Sunday, March 3, 2013

Beware of hybridization

Some birds are close enough genetically to hybridize.  Some folks to this deliberately, but in general, it is a good idea to avoid hybridization in order to keep a species' genes pure.  Accidents can still happen though.  I have learned that sometimes young males are able to breed earlier than expected.  My grey full red fronted opaline male turquoisine was able to fertilize the eggs of a cinnamon scarlet chested hen even before he finished his juvenile molt.  Fortunately, there has been no fertile turquoisine and scarlet hybrid, so these babies are not going to potentially be bred back to pure stock.  They are pretty though.
male hybrid

one hybrid hen

second hybrid hen

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