Photo Album 2

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Photo Album 2

This second photographic addition will utilize our pigeon photos as a dual comparison to better
assist Breeders with genotypic color and variety evaluation; especially with the deceptive ‘Blue’
Phenotypes appearing as ‘Reds’. It is envisaged that once a Breeder has acquired the ability to
Systematically analyse the established points of color and variety identification, by way of close
observation and an accurate database with recording hereditary lineage - he or she will become
confident in their genotypic and phenotypic declarations. To also be featured is a selection of
interesting photographs and relevant avian literature. A.A.R.O’s sole purpose in establishing this
progressive website is to assist Breeders in the identification of all color varieties relevant to
Columba livia.

Charcoal & Blue-head Ash Red Genotypes as a comparative to the Homozygous Indigo variety

There are Homozygous Indigo Genotypes
that are also Blue-head reflective and one
may be deceived into thinking all such exhibited
Phenotypes are Genotypic Indigo. We have
Photos via email attachment (courtesy of Frank
Mosca) of these Blue-head Indigos’ and would
like to exhibit them here, but have not the
permission to clearly demonstrate an observable
differential between the two varieties
As a comparison we will exhibit our Homozygous
Indigo pigeons to compare with our mutative
Ash Reds. This observation and data base
technique should assist the viewer to more
accurately identify between the two Genotypes
To date no one has come forward to present us
with any photographic evidence of Charcoal-head
and face mutative specimens other than those
bred by A.A.R.O!

Ash Red Blue-head T-pattern
Velvet Checker - Ash Red Genotype

Homozygous Indigo

I must now clarify that comparative color
identification from photographs alone is at best -
calculated guesswork and breeding records are
a necessary component to ensure a correct
evaluation prior to declaration of Genotype and
Phenotype. Points to consider between the two
varieties under the microscope: (1) The red pigment
exhibited by Ash Reds is clearly sharper and a
mature Phenotype displays a higher degree
of Iridescence than the duller pigmentation of
Homo-Indigos’ - please compare photos
(2) The rump and tail of Ash Reds are never blue in
coloration and exhibited as ash or ash/white blend
Cock birds more so than hens - display black-flecking,
whereas Hetero & Homo Indigos' do not.

This Charcoal-face exhibits all the identifying
features of Ash Red Genotypes - the second
photo also clearly displays the denseness of
black melanin to the crop and the unmistakable
Silver Crescent (one finds with a Silver Mealy).
No Heterozygous nor Homozygous Indigo
Genotypes possess Black & Ash-Red-Silver
pigment traits and this will always be a defining
tell tale sign of the Genotypic differentiation
between the two ‘Dominant’ varieties -
One sex-linked and the other genetically
Autosomal. Dilution is also applicable to
Homozygous Indigo’s and these deceptive
Blue Genotypes appear as Phenotypic yellows.

Heterozygous Indigo - A Blue Genotype

Homozygous Indigo - A Blue Genotype

Charcoal-head & face Ash Reds

Please compare photos
If a viewer is in need
of further clarification
please feel free to email
A.A.R.O -
mannybirdman@hotmail.com

Ash Red Blue-head T-pattern
Velvet hen

Established Color Varieties

Clouded Ash Red Checker cock

Clouded Ash Red Checker cock caring for young

Dominant Opal Steel-Blue cock with Pink Bars and one very eye catching offspring

Nice type Indigo Blue Bar cock

Nice depth of color with this young Kite Scale-Pattern
Pied cock/Almond

Pink-lace Reduced hen

Recessive Red Pied and Indigo Velvet Pied hens

Madison & Isabelle

Basic Pigeon Science

Color Classification

Grizzle (G): Autosomal Dominant that produces variable feather color pigmentation and results in a
blue, black and white blending of coloration; exhibiting a speckled effect, especially around the head
and neck. There are many color variations of Grizzle - Homozygous Genotypes appear as a white
pigeon with black edging to wings and tail. The Grizzling effect is masked to a great degree by the
following modifiers: Recessive Red, Spread and Bronze. The very rare mutative White Grizzle is not
to be confused with the Homozygous variety and Grizzles referred to as Stork. The White Grizzles
bred all exhibit a sparse amount of black flecking.

Spread (S): As an Autosomal Constitution this terminology refers to a Black-self coloured pigeon that
produces uniformity of melanin and mutative of the Wild Type standard - Blue/Black Pigeons; also
recognized as one of many modifiers. Dilute of Black-self is Dun.

Recessive Opal (o): Often and erroneously referred to as Mosaics by the racing pigeon fraternity
and is Autosomal Recessive in Genotype - produces a variable color effect of pastel shades such as
red and pink; also lacing of flight feathers. The majority of racing pigeons carry this trait as do
many feral's.

Dominant Opal (Od): An Autosomal mutation that produces many beautiful phenotypic color shades
and white to pink barring. As a recognised lethal gene carrier it is not recommended to pair up two
Dominant Genotypes.

Smooth Spread: this term is used to describe the heavily pigmented areas such as the tail bar and
ends of flight feathers - referred to as Remiges.
Course Spread: refers to the dense pigmented areas of the Shield i.e. Checkering & Bars - Rectrices

Barless Pigeons are not sex linked and as recessive Autosomal in Genotype this mutative trait
eliminates any course spread pigment in the shield area

Indigo (In): This Genotype was discovered by Wendell Levi and is a Dominant Autosomal that mimics
Ash Red very well and may fool the less than observant breeder. The homozygous Indigo exhibits a
rust-red coloration to the head, neck, chest and shield areas and has a bluish steel-grey rump and tail.
Heterozygous Indigo mated with Wild-Type-Spread produces a beautiful colour-patterned phenotype –
the Andalusian. Dilute of Homozygous Indigo is Phenotypic Yellow.

Recessive Red (e): This appealing color variety is yet another Autosomal mutation that produces a regular
distribution of Phaeomelanin pigment. The red tail of a Recessive Red is what clearly identifies the
Genotype from Ash Reds – here the tail is an ash/white blend and may exhibit a varying degree of black
flecking. The feathering's of Recessive Reds are red to the ends and therefore any pigeons conforming to
these defining colour traits may confidently be recorded as such and these observations should help to
avoid confusion between the Ash Red & Indigo genotypes.

Milky (my): An Autosomal recessive colour modifying genotype that produces a noticeable lightening hue.
Pale Blue pigeons (Wild-Type-Dilutes) are similar to Milky and one needs to be astutely observant whenever
recording this genotypic trait. A recessive gene needs to be Homozygous in order to be expressed in the
Phenotype – visual medium.

Smoky (sy): Autosomal recessive genotype that in the phenotype produces a mist-like-blurring effect that
is more pronounced in checkers than the bar variety. This mutative trait tends to lighten the beak, cere
and overall ground colour area which may either be lightened or darkened. Smoky is erroneously referred
to as Slate and this needs to be addressed and rectified - for a true Slate is a Dominant Autosomal.
With Smoky there is a masking of the white margin on the outer tail feathers; also a darkening of the
rump, underwing coverts and a lightening of the tips of Rectrices.

Slate (Sl): A Dominant Autosomal genotype that has a dual phenotypic effect in the Heterozygous.
(1.) In comparison to Smoky, a basic Slate is not blurred in its Checkering. The shield pattern is of a darker
tone and exhibits a varying grey-hue than the overall ground colour. The crop area coloration is variable and
expresses itself thus: from a light Slate-grey to a purple-blended-black. (2.) The second variation of the
mutative slate exhibits a golden-hue to the checkering within the confines of the shield. A.A.R.O aptly refers
to the new mutation variation as a Golden-shield Slate. Slate appears to blend very well with Indigo, Bronze
and Opal Genotypes. Breeding experiments are being presently conducted with all other colour varieties
and photos to duly be posted. The darkest shade of Slate has been classified as Black-Satin and is
produced in both the Golden-Shield variety and the basic Slate. With the breeding of the project’s first of
Spread Slates’, it has been established that our pure mutative Slates are not of a Wild Type Constitution
(Blue/Black). Slate certainly appears to be a very complex and independent Genotype within the Species.

Homozygous Kite (for both E and K ) with a Homozygous Recessive Red mating should theoretically produce only
Kite offspring. The T-pattern Black Velvets (Kites) are most favoured in mating to basic Almonds to produce the
Classic Almond. An intimate mixture of yellow and dun is the Dilution of Kite.

Clean-legged Forellen Ice hen x Barless Blue cock
and F 1 generation: Ice/Barless Blue offspring

Scale-Pattern Bronze hen/Ash Red Dilute

Glossy Kite T-pattern Pied cock with
white flights and carrying Almond

Faded Grizzle cock/Indigo

Black Velvet cock with Stockings

Reduced hen

A.A.R.O’s Pride & Joy.
This Ash Red Charcoal-head Checker cock
is presently presumed to be a globally unique mutation.
We are currently building up this mutative family of
Ash Reds. It is anticipated a Black-head Genotype may
soon be realized. If any viewing Breeder has a similar
Charcoal-head mutation we welcome photographic
evidence and recorded data as to a clearly documented
Ash Red parental lineage.

Dunbar hen

This is the first of an eagerly awaited progeny produced
from the mating of Ash Red Blue-head mutation cock x
Ash Red Blue-head hen. Please note the well defined
variegation of ash/white primary flights that were realized
with our first mutative Blue-head Ash Red variety.
A tell tale trait to observe and not a hint of Indigo present
here folks! If we need to be enlightened in any manner as
to our declarations here - please feel free to do so and
A.A.R.O is more than happy to stand corrected. It has now
become obvious that the Ash Red DNA constitution has
been genetically altered to produce this unique mutative
variegation blend of ash & white on Spread – also a
genetic change to the Rectrices (tail feathers).

Special Lighting was
used to clearly exhibit
the white and ash
Variegation to our young
Spread Ash Cock’s
primary flights
and thereby ensuring
there are no
misconceptions as to
the validity of our
photographic declarations.

The Blue-head hen shown
hereunder is the Dam and
the first of the Ash Red
mutations to clearly exhibit
the wing Variegation and
blended ash-white color
pigment to the tail.

Ash Red Genotypes

Homozygous Spread-Indigo
Dilute Genotype - Yellow