Agapornis Red Suffusion

In the context of discussing mutations in Agapornis/Lovebirds, there are two types of phenotypes that have red feathers. The first is the red factor, which we discussed in a previous article, and on this occasion I will explain about red suffusion. Both are red but very different, so let's discuss them so that there is no confusion.

Although Red Factor and Red Suffusion are both not natural mutations, they have significant differences that you need to know as a lovebird breeder. This is especially important for senior hobbyists who do not have much experience so that they can understand it better and not be deceived when buying this bird.

Red Suffusion is a phenotype where the lovebird's feathers show uneven red coloring on parts of the body such as the chest, back, or wings. This is also why they are called Red Pied. This is different from what happens with Red Factor, which is red from the moment they hatch. The red coloring is even across all feathers or at least dominates.

The red suffusion phenotype is caused by a common health factor resulting from liver disease. This disease affects pigment metabolism, causing changes in feather color. This often occurs in psittaciformes. Some birds only experience stress bars, while others experience changes in feather color.

Birds with liver disorders initially appear normal, but slowly, as they age, especially during the molting phase, red feathers appear in certain areas. Generally, this occurs on the chest and back feathers. Red suffusion is not a true genetic mutation; the inheritance pattern is unpredictable and inconsistent.

Many people assume that the red factor comes from red suffusion parents, but this is not true. I have tested this pair for years and none of the generations have shown the red factor.

Phenotypic Variation of Red Suffusion Lovebirds

Red Suffusion can occur in all lovebird subspecies, including Fischeri, Personatus, and Roseicollis, but this condition can only be expressed in green-series birds. In blue-series and parblue birds, white spots like those seen in the dominant pied mutation will not appear.

Red Suffusion Personatus Green

Personatus Green should be green with a yellow neck, but when this disease strikes, red feathers appear on the neck, chest, and back. Even the neck, which should be yellow, has turned red.

Red Suffusion Personatus Pastel Green

Personatus pastel green should have pastel green body feathers, a yellow neck, and a gray mask. However, when red suffusion is present, the gray mask has a red background, the neck feathers turn orange-red, and there are red spots on the back and chest feathers.

Red Suffusion Agapornis Fischeri Pastel Green

Birds with the pastel green mutation should have soft green feathers all over. However, red suffusion has changed this pastel green to a red hue. The mask, which should be orange with yellow on the crown, has turned completely red.

Red Suffusion Fischeri Green

This phenotype is most accurately described as Red Pied. The fischeri green should be solid green, with an orange mask followed by an olive green crown, which has turned red on the head and a red pied pattern on the back and wings.

Red Suffusion NSLino Lutino

Lutino should be entirely yellow, but when combined with red suffusion, red spots appear on some parts, forming a “pied” pattern. However, they often form thicker blocks as well.

Ultimately, we have come to the conclusion that Red Suffusion is a multifactorial mutation, meaning that in breeding, we cannot program it through crossbreeding existing lovebird mutations. This is a phenotypic deviation caused by a disease. And can we bear to pass this disease on to the next generation of lovebirds?