there was probably a bit of various lines in her, meaning there could be clearwing and greywing somewhere in her bloodline, as well as saddleback (her feathers are really really washed out on the middle of her back, but it had to be pointed out to me), a bit of spangle based on colour distribution...... Basically she said without the breeders bloodlines she figures that Pipsqueak is a "mutt". I will be talking to the lady with whom I board my 'tiel (and now Pipsqueak), as she bred budgies for decades, and is very well versed in genetics - she will likely see Pipsqueak in the next few weeks, and I will likely get a more definitive answer after she examines Pipsqueak. The vet clinic is actually well respected, as are the vets - it is an avian clinic, not a generic vet's (did that once, only once - I have a choice so no more). It's hard to tell in pictures, even her colouring is a bit different in the pictures than in real life. I do appreciate the feedback. Thank you.
November 17, 201113 yr I'm sorry, I should have been more specific - the vet said she is sexually mature, probably around a year old, definitely more than 11 weeks (I snorted there), and likely between eight and twelve months, though after twelve months it is more difficult to tell for sure. The genetics were advised from a breeder, essentially she was saying there was probably a bit of various lines in her, meaning there could be clearwing and greywing somewhere in her bloodline, as well as saddleback (her feathers are really really washed out on the middle of her back, but it had to be pointed out to me), a bit of spangle based on colour distribution...... Basically she said without the breeders bloodlines she figures that Pipsqueak is a "mutt". I will be talking to the lady with whom I board my 'tiel (and now Pipsqueak), as she bred budgies for decades, and is very well versed in genetics - she will likely see Pipsqueak in the next few weeks, and I will likely get a more definitive answer after she examines Pipsqueak. The vet clinic is actually well respected, as are the vets - it is an avian clinic, not a generic vet's (did that once, only once - I have a choice so no more). It's hard to tell in pictures, even her colouring is a bit different in the pictures than in real life. I do appreciate the feedback. Thank you. I think you can safely rule out Saddleback. It's supposed to be extremely rare. And according to descriptions I could find, the grey marked areas turn to black markings further down the wings. There weren't too many images for it when I googled it, pretty much just the two found on this site: http://budgiesareawe...utations-6.html Those two photos turn up all over the place. I'm looking forward to hearing what the lady you board with has to say after she sees Pipsqueak in person.
