Eclectus mutations

[Brodie]

After seeing so much of this blue mutation Eclectus lately I decided to see what other mutations there are. I found yellow, all red, and rainbow eclectus' ect.
But I just need to know, how do these mutations occur in the first place?
I've done some research and read that they can occur after being fed a bad diet and that it is heretitary. I don't think this is completely right?
So is it a mutation, or a health issue?
For a species that is mainly red and blue, green, or red and purple, where are they getting all these different colours from? Same for the blue amazon.

 

[MonicaMc]

Green is a combination of yellow and blue. If the yellow pigments are lacking, you get a blue bird. If the blue pigments are lacking, you get a yellow bird.

Mammals have one pigment that controls colors - melanin. Parrots have two; melanin and psittacin (aka psittacofulvins). Also, the way that light reflects off of the feathers changes the way the feathers appear.

Melanin typically controls blues, greys, browns and black.

Psittacin typically controls the reds, oranges and yellows.



Here's some websites about color. One on colors in parrots in general, one about cockateils, and two about wild birds (not parrots).
What Gives Feathers Their Color | Parrot Parrot
ACS - Articles
All About Birds : Color
Young Naturalists - The Nature of Feathers: Minnesota DNR



Except for a couple of mutations, the color the bird is born with is the color they should be for life (not counting where-in some birds are sexually dimorphic but juvenile males appear as females until they molt into their adult colorations). In other words, if the bird is born normal, but changes to yellow, red or dark green (or some other abnormality) later in life, this is typically a sign of health problems. (liver, dietary, etc). If a bird is born a color other than normal/wild type, and remains that color after 1-2 years, and that color can be reproduced within offspring, then it is a mutation. If a bird is born a color other than normal/wild type, and keeps the color after 1-2 years, but is unable to reproduce that color (breeding to sibling/parent/similar colored bird), then it's an anomaly/modification. (i.e. halfsiders)



If you want to be more specific... it's about the genetic code of the bird. If a DNA strand gets altered/damaged or replaced, this can result in a color change in the bird. Articles about that below.
How do Mutations Occur? / What Causes DNA Mutations?
What is a gene mutation and how do mutations occur? - Genetics Home Reference



Eclectus are one species that are highly sensitive to changes in diet and things they consume. An eclectus on medications while going through a molt may change color during the molt as new feathers come in a different color. However, assuming the eclectus is healthy the next molt, the odd colored feathers will be replaced with normal colored feathers. This cannot be considered a true mutation.

I have seen one male eclectus that was born a normal green bird, but when he was an adult (at least 3-6 years old?) he started losing melanin from his feathers and he turned yellow. It progressed to the point that even his feet and beak were losing melanin. As of yet, I do not know if this is a mutation, genetic anomaly, or if it could be something more than that. It's been several months now since I last heard about this particular bird. That said, there is a mutation known as "acquired" or "grizzled" pied. I don't know if this mutation can in fact be passed onto offspring, and there isn't much information out there on the web about it. It's probably the parrot version of vitiligo in humans (aka why Michael Jackson turned white!).

 

[Brodie]

Thank you!

That was really interesting!

 

[LoveMyParrots]

The yellow ones looks pretty cool, but I still love the blue! Beautiful!

And MonicaMc, you're a bird expert! Thank you for the post! I learnt a lot!

 

[MonicaMc]

Welcome.