The Genetics of Color of Lovebirds

These are some of the more common terms you will hear when discussing the colors of parrots. However, these only scratch the surface.
Split: When a lovebird is said to be split to a certain color, the lovebird carries the color genetically but does not express it visually. It can pass this color to its young, depending on the mode of inheritance of the particular color. If you have two green birds split blue, they both look green but can have blue progeny. this gets more complicated when you have lovebirds split for sex-linked or sex-lined recessive colors. Splits are commonly written as the visual color, followed by a slash, then the split color. For example, green/blue denotes a visually green lovebird split blue. This convention will be used throughout this chapter. Because of splits, two lovebirds can be the same phenotype (they look the same) but be different genotypes (they carry different genetic information). This is why people are sometimes surprised by a baby in their clutches of peachfaced lovebirds. If you have two green lovebirds and lutino hatches in a clutch, you can be sure this baby is a hen because only a male can be split lutino and he can pass it only to his daughters.
Sex-linked: Colors that are sex-linked can be passed from the parent of one sex to babies of the opposite sex either as a split (hens to male babies) or as a visual color (cocks to female babies). To get babies of both sexes in the sex-linked color, both parents must carry the color, either visually or as a split. Only males can be split to a sex-linked color. Hens either show the color visually or do not carry it.
Dominant: You often hear about a color being dominant. Maybe you are a beginning breeder who put together a green hen and blue cock. You got all green babies and cannot figure out why you did bot get any blue babies. The reason is that green is a dominant color. Both parents must be blue, either visually or as a split, for the babies to express blue visually. Babies from the pair where only one parent is blue will be visually green, split blue. If you have two green parents split blue, you will get some visually blue babies.
Autosomal dominant: Genetic inheritance of an autosomal dominant trait depends on whether one or both parents carry the mutation. Pied is an example of an autosomal dominant mutation. If you have one green parent and one pied parent, some or all of the babies will be pied. If you have two pied parents, all babies will be pied.
Autosomal incomplete dominance: Both parents must show the color for babies to show it. However, the degree of the effect will vary depending on its expression in the parents. Violet factor is a good example of this. Violet can look very different in babies than in their parents. The appearance of both parents has impact on the apperance of progeny. A difference in appearance also occurs if both parents carry single or double violet factor. It either shows this color or does not carry it. However, double dark factors can obscure violet factors, which has led to the misconception that lovebirds can be split violet.
Inheritance of Lutino in Peachfaced Lovebirds*
Mother Father Females Babies Male Babies
Green Green/Lutino Green Green/Lutino
Lutino
Lutino Green Green Green/Lutino
Lutino Green/Lutino Green Lutino
Lutino Green/Lutino
Lutino Lutino Lutino Lutino**

* The color creamino can be substituted for Lutino to find the results for two lovebirds of the ground color blue.
** Breeding two red-eyed parents together is not considered a good practice. Your healthiest clutches with the highest percentages of lutino babies will come from the pairing of a lutino hen and a green split lutino cock.

Autosomal complete dominance: There will be no difference in appearance whether single or double factor. However, the number of factors influences the number of young inheriting the factor by increasing the percentages of babies showing this variety.
Autosomal recessive: Both parents must carry the mutation, either visually or as a split, for it to show visually in progeny. Two lovebirds split to an autosomal recessive color will have some babies of that color as well as babies that are their visual color. For example, a pair of white Fisher's split ino can have both white and albino babies. However, for sex-linked autosomal recessive mutations, such as lutino in peachfaced love birds, inheritance is as shown in the table below.
AS you can see if you put a hen who has a sex-linked recessive color with a cock who does not carry this color either visually or as a split, you will not get any babies that visually carry the color. However, all your males will be split to the sex-linked recessive color and can therefore pass it on to their daughters.

Peachfaced Lovebirds: Modes of Inherutance
Color Mode of Inheritance
Green Dominant
Blue Autosomal recessive
Pied Autosomal dominant
Ino (lutino or creamino) Sex-linked recessive
Cinnamon Sex-linked recessive
Dark Factors Autosomal incomplete dominant
Violet Factors Autosomal incomplete dominant
Whitefaced Autosomal recessive
Orangefaced Autosomal incomplete dominant

Masked Lovebirds: Modes of inheritance
Color Mode of Inheritance
Blue Autosomal recessive
Dilute Autosomal recessive
White Autosomal recessive
Ino A Autosomal recessive
Dark Factors Autosomal, codominant, incompletely dominant

Fisher's Lovebirds: Modes of Inheritance
Color Mode of Heritance
Blue Autosomal recessive
Dilute Autosomal recessive
Ino Autosomal recessive
Yellow* Autosomal recessive
Dark factor Autosomal. codominant, incompletely dominant
Violet factor Autosomal dominant


* A yellow/ino Fisher's results from the pairing of one ino parent and one yellow. These lovebirds are heterozygotic. They are yellow with black eyes. The overall color is more muted than seen in lutinos. Putting two yellow/ino Fisher's together will produce some lutino babies.

lovebird color geneticsModes of Inheritance
The tables above can guide you in determining how to pair parents to get the colors you would like in your babies. A number of other colors occurs, but these are the most commonly bred in these species.

The modes of inheritance for Fisher's and masked are quite similar to those for other eye-ring species. Note that most mutations are autosomal recessive, which means both parents must either visually show the mutation or carry it as a split for babies to show the mutation. Ino is not sex-linked in Fisher's or masked lovebirds.

This text has shown only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the genetics of color inheritance in lovebirds. Many books are totally devoted to this topic. You are encourraged to do further reading if you plan to start a color breeding program

Source: http://lovebirdlovers.com/color-genetics/41-color-genetics/73-genetic-terminology.html

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Look a Bird Cage for Lovebird

A Look At Lovebird Cages

Some of the most agreeable birds are Lovebirds. They also are one of the long-lasting birds from the parrot variety; People love them. Bird cages for Lovebird are created to suit good looking birds in it. That’s why it is much important that such bird cages has to be done of quality materials , fitted correctly to hold two birds.

What size is better for Lovebird bird cage?

Fortunately bird cages for Lovebird don’t have to be large. The reason is that they grow to six to six and half inches and about fifty – sixty grams. Lovebirds don’t grow too much like some other birds. This is a chance to try to fit two birds in one cage in their youngest period. If you can do this, you could use the same bird cage for them throughout their life.

It is not necessary Lovebird bird cage to be oversize, but the bird cages have to be big enough. So, before you go to take Lovebird as a pet, you have to thinkvery precisely about it, because of the fact that they are enormous engagement. These birds has a long lifetime – 20 years sometimes, that’s why if you really want to invest on Lovebirds, accessories or their bird cages must be sure about.

Let Your Lovebird Fly Free


The difference between Lovebirds and another parrots is, that other parrots demand larger bird cage. They tend to be biggest bird, that’s why they need to have bigger room . But Lovebirds don’t need big space, because they could be trained; so, they are able to flit around your home. Also, if you want, they could sit on your shoulder or even on a top of doorway.

Lovebird – friend for a life

Most of the good bird cages for lovebirds are much expensive. That’s why before to take a decision, you have to be absolutely sure to them. It would be good idea to let lovebird out of its bird cage, but to do or not to do this all this is up to you.

Lovebirds are great pets. The brilliance of their colors makes them not only great, but beautiful pets too. It’s absolutely obligatory to provide them good conditions for life as much as it is possible They could become sick if they have no enough food or bird cage, even accessories. So it is all depend on you to make their life good and happy.

Source: http://www.birdcagesblog.com/2008/07/look-at-lovebird-cages.html

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Training Lovebirds

The Lovebird is a popular type of small parrot. As the name suggests, they have great potential to become affectionate and loyal pets. But proper training and frequent interaction are required of this type of bird.


Lovebirds get their name from their sweet personalities, and from their tendency to dote on their mates. Wild Lovebirds can often be found preening and grooming their significant others. Pairs also sit and sleep very close together.



Lovebird Habitat and Characteristics

There are nine different species of Lovebirds. Eight of these can be found in the wild in Africa. The Madagascar Lovebird is the only one that is not native to Africa, and as its name suggests, it can be found in Madagascar.

Lovebirds come in a variety of colors. The various species all have unique characteristics, and there are mutations within most species as well. The popular Peach-Faced Lovebird usually has a peach colored face, green body, and blue hindquarters. But they can also be found in numerous other color combinations, and some do not even have peach faces.

The Fischers and Masked Lovebirds are the only species besides the Peach-Faced that are commonly kept as pets. They also come in a variety of color combinations. The biggest difference between these two species and the Peach-Faced Lovebird is the eye ring they both have.

Lovebirds are smaller than many parrot breeds, usually measuring 6 inches in length when fully grown. These birds are great for people who have limited space. They do, however, need a cage that gives them adequate room to play and explore.

The Lovebirds Personality

Its true that Lovebirds are characteristically sweet and loyal. But they thrive on interaction, whether it is with other birds or humans. If they do not get enough interaction, they can become rather temperamental.

It is a common misconception that Lovebirds must be kept in pairs. While they will enjoy one another's company, they may enjoy it too well. Mature pairs will often shun human interaction in favor of their mates. So if you are looking for a close relationship with your pet, the best thing to do is get one Lovebird and give it lots of attention.

Lovebirds are intelligent, and they are great at learning tricks. They can also be trained to whistle. Speech is not their strongest point, though some birds can learn to talk if they are trained while young. It doesn't hurt to try to train a Lovebird to talk, but don't get your hopes up too high. These birds actions speak louder than words anyway.

Lovebirds can be somewhat noisy, and some of them like to nip. Training Lovebirds with praise and treats for good behavior, can eliminate these behaviors. A well-trained Love Bird makes a great companion, and will happily reciprocate your love and attention.

To discover more parrot training tips and techniques, sign up for Dave Womach's free parrot training newsletter where you'll discover how to fix dozens of Lovebird behavior problems.

Author: Dave Womach
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dave_Womach

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Selecting Cage for Lovebirds

One important thing after selecting the lovebirds are selecting the right cage for your lovebird. Selecting the right cage for your lovebirds is an important part of lovebird care. The bird house should be with suitable and proper size for your loved Lovebirds. Cage size is very important when you prepare a home for your pets. The cage you buy should have sufficient room for it to play around. Your lovebird needs to be able to stretch and flap his wings without hitting the sides of the cage or any toys. There should be horizontal bars in the cage as lovebirds love climbing.

Lovebirds are so playfully and as in their nature they need plenty of toys to keep them busy while they are in their cages. The most important step in love bird care is the positioning of the cage. This crucial decision lays the foundation of your relationship with your lovebird. This also determines your lovebird's mood, playfulness and attitude to you and your family!

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Selecting your Lovebirds

There are so many Lovebirds you can select from petshop. When you select lovebirds always be cautious to select healthy birds. There are large varieties of lovebirds to choose from.for those of you who are beginners maybe you are confused to select the lovebirds. Do not be confused to choose, make sure always choose young hand-raised birds as they are easy to be tamed.Older, wild, colony or parent raised birds may prove difficult to tame. Pay a little attention to the activity of the birds, as their activities will reflect their health; buy those lovebirds which are in sound health. Choose birds from both the sexes to make breeding easy. Always have an eye on the colour of your bird as colorful birds attract eyes.

Lovebirds are actually nine species you can consider selecting as a pet Lovebird. Eight of this species are natives of the African continent. These are the Peach-faced Lovebird or Rosy-faced Lovebird that has two subspecies; Masked Lovebird or the Yellow-collared Lovebird, Fischer's Lovebird, Lilian's Lovebird, Black-cheeked Lovebird, the Abyssinian Lovebird also known as Black-winged Lovebird; Red-faced or the red-headed Lovebird has also two subspecies, Black-collared Lovebird that has three subspecies, and the Grey-headed Lovebird has two subspecies, which is a native to Madagascar, which is also known as the Madagascar lovebird.

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