Lipochrome CanariesIII

Gloster canaries are a breed that has been kept practically unaltered since 1925. You can see its inherent ancestral patrimony; excessive phaeomelanin and dimorphism.

Through selective crosses and hybridisation breeders have cultivated and enhanced many of the varieties that we love to keep today.

Dimorphism election points

Although wild canaries exhibit dimorphism it is very faint, the enhanced dimorphism of the Gloster can probably be attributed to cross breeding with European serin (Serinus serinus) which exhibit marked dimorphism, and rounder and smaller size. Dimorphism is generally attributed to the Red Siskin, but I think it only helped to compliment and reveal what already existed.

1. From the Brown mutation previously called Cinnamon lipochrome yellow birds of a golden tone were obtained, in theory the transition from melanin to lipochrome these lines maintained more brown producing genes. Sedimented phaeomelanin on their barbules keeps light from being absorbed and reflection is blocked causing the dull golden tone, the yellow lipochrome can not be refracted, the optical blue factor is not present.

2-absence of phaeomelanin

Optical blue factor

2. Through breeding selection phaeomelanin has been practically eradicated from melanin canaries. Show standard melanics have a luminous colour. The lipochrome bird that were obtained from these lines have practically lost all brown producing genes. The barbs and barbules have no dull coloration that can impede refraction and reflection of light rays, the optical blue factor is evident, the blue optical and the yellow produces the “citron’ yellow hue.

Golden yellow