Gallery

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Extreme Dilute - hen & cock
(lemons)

Tiger Grizzle cock on eggs

Grizzle influenced
Scale-Pattern Kite cock

Yellow Checker cock
& Brown Bar hen

Spread Ash hen

Half Sider cock w/f

Feeding his very hungry offspring

Spread Ash cock with Pearl-eye

Almond hen

Dominant Opal Blue cock

Grizzle Dilute hen

Indigo Blue Bar cock

Reduced Pink-Lace hen

‘So you think you can dance’

Slate Ragged-Shield

A Dominant Opal Steel-Blue cock
with Pink Bars – top left

*Ash Red Blue-head & Crop Checker
hen with evenly variegated primaries
½ ash ½ white. Tail feathers are a vibrant
ash/white blend. This unique mutation
is a likely candidate for a world first

This exciting new color variety
appears to meld ash evenly with white
On the shield the ash takes on a
gun-metal-grey hue and from the base
of the neck to the crop we observe an
interesting blend of color with an
intermingling of red, white, ash and grey
It should be interesting to see the overall
color change after first moult

Invaluable parents of the Ash Red
Blue-head Checker hen above and
Charcoal-face Ash Red Checker
cock hereunder

Indigo T-pattern Velvet
Pied hen w/f

Almond Crested Pearl-eye
Salmon-Pink cock

Indigo Bar cock x Indigo Velvet hen

Young Almond hen & Homo Indigo Velvet cock

Newly weds: Homozygous hen & Heterozygous cock
Nesting Grizzles (they Grizzle but never Grumble)

Pictured next to Blue Bar & Homozygous Indigo fledglings
is a very rare Pink-Lace Indigo Bar

Black Velvet versus Black-Wing Archangel

A nice type Recessive Opal hen

An eye catching Dominant Opal
Indigo Velvet Pied cock
with Bronze-collar & Crescent

Siblings – versus
Charcoal-face

Tiger Grizzle cock – bottom left

Homozygous Indigo Velvet
Grizzle cock

Sandy Almond cock with Khaki Bar
& Red Checker siblings

Mottled Red Grizzle cock – bottom centre
Mottled Recessive Red cock – bottom right

Dilute or Pale Bronze
Checker hen (Gimpel) – top left
Barless Blue cock – top right
Smoky hen - centre

Ash Red T-pattern Dilute hen - far left
Spread Ash cock – top
Tortoiseshell Grizzle cock – bottom right

Tiger Grizzle cock

This striking sibling to the Blue-head Ash Red Checker mutation
is showing intermediate to black pigment around the face and crop
Classified as a Charcoal-face Red Checker the direct sunlight shows
the young cock is more intense than his sibling and exhibits a
brilliant silver crescent - also has red/white variegated primaries
Future breeding will attempt to introduce solid black as an addition
to the Blue, Grey and Charcoal colour’s - on Ash Red, Dilute
and Extreme Dilute
All recorded data and photography will be duly documented and
presented in a forthcoming publication by A.A.R.O

Sapphire Blue
T-Pattern Checker
Pied hen w/f

Manny Arquette

19th May 2009

Indigo T-pattern Velvet cock/Opal

Spread Ash cock

Mottled Recessive Red Grizzle cock

Spread hen w/f
Indigo Checker cock
Indigo T-pattern Velvet cock/Opal

Homozygous Indigo T-pattern Velvet
cock

Homozygous Spread-Indigo Dilute hen
- Yellow -

Manny Arquette

1st Oct. 2009

Grizzle Silver-Mist cock

Colourful Family of Bronze cock & Ash Red Dilute hen

Resultant progeny from a basic Slate
cock/Opal mated to a Golden-Shield
Slate hen.
For the present time the new arrival
has tentatively been classified by
A.A.R.O as a Slate-Self . This name tag
shall persist until the first moult and
whereby we will reassess the color
presentation and if so warranted -
to have the bird reclassified.
Any suggestions from breeders are
most welcome for it is important to the
research program that each individual
specimen is classified accurately.

Faded Milky Blue Checker cock/indigo

Slate-self carrying opal

Wild Type Blue/Black Genotypes hereunder- for comparison
to the variety of Slate’s pictured above

Basic Slate - bottom

Slate Pied cock & hen

Pale Slate (Dilute)

Gay Pied hen - Black tail

Mom, Dad & the Kids

8th October 2009

Since we began photographic postings a number of inquisitive viewers have asked
to explain away some of our unfamiliar terminology. We thought it was as clear as the
blue summer skies, however, seeing as how yours truly created this ‘nomenclature’
relevant to our breeding program, I decided to set up this additional segment folks.

Clouded:

Not translucent or transparent – hazy & unclear in definition, i.e. dull in overall
color presentation of phenotype.

Glossy: Homozygous Iridescence trait that exhibits a very appealing glowing effect and is
best observed in the vicinity of the
sunlight and when

pigeon’s neck & crescent; especially radiant in direct

pigeons that are heterozygous iridescent.

Scale-pattern:

Feather pattern, closely resembling the scales of a fish. It has currently been
established to be of a Dominant trait which expresses itself above all present
known modifiers.

Lucid-Spread: A self colored pigeon that visually exhibits the barring & checkering within
the shield.

Manny Arquette

Ragged-Shield: The checkering within the shield is distorted and appear as irregular and
disproportionate streaking. This corruption of checkering uniformity is due to the effect
of Pivotal Relocation. Please note that each & every physical attribute has a corresponding
chromosomal allele that may be subject to minimal or very observable mutative change.

Peak-head Kite: the rear of the bird’s cranium appears egg-shaped - a mutative state.

Genotypic-Tortoiseshell not morphing: these Genotypes remain the same color in
maturity and do not change their visual appearance as do non-Genotypic Tortoiseshell
pigeons that Genetically evolve into the Tiger Grizzle variety.

Black-Satin Slate: this terminology applies to Homozygous Slate Genotypes and is
evident in both the mutative basic variety and the Golden-Shield Slates.

Pivotal-Relocation (PR): A genetic reshuffling of alleles, scattering of eumelanin, or the
repositioning of allelic loci - i.e. from one location to another. The Budgerigar Crest variations
is an excellent example - i.e. Hooded, Full-Crest, Half-Crest, Tufted. This recently discovered
(PR) trait may also be viewed in pigeons and especially so within the many variations of
Shield-pattern, Crests, Frill and leg-feathering exhibited. The Ragged-Shield pattern in our
mutative Slates is just one example of Pivotal Relocation in pigeons, i.e. the shield checkering
pattern was effectively and decisively altered from the norm; or what avian research
geneticists refer to as Wild Type.
A great example of Pivotal Relocation is the ‘Cyclops Phenomena’.

13th October 2009

viewed alongside

Indigo Charcoal-head & Crop T-pattern Velvet/Ash Red
Carrying opal factor

October 2009 Pigeon of the Month

Ragged-Shield Slate Mutation

Cyclops Kitten Mutation

Pivotal-Relocation

3 excellent
examples

Glossy-Crescent Pale Blue Checker

(PR)

Blue-head

Extreme Dilute Siblings (Lemons)

Manny Arquette

Nov. 5, 2009

Iceberg Scale-pattern bar with Stockings

White Scale-pattern
on Lucid-Spread for bar

Kite-bronze
Scale-pattern
on Homo Spread

Old man Archangel, having a stern chat with his very
attentive Blackwing Bronze offspring - the absent, egg sitting
mom is a - Ash Red T-pattern Dilute

Lucid-Spread for bar Slate cock – at twelve weeks of age, the
overall color has darkened, as predicted it would upon maturity.

The pigeon shown is to further demonstrate Pivotal Relocation
at work. All new variety color & pattern results will be posted
in due time. The photo exhibits very defined shoulder barring
(as with the Zebra-pattern Black-Satin Slate progeny) and the
pictured specimen is out of a: Homozygous Slate Black-Satin cock
with a Silver-Mist Black Grizzle hen w/f. Once a breeder is able to
identify and fully understand how to utilize Pivotal Relocation,
where mutative engineering and feather structure of autosomal
pattern is concerned - we have now come to believe anything is
phenotypically achievable.

Breeding Program Oct - Dec 2009 Birds

Grizzle Silver-Mist
Blue cock

Lucid-Spread for bar Slate

Bronze Glossy-crescent
Blackwing/Ash Red

Spread Ash over
Spread Indigo/Almond

Sibling Cinnamons next to
Burnt Umber color variety

Bronze tortoiseshell
Split for Tiger Grizzle

Spread Ash Charcoal-head
with Variegated Primaries

Manny Arquette

Dec. 15, 2009

Manny Arquette

The Rarest of the Rare

To all those Scoffing knockers! - It is
not genetically possible to produce
a Spread Ash Charcoal-head variety
from any mating of Indigo’s!!!

New Color Variety Classifications

in line with DNA Sequencing and Blood Type Sampling

Spread Ash Charcoal-head
with Variegated Primaries

Homo Slate Golden-Shield

Homo Slates Black-Satin

Iceberg Scale-pattern Bar
with Stockings

Ash Red Charcoal-face with Silver-crescent
and variegated Primaries

Clouded Ash Red Checker

Grizzle Black Silver-Mist with White-flights

Slate Lucid-spread for bar

Spread Ash over Spread Indigo

Burnt Umber Squeakers with Stockings and Burnt Umber Fledgling with Stockings

Kite Peak-head with
Frill and Stockings

Manny Arquette

Dec. 22, 2009

Pivotal Relocation (PR)

Dec. 24, 2009

December 2009 New Color Classifications

Faded Dark Cinnamon Bar cock

Dec. 27, 2009

Grizzle White-bellied Tortoiseshell/Opal

Cinnamonwing
Budgerigar

Black-Satin Slate Review

The research program concerning the mutative Slate variety is proving to be
very exciting, especially with the Homozygous Black-Satin bloodline. The
plumage color of the November progeny is of a rich violet that blends well
with theBlack-Satin coloration and with the majority of phenotypes realized the
very appealing color meld intensifies with maturity.
This opens the way to producing many new color variations with random outcrossings
and as Bronze already produces a violet iridesence with hybrid offspring, it should
prove interesting to inspect resulting outcomes when these varieties come together.
We are intent upon maintaning our highly guarded Slate bloodlines to be of a
purity of strain as is possible, and all ensuing hybrids shall be isolated.
Photographic postings will be exhibited into the New Year for analytical evaluation.

Dec. 28, 2009

Milky Cinnamon/Homo Grizzle

Faded Cinnamon Bar hen w/f

Manny's Nomenclature Breakdown

Feb. 7, 2010

Learning Can Be Fun!

Allele, allelomorph (genetics) - either of a pair (or series) of alternative forms
of a gene which can occupy the same locus on a particular chromosome and
that control the same character - "some alleles are dominant over others."

Please do let me explain

Pigeon Talk January 2010

Showcasing Best of 2009

The many emails received to date have brought about an awareness that
the majority of pigeon breeding enthusiasts are eager to learn and become
involved. Many feel a desire to communicate their breeding experiences
relative to the exciting and challenging hobby.

Some have indicated that much confusion still exists with regards the
genetics side of things and I intend to do my very best to make the
subject a little more palatable to digest and viewers are most welcome
to email - should my detailed explanations be found wanting.

Another area that needs clarification has to do with the Andalusian
Pigeons. Andalusian is not a genotypic color variety, but resultant
of a combination of two genotypes - the heterozygous Indigo, mated
with Wild-Type-Spread (Black), is responsible for the very appealing
color we know as Andalusian.
The research team is currently experimenting with the Andalusian
and to date two specimens have been developed.
For recording purposes the eye-catching composite birds have been classified
as follows: Andalusian with Variegated Primaries and Painted Andalusian.

A.A.RO's Slide Show 2010

Feb. 14, 2010

Tiger Grizzle & Milky Lavender squeakers

Burnt Umber young cock with stockings

Ribbon-tail Indigo Bar
Split for
Dominant Opal/ w/f

Apr. 6, 2010

Tiger Grizzle

T-pattern Checker
carrying Bronze

Bronze influenced Blue Bar

The Erroneous Past Declarations
of Expert Avian Geneticists

In response to further substantiate the validity of the now strongly
debated article expressed in Gallery Four and relative to my
proof-positive claims that there are irrefutably more than three colors
that make up the evolutionary color chart of Columbidae - I hereby
ask those impassioned breeders and interested hobbyists to closely
evaluate the following context that will not only add credence to my well
determined findings in this regard, but guide one and all to question
any future postulations made by ‘we’ so called ‘avian experts’.

“I will not only stand by the following declaration -
but take my affirmations to the grave!”

I am sixty three years young and an avian hobbyist and dedicated
researcher of some fifty years. In this educational time I have come
to form many self-expressed conclusions with respect claims made
pertaining to avian species being researched - and during recorded
observations I was also most fortunate to form close friendships
with many bird breeding hobbyist of a similar Interest.
Albert Scerri of Egyptian heritage, is one such specialist pigeon
breeder and close collaborator. We have worked together with
researching pigeons for the last three decades and all my database
documented declarations are born of the longtime collated evidence
of which he and I happily share in this highly researched regard.

Our Validated Revelations - March 2010

Albert resides on a picturesque, 5 acre property in the region
of the Adelaide Hills. He has the arduous task of maintaining
sixteen well constructed lofts and housing some 1200 pigeons.
He is truly blessed to have his son Richard who holds the same
interests and helps with the daily task of feeding and cleaning.
We are in partnership and I assist with the cost of purchasing
seed & grain towards this fruitful end.
I also have four lofts for research on my property.

During the last twenty seven years Albert and I engaged in the
following fact-finding experiments:-
We firstly collected six pairs of Ash Red, Brown and Wild Type
Blue-Black varieties and went about scientifically (DNA) establishing
each were pure for their phenotype. It was imperative that none were
carrying foreign or unwanted genes and once this was conclusively
achieved, the three colors were separated into respective lofts and
the exciting and experimental research adventure was on in earnest.

Our Documented Findings: Over the period of commencement to the
present time - Not one pigeon of the Bronze Genotype was ever
realized! And I have no hesitation in stating that this would be the
scientifically established outcome with breeding the three colors of
Ash Red, Brown and Wild Type for an eternity, because they simply
do not carry the genetic Blue-print for Bronze!
Should any person doubt our findings, please be my guest and carry
out the very same intensive experiments as outlined above and in some
twenty seven years time kindly email me and let us know your verdict.

The Same conclusive resolution applies to the Autosomal Dominant
Slate Genotype! And I therefore declare that the three colors principal
cannot possibly be scientifically correct and the matter should henceforth
be re-evaluated by other well-reputed and dedicated avian geneticists -
who consciously desire to establish the truth - by means of scientifically
based - DNA Profiling Procedures.

Final Summation: In accordance with our well established, database
findings - Ash Red, Blue/Black and Brown do not produce Genotypic
Bronze!
To realize this, one must always cross a Bronze genotype variety of
pigeon (Archangel for example) with the three separate color varieties!

Bronze is an indisputably, individual color variety of Columba livia!
And if any living soul can produce sound and investigative, documented
evidence - as to which of the color of the three - was ultimately
responsible for producing the first ever Bronze specimen - Albert and I
patiently await your highly informative email in protest!
Any comments most welcome...

Manny Arquette
Mar. 17, 2010

Did the White Man evolve from the Black?
Or Did the Black Man evolve from the White?
Perhaps Adam was White and Eve was Black?

If you are able to answer any of the above -
Puzzling but Pertinent Trivia
“You truly personify and epitomise Wisdom & fully
comprehend the deepest, dark secrets of
evolutionary enlightenment!”

A lesson in logical reasoning

First let me say that you don’t have to be an ‘Einstein’ to understand the above
concept that will open the way for one and all to make better judgements in our
daily lives. I have no intention to push my philosophical ideas and logical
observations on anyone who visits this website - merely to offer another path
towards enlightenment.
Those who might disagree with any statements are welcome to debate the issue
via email.
Throughout our life we will be exposed to many ideas from various sources and
some opinions expressed may relate to a beloved hobby of choice - such as
keeping pigeons.It has to be said that not all opinions that float about the Internet
are sound in their context and we are left in the wilderness when the crunch comes
to evaluate which of these are scientifically based and which are simply clap-trap
that hold no value.
I believe we creatures of God are pretty well much the same in our genetic
composition and behaviour - as nature intended: we have sex to procreate, we eat
and drink, we digest and expel our food in the same manner, we mate and have
offspring, we fight and play and so on and so forth.
In knowing this then surely it stands to reason that skin or feather color has evolved
In much the same manner and although it may be argued that we humans possess a
soul and all other creatures do not - with keeping religion at bay, I believe, soul or no
soul, we are all genetically linked and our evolutionary path is also closely tied and
this does not preclude color. I would ask the viewer to think on this: Humanity is said
to have evolved from a Caucasian couple by way of divinity, however as a student of
science, I say that inasmuch as Biblical teachings are a worthy and necessary part
of spiritual understanding,as a Genetics researcher - I must assess my work on fact
and this I do with the help of scientific methodology such as DNA profiling.

If only for this exercise in logical reasoning we take divinity out of the equation - how
many black coloured children are likely to come from untainted Caucasian parents?
My simple answer...None, Zip, Nada and Nix! The fact is color is genotypically unique
In its own right and aside from mutations and divinity’s calling - to get a black child you
must have one parent who carries the genes for black!
Pigeons genetics are to a degree on par with the statement above and if you doubt my
opinion, take two pure Blue/Black (homozygous-black) pigeons and see how long it
takes you to produce an Ash Red offspring? Also do this with Ash Red, Wild Type and
Brown and see how long It takes to produce a Slate or a Bronze offspring? Please do
let me know the outcome.
I just wonder how many of you would, with marked confidence, walk up to a Native Indian,
African, Japanese, Spaniard, Arab and Eskimo and declare their skin color does not
reflect their genotypic constitution because according to historical teaching - they are all
in fact of Caucasian extract! I say - Good luck with that folks and take out some heavy
life insurance! For I believe it would be tantamount to telling a Muslim there is only one
true religion and yours just ain’t it my brother, or vice versa - that is why we are sadly
burdened with the futility and horrific consequences of war on this Earth!
Summation: Do not take to heart everything you read or hear and do your homework.
Columba livia as seen today exposes the myths of the past and those who still believe
in the three colors principle should get with the scientific times. I can only trust the above
holds some value in its self expressed context and perhaps we can all gain a better
understanding of avian genetics!

Manny Arquette

Mar. 24, 2010

Autosomal Dominant Slate
Genotypically Unique in its own right

The photos exhibited hereunder of the Slate Genotype is proof beyond a
doubt that it is not linked to the three colors principle of Ash Red, Blue/Black
and Brown.
Only a person with tunnel vision would discount the fact that on a
photographic comparison to any of the three - the Slate variety holds no
similarity whatsoever.
Does the Spread Slate depicted, look to be comparable in phenotype to
Ash Red? NO!
Does it remotely resemble a brown Genotype NO!
Does it look to be the same in feather-color to any Spread (Blue/Black) ever
exhibited? And once more the simple answer is a resounding NO!

So let me ask all the genetics experts out there this: if it isn’t color-shade
comparable to any of the Three Colors Principle - then what color variety of
Spread is it - pray tell?
Wild Type Spread is genetically divisible by three color factors and they are
unreservedly: Homozygous Spread. Heterozygous Spread and in dilute
form - Dun!
The Autosomal Spread Slate (as shown) is also Homozygous. Heterozygous
and Pale-grey dilute!

It doesn’t take a flamin’ rocket scientist to therefore conclude, if it is not a mirror
image of any of three - then it has to be an individual color variety in its own right
and in this instance, uniquely so and on a global scale - cause if you got one?
We sure as hell would like to hear from you!
Important points to consider when evaluating the primordial Genome
Status of Columbidae and how it effects Wild Type and Autosomal
Dominant Slate.
For this exercise, I wish only to concentrate on Autosomal Pattern and
Color Variance between the two individual Genomes.

Evolutionary manifestation & phenotypic conception of both specimens
so declared by yours truly and A.A.R.O.

Order of evolutionary conception.

Wild Type: Blue Checker - Blue Bar - Spread - Pale Checker & Bar - Dun
or Dilute.
Autosomal Dominant Slate: - Slate Checker - Slate Bar - Black-Satin Slate -
Golden-Shield Slate - Spread Slate - Pale-Grey or Dilute.
Please note the greater phenotypic color variance that exists between the
two Genomes and validated with photographic evidence on this website.

Homozygous
Spread Slate

Heterozygous
Spread Slate

Lucid-Spread Slate Dilute
(Pale-Grey)

And hereunder folks - is our infamous Wild Type Spread!

Heterozygous Spread

Homozygous Spread

Spread Dilute or Dunbar

A mirror image of the above Genotypic Slate phenotypes? - I think not!

Summation: With the proof-positive documented evidence put
forward on this website - I believe that History will duly attest to my
findings and the controversial matter of the three colors principle be
reviewed and the long held myth finally exposed for the benefit of
one and all! Once avian genetics research is on par with human
genetics research - the DNA profiling of avian species shall ensure
only the true facts be forecast by genetic researchers!

Manny Arquette

Mar. 28, 2010

Lavender influenced Faded Ash Red Dilute

Bronze Tort w/f

Ice Indigo Checker

Terracotta Indigo Checker

Manny Arquette

Embracing the Complexities of Avian Genetics

If we are to fully understand the evolutionary transition of Columbidae to its
having transformed from the species former dove status to the phenotypic
embodiment as observed today, one needs to not only research its genetic
development by way of well documented observation through the powers of
the microscope, but to also clearly comprehend and evaluate the evolutionary
dynamics that contributed to the many progressive changes as seen today.

The domesticated and wild pigeon has undergone substantial genetic
transformation by way of mutative conception and is the predominant reason
why it has adapted so well throughout its vast habitat to become so prolific
and on a global scale.

Sadly too many uninitiated research exponents of today are still beholding to
long held postulations of the past that fall far short of scientific credibility and
in the main due to a lack of DNA profiling techniques in establishing the
validated facts surrounding avian evolutionary progression.

My scientific findings of today have exposed many of the myths of the past
and these have been documented together with photographs of individual
specimens herein for all to analyse in their own assessment as to the validity
of my well researched declarations.

There is a need for breeders wishing to better acquaint themselves with
mutative genetic complexities to document the slightest changes through
close observation and also deliberate as to the manner of influence these
changes have had upon the subject species, whether it be color, size, skeletal
alterations and genetic predominance from a bird’s former state of being.

The research project has now documented several Genomes of which have
been genetically altered to have dual coexisting genotypes within the one
Genome. For example: the Spread Ash over Spread Indigo mutation and
now a second occurrence, the Spread Ash over Grizzle mutation which is of
an equal status in its evolutionary procreation .

One can only trust this enlightenment will be embraced by those astute avian
researches who choose to pursue the scientific facts and no longer be seen
as blinded sheep in a large flock of the uninitiated!

Jun. 22, 2010

Spread Ash over Grizzle mutation

Spread Ash over Grizzle Genotype. At first may be a tad difficult to fathom,
with Ash Red Genotypes being Dominant to Grizzle – in this instance, both
are genetically and equally linked with neither one of a presiding dominance
to the other, but instead, now sharing the same genotype status toward
reproduction. A very noteworthy mutation, globally.