Blue Caique

[Mitzi]

I just saw a picture of a blue black headed caique on exoticbirdsnew · Exotic Birds new a yahoo group chat. Here is the link to join the group http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/exoticbirdsnew/
I will try to attach the picture but not sure if it will show. If you join the group it is under photos really rare.
Mitzi

[Sillypup5]

OMG...that is just SO wrong:{

[Jaclyn]

Is that real? How would that kind of colour mutation occur?

Do you want one of them Emily?

[Kiwisoo]

Eeeeewwwwww! That is not a good color for a caique!

[Emily]

That has got to be photoshopped. It doesn't look real. Honestly I think its a fake.

[LeRoy's owner]

I don't know what is going on with that picture but there is nothing more beautiful then caiques being the color they are SUPPOSE to be. Just my opinion. connie

[Brianna]

If that's real I want one! I think it's so cool. I wonder how that kind of mutation would occur? Has anyone seen those new blue amazons? They're really nice looking.

[sweetpeaches]

You're right Emily, it is hard to tell what's "real" and what's not on the internet these days.

[rick]

If the genes for color are like budgies then in theory it is possible to have a blue caique. In budgies there are 2 genes for color. One for blue and another for yellow. Both genes on = wild type, green; Both genes off = white or albino ; Blue gene off = yellow; Yellow gene off = blue. These genes can also be partially turned off which is why there are budgies with multi colors. The blue amazon as well as the blue quaker are the result of this same random mutation. Im still not sure if that caique is real though.

[TallNBritish]

Personally I think that is actually a real picture and rick's explanation fits perfectly. In this bird's case it appears that the yellow gene has been turned off as there is a total lack of yellow on the bird, thereby causing the blue coloring on the wings and under the eye.