3. Dimorphic (Mosaic)-two theories exist about the evolution of the Dimorphic factor in canaries; 1. That it is carried over from the original wild canary and that the hybridization with the Red Siskin helped to emphasize it and make it more noticeable, 2. That it is a factor directly inherited from the Red Siskin.

 My opinion is that it is a characteristic that has been amalgamated from many sources, the faint dimorphism from the wild canary emphasized through an inheritance of European serins crossed with Gloster canaries which do have very marked dimorphism further emphasized by the color contrast afforded by the Red Siskin.

 

The specific elected points of dimorphism are limited and predetermined by sexual difference.

 

The denomination Mosaic although semantically incorrect is almost always used to identify the dimorphic factor. Dimorphics are of two types, Type I for females. the specified points manifestation are daintier and less evident. Type II are males with larger and more intensive markings at the expression points.

Preferably the election points (points where lipochrome is concentrated) should have no frosting or as little as possible on the other hand the chest area should be veiled  but observable in coloration. With Dimorphics the most important consideration is contrast and delimitation of election points.

 

• Females should ha a small eye trailing brow of about 2-3 cm. or an over eye  brow  as second option, Males will have a mask similar to a ------ extending from behind the eyes and under the mandible without meeting the chest  election point.

 

• The election points of the female’s wing butts will be smaller than the male’s and the pigmentation should never invade the flight feathers (rémiges).

 

• The chest patch area on the female should be subtle and understated, on the male it should be more ample and more evident and should never meet the facial mask

 

• The rump election point should be just about equal for both types, however it will generally be more evident and concentrated in females Pigmentation should not invade the outer wing and  tail feathers (rémiges and rectrices).

In  dimorphics  the lipochrome pigment is limited to the central third of the feathers, this causes the overlaid arrangement  to conceal the coloration and the bird appears  of a chalky white colour. In the election points, the expression of color is entirely evident and with maximum saturation of lipochrome.

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             Suggestions:

 

• Worldwide breeders of dimorphics maintain separate breeding lines for Type I and Type II. Males with faint defective masks are crossed with show type females. Females with overly marked faces are crossed with show type males.

 

• Choose birds with good body size and conformation and good rounded head to better display the type.

 

• Lipochrome Dimorphics are also bred in the Rose and Ivory factor however they will never be able to compete with the basic color considering that contrast exerts the heaviest influence when judged.