Understanding Lovebird Hybrids
As we know, the genus Agapornis, better known as lovebirds, consists of nine identified species. These nine species have a variety of unique characteristics, both in terms of feather color, body size, and behavior. It is important for us as breeders and lovebird enthusiasts to appreciate and preserve the characteristics of each of these species. However, due to ignorance or perhaps intentionality, some people have attempted crossbreeding involving different lovebird species.
In the hope of finding new and unique mutations, they deliberately crossbreed different species of lovebirds without realizing that they are actually undergoing a process of hybridization. They may assume that the result of these crossbreeds will produce previously unseen variations in color or feather patterns, but without understanding that this action can threaten the preservation of the original species, as the emergence of unwanted hybrid lovebirds can contaminate pure bloodlines.
What is a hybrid lovebird?
A hybrid lovebird is the result of crossbreeding between different species within the same genus or even between different genera.
Hybrid lovebirds often exhibit intermediate phenotypes, where their physical and behavioral characteristics reflect a combination of the two species involved in the crossbreeding.
This phenotype can be a combination of feather color, body shape, and behavioral traits that are a blend of the parent species.
The process of interbreeding between different species can also occur naturally in the wild. This happens when two closely related species share the same habitat and have similar reproductive behaviors.
In addition to the above crossbreeding, the process of transmutation also produces hybrid offspring. Unfortunately, some irresponsible breeders complete this transmutation process without considering its long-term effects, creating hybrid offspring that are trapped in a permanent hybrid state.
This means that the offspring of these hybrids no longer have the ability to return to a pure genetic state.
This lack of genetic recovery can result in the loss of valuable genetic diversity and even affect the health and sustainability of the hybrid pair's population as a whole.
Therefore, it is important to carry out transmutation with careful and ethical consideration, as well as with a clear goal of improving the welfare and biodiversity of the species.
Hybrid lovebirds from crossbreeding Fischeri x Personatus
It looks bad. The Fischeri lovebird has orange mask and olive green crown, which are perfect, but when crossed with the personatus, which has a black mask, the result is as shown in the image.
The result is as shown in the picture, with two species characteristics in one bird.
The mask is covered with black spots, and the collar becomes darker orange spots.
This is very far from their original characteristics. It takes a lot of time to improve the bloodline of these hybrid pairs.
Hybrid lovebirds from crossbreeding Fischeri x Lilianae
You can see the difference in the crown border. In Fischer's lovebirds, the mask line with the crown is very tight. The border line runs from the center of the eye to the wing fold.
When crossed with Lilianae, the mask area will definitely widen.
The dividing line between the crown and the mask is blurred or even disappears.
The body size will decrease slightly, because Lilianae is a smaller species than Fischer's.
Changes also occur in the rump feathers. The green color that is characteristic of liliane nyasa will become slightly violet due to contamination from the fischeri characteristic of violet rump feathers.
The pupil color of agapornis lilianae nyasa is light brown. Dark brown, almost black, is a sign that they are hybrids with fischeri or personatus. The color of the neck feathers of the fischeri x lilianae hybrid also shows a green degradation similar to that of Lilianae nyasa. And this is far from the original characteristics of both species.
Hybrid lovebirds from crossbreeding Personatus x Nigrigenis (blackchecked)
Although to the untrained eye the personatus and nigrigenis subspecies appear similar, they are in fact distinct subspecies. Each has a unique plumage pattern that has been passed down for hundreds of years. Crossbreeding between personatus and nigrigenis will combine the characteristics of both birds.
The forehead will be black with a brown background due to the nigrigenis characteristic of a reddish-brown forehead mixed with the personatus characteristic of a jet-black forehead.
Characteristic changes also occur on the back of the neck and nape.
The nigrigenis characteristic has olive green back neck feathers, while the personatus should be yellow.
When crossbreeding occurs, the color of the back of the neck feathers will tend to be a duller yellow. Or it could be green with a yellow background.
Hybrid lovebirds from crossbreeding Fischer X Roseicollis
This is a highly prohibited crossbreeding in lovebird breeding, as Fischer X Roseicollis produces a generation with a confusing phenotype. Roseicollis should not have spectacles, but due to this crossbreeding, they have thin spectacles that are not as thick as those of the Fischer genus. Additionally, the offspring resulting from the Roseicollis X Fischeri crossbreeding are definitely infertile or unable to breed because their chromosomes are not perfectly homologous, so they are “odd” in the sense that they do not pair well during meiosis.
Steps to reduce the number of Lovebird hybrid
To maintain the conservation and genetic integrity of pairs, as breeders, it is very important to focus on crossbreeding between the same subspecies. This practice ensures that the distinctive characteristics of each subspecies are preserved, while preventing unwanted genetic mixing.
Making crossbreeding within subspecies a breeding guideline is a wise and responsible step, as it helps maintain the purity of the bloodline and ensures that the unique characteristics of each subspecies, such as color, feather pattern, and behavior, are well preserved.
This is not only important for aesthetic purposes or hobbyist satisfaction, but also for supporting conservation efforts and scientific research that rely on the genetic clarity of the species.
Fischeri x Fischeri Personatus x Personatus Lilianae x Lilianae Nigrigenis x Nigrigenis Roseicollis x Roseicollis Taranta x Taranta Canus x Canus Pullarius x Pullarius
This is basic knowledge for bird breeders. It is not a legal rule, but good aviculture certainly complies with it. For new hobbyists, this article may provide you with guidelines and knowledge about several hybrid bird appearances.
Of the several hybrid crosses above, there is one more that is particularly foolish and often done, namely the cross between Roseicollis and Eye ring. The result of this cross is certainly a hybrid and sterile.
This is because the two species have different numbers of chromosome pairs. When a cross occurs, there is an abnormality in the number of chromosomes in the F1 generation.
Therefore, it is important for breeders to maintain bloodlines that are consistent with the species or subspecies. Regardless of any mutations, you should adhere to the guideline of “no more hybrids.”