Hybrid 101

[The Outlaw]

It has been brought to my attention that some of the newer folks may not really know the definition of a hybrid or why they are so different from the normal species. I will, in simple terms, try to explain it to you.

Hybrids are created when a pure species, say a blue and gold macaw, is bred with another species, say a scarlet macaw. These birds in their natural environments would almost never breed. The offspring of this union is a hybrid macaw called a Catalina. You may have seen these beautiful creatures in local bird shops. They are usually, but not always, turquoise and orange as opposed to blue and yellow or gold. Frankly, in a normal clutch, if 3 are produced, one will likely look exactly like a blue and gold, one like a scarlet and one as described, orange and turquoise. The only way you can create a true Catalina is to always mate a blue and gold with a scarlet macaw.

Let's say you decide to breed your Catalina with another hybrid Catalina. This would produce a second generation Catalina hybrid. One of my friends has one, Koko, and her colors are completely different from its parents. Instead of clear colors, hers are more subdued and in fact, more brownish. She is very pretty and very unusual, but frankly, as I'm sure my friend will admit, not what most folks had in mind when they thought about a Catalina.

So, by manipulating the gene pool, what happens is that certain traits can become dominant. In this example, one can expect a number of things to likely happen. One of them is that often, hybrids are sterile. Secondly, they are usually larger than either parent. Thirdly, they can be very high strung and unpredictable. And, if memory serves, their expected lifespan is shorter.

The reason that hybridizing is usually frowned upon in the avian world is that once produced, the youngsters often get mistaken for purebreds. A perfect example is here in a local petshop in Maryland. A Catalina chick was being offered for $1600. I looked it over and could find no visable evidence that it wasn't a normal blue and gold macaw. It had no discoloration in the beak, the colors were true and the size seemed normal. However, upon requesting to see the hatch papers, there it was in black and white.

If I had not known this baby was truly a hybrid Catalina and purchased it to pair with a true blue and gold, then I would be creating hybrids unknowingly. Many birds have their leg bands removed and their histories get forgotten as they change homes. Few second and third owners know as much about the bird as the orginal owners.
So, if one thinks they have a purebred and don't, you can see how quickly the entire gene pool could be contaminated.

The difference between breeds and species is simply this: a breed is created and can always be duplicated by pairing the same breeds. Hybrids can only be replicated by crossing species. To create a standard poodle, I only need a male and female standard poodle to create standard poodle pups. To create a Catalina, I always have to have a BG and a Scarlet to produce a true, first generation Catalina.

There now. Does that help?

THE OUTLAW

[Crebain]

Thank you Gregor Mendel of the avian world!

[SavvyMoon]

One of the best, clear-cut explanations I've ever read. :)

Savvy*

[The Outlaw]

Thank you. I hate all of the latin crap that no one understands.

[Chariclo]

Excellent Nancy!

My Catalina has the orange/turquoise coloration. The other baby from the clutch died a few weeks old. I purchased Maia because of her beautiful coloration, but more importantly because of her temperment. She took to me right away, and touched my heart the moment we met. (I went there to buy a Cockatoo). She is an extrememly affectionate baby, but of course has had intensive hands-on care since day one. Currently she appears much smaller than other pure bred B&Gs at the breeders of the same age. But as you know from other posts, she had a rough start in life, and it's far too soon to tell if she will be larger than her parents or not.

I have been doing alot of reading about the controversy, and have received some pretty heated ridicule on "Macaw" websites for even owning this bird. I have absolutely NO intentions of ever breeding her. And in the future, I don't think I would ever PURCHASE another, as I have given it much thought, and I'm not quite sure I want to be responsible for perpetuating the contamination of the bloodlines. Please understand, that before buying Maia, I was not aware of the depth of this controversy. Since getting her, I have even had debates with the person I purchased her from about the ethics of sellling these animals. She claims that this cross breeding DOES occur in the wild. (She's not the breeder - just the dealer). I think she truly believes her theory, however I have not read, or seen much to prove her right. If anyone knows differently, please provide the info.

I love Maia! She's been MORE than I could have ever dreamed of. But I do have a problem with some - okay, alot of - aspects of the bird "business". As we all know, there are those out there that may have started with a love of birds, and have been tainted by the love of money.
Unfortunately for the sake of the individual species, this could be fatal.

If you are going to own a hybrid - please do so responsibly. :)

[The Outlaw]

Please don't think I love hybrids one bit less than their "pure" cousins. Not at all. You fall in love with the BIRD, not the genes. I just think that its reckless and poorly thought out to continue to create what could ultimately lead to the permanent pollution of the gene pool. My Ekkie is a hybrid and to me she's the most beautiful Eclectus I've ever seen. However, she will be the last of her lineage at least as long as I'm alive.

I do not mean to imply AT ALL that hybrids are inferior. They are, however, different.

THE OUTLAW

[Chariclo]

Absolutely - I totally agree.
I'm sorry if I sounded defensive, I've just come in contact with alot of ANTI hybrid people, and I get worked up about the subject.
I'm so glad that people are accepting here. Don't we all just want to be the best bird parents we can be?

[cavinandhope]

Well I understand what everyone is saying about keeping the gene pool pure. I agree, But Most of us wouldn't own such beautiful bird if it hadn't happened. I am like chariclo I too didn't know about hybrids an didn't understand until now. But if you think of it all a lot of us would not be here if our ansestors hadn't breeded with others if you know what I mean. I have 1/10 indian in me and don't know what else. LOL. But not to get on to a difficult and angry subject for people. As I posted in another Topic area I finally found out what my Stitch is. I was wrong on his gene pool.. This is what I was sent from his breeder. If you done read this sorry for the repeat.

He is not Harlaquin. His father is a Catalina Macaw
(which is a cross between a Blue & Gold and a Scarlet Macaw) and
his mother is pure Blue & Gold. Stitch is genetically severnty-five
percent Blue and Gold and twenty-five percent Scarlet Macaw.

But I still love him and would take nothing for him.

Thanks Outlaw for your post it helped me understand a lot.

[plumasverdes]

You being 1/10 indian is totally different from your bird being 1/4 Scarlet macaw. An Indian and a European are still both HUMANS. They are the same species, just from different parts of the world. A Scarlet macaw and a B&G macaw are totally different SPECIES. It is akin to a wolf and a dog breeding or a lion and a tiger. Keep in mind these are not BREEDS. That is something you get when you demestocate an animal. The parrots here are still the same as the ones in the wild. It is important to separate the differences between species, breeds and nationalities.

I am totally against creating more hybrids but the ones that are here need good homes and just as much love as the rest of them. Please make sure that, if your bird ever leaves your hands, that the person that recieves him/her knows that it is not a pure B&G; it could save future generations from pollution.

[Cheeky beaks]

Hi' I hope I'm not putting my foot in it, but what about cockatiels? A normal cockatiel is grey, yet there are pieds, pearls, cinnamons etc. Are these hybreds? I'm trying to understand "The Hybred" debate and this is something that I'm always wondered about. Thanks ahead Joan