Agapornis Fischeri Misty green, blue, blue1blue2 mutations

Misty in Agapornis Fischeri refers to a gene that affects the production and distribution of melanin (black pigment) and psittacine (yellow-red pigment) in the feathers of lovebirds.

The Misty mutation does not completely eliminate melanin pigment like what occurs in NSLino or DEC mutations. Instead, it only reduces its intensity.

Misty is often said to resemble the Slaty mutation in lovebirds. However, the two are separate alleles with different feather coloration characteristics. Although both mutations can appear as foggy gray under certain lighting conditions, differences become apparent under high-intensity light.

With the Misty mutation, a pink or violet hue may be observed when combined with the blue mutation, and a brownish tint when combined with green or parblue mutations. In contrast, the Slaty mutation shows no noticeable color changes under intense lighting.

Genetics of the Misty Mutation in Agapornis

The green misty mutation in lovebirds is an autosomal incomplete dominant trait, meaning that only one copy of the misty gene is needed to show its effects. Birds with a double factor of the misty gene exhibit more pronounced characteristics, with a distinctive pale green coloration and a light brownish-gray haze, typical of green misty lovebirds.

Characteristics of Agapornis Fischeri Misty Green

Misty green is the base phenotype. The misty allele modifies the wild-type gene, resulting in a vibrant orange forehead and cheeks that contrast refreshingly with the body color. The orange on the forehead blends softly with the misty bronze-green crown, which becomes lighter toward the nape, creating a natural gradient. The transition zone on the cheeks, combining orange and misty green, adds a harmonious visual effect. Meanwhile, the chin, throat, and upper chest remain dominated by bright orange, giving the upper body a radiant appearance.

The lower body is primarily shaded in misty green, from the lower chest, abdomen, pelvis, and cloacal region. The back and wing feathers are slightly darker, adding depth to the overall appearance. The primary flight feathers have a misty green outer vane and a blue-black inner vane, creating an elegant impression, especially when the bird is in flight. The wing bends have a bright yellow color that contrasts beautifully, uniting the upper and lower body visually.

The tail features distinctive coloration. The rump and upper tail coverts are purple, providing contrast to the misty green body. The tail feathers are mostly misty green with soft blue tips. Bright orange-yellow spots on the secondary tail feathers, surrounded by black zones, add an extra touch of allure. The legs are gray, and the claws are darker in tone.

Characteristics of Agapornis Fischeri Misty Blue

This phenotype is a combination of the blue and misty alleles. The forehead is white, giving a clean and bright appearance that serves as a base for the transition to other colors. The crown is dark gray, gradually fading into light gray toward the neck, creating a soft and harmonious look. The white cheeks blend into light gray at the nape, complementing the gentle facial theme. The chin, throat, and upper chest are also white, enhancing the bird’s fresh and bright appearance.

The lower body is covered in misty blue, from the lower chest, abdomen, pelvis, to the cloacal region. This soft shade harmonizes with the slightly darker back and wing feathers, adding visual depth. The primary flight feathers combine misty blue on the outer vane and misty blue-black on the inner vane, adding elegance. The wing bends are distinctly white, typical of the blue series.

The back of the bird is accentuated by purple rump and upper tail coverts, offering an appealing contrast. The under tail coverts are misty blue, aligning with the main body color. The tail feathers are misty blue with soft tips, adding a graceful effect. The secondary tail feathers display a white spot pattern surrounded by a black zone. The legs are gray, with claws darker than the leg skin.

Characteristics of Agapornis Fischeri Misty Blue1Blue2 (Parblue Misty)

Parblue Misty is a phenotype that combines the blue1blue2 alleles and the misty allele. The forehead displays a bright yellow-orange hue, blending with a dark gray crown that transitions softly into light yellow at the back of the head and neck. The cheeks are light yellow-orange with a subtle transition zone toward the nape. This yellow-orange also dominates the chin, throat, and upper chest.

The lower body features misty turquoise, from the lower chest to the abdomen, pelvis, and cloacal region. The back and wing feathers are slightly darker. The primary flight feathers show a combination of misty turquoise on the outer vane and misty turquoise-black on the inner vane. The wing bends are light yellow, a typical feature of the parblue mutation.

The back stands out with purple rump and upper tail coverts. The under tail coverts and most tail feathers are misty turquoise, with secondary tail feathers displaying a central light yellow-orange spot surrounded by a black zone. Legs are gray, and the claws are slightly darker.