Go to Color Mutations and take a look at the array of color mutations for various parrot species.  The variety of colors and species is overwhelming. 

Why "fool with mother nature"?  Because they can, I guess.  There are some important things to ask a breeder before buying any color mutation unless it is a long-existing one like the Green-Cheek Conure mutations (Pineapple, Red Bellied, etc). 

1.  Is this bird a sex-linked or in-bred/line-bred color mutation? 

2.  What will the size and temperament difference be? 

3.  How many generations away from the original pair is this bird. 

4.  Are there any statistics on life span in this mutation? 

5. The adult size of this bird as compared to the original specie size.

What You Should Know: 

1. Color Mutations are expensive if they are genetically or sex link created. 

2.  The difference between Sex Linked Mutations and inbred/line-bred Linked Mutations is pretty much what it sounds like.  Sex Linked birds are bred using dominant color and body trait genes of male and female unrelated birds and inbred/line-bred birds are bred using related pairs (mother/father/son/daughter) until the desired color is achieved.  Needless to say, the scientific community views inbreeding and line-breeding as detrimental to the over all health and body structure of the bird. 

3.  It is important the color mutation you have chosen is bred a few generations away from the original pair so that you are reasonably assured of a healthy bird. 

4.  Not all mutations, especially inbred/line-bred mutations bring forward the long life span of the original color. 

5.  Ask about the size of the mutation compared to the original color specie.  No matter the color and size of your bird, talk with Korey or Kim about the appropriate size and bar spacing for your birds new home.  They are here to make your bird as happy and healthy as possible.

Written by: Jan Santor

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS:
And the dangers to Your Bird

This is the time of year when we tend to do inside home improvements such as new flooring, painting, etc.; I have consulted with the owner of Just Good Flooring, soon to be Carpet Network, in the Burlington, Vermont area.  He has over 20 years of experience and education in the flooring industry and a devotion to human and pet safety.  He told me that carpet, unless rated low to no VOC chemically treated should be out-gassed, without the presence of animals and humans,  If you are installing tile, hardwood or other such "glued down" surfaces, ask your installer to use "green" or no VOC mastic or glue.  He said this is a bit more expensive but; insures the safety of your birds, pets and family.  Check the VOC content in the glue yourself, if possible.  He advised that you must ask for the "green/low to no VOC" material because polyurethane based adhesives are standard across the industry because of cost and the "green/low/no VOC" compounds are more expensive.  If you cannot afford or have other reasons for using the standard adhesives, then you should not have animals present in the home or put them room sealed to the room(s) being worked on.  If you have central air, you cannot isolate your birds because it will be carried into the isolated room unless you have zones that permit you to exclude the room.  Put a towel or other "draft protector" at the base of the door to preclude contaminated air seeping in.  The pets need to have air circulation to the outside and the remodeled areas out-gassed by ventilation to the outside for a week.  Many birds and other small pets are made ill or die from these various noxious fumes used in everyday remodeling projects.  Don't risk the health and very lives of your pets and yourselves by not taking these precautions.  Above all, do not listen to friends who "used it and had no problem".  They were lucky and their birds and other small pets were astonishingly lucky.

Written by: Jan Santor