subspecies?

[felisdomesticus]

I have read online about Eclectus subspecies. I am not really sure what Scarlett is, though.

She DOES NOT have yellow at the tip of her tail feathers. They are an orangish color at the tips which are lighter than the other 3/4 part of her tail. Around the vent, it is mostly red, again with a bit of orangish coloration.

She DOES NOT have blue eye rings but she really doesn't have anything around her eyes. I spoke to her foster mom (she spent 6 months there from this past Sept to March or April) and she said that Scarlett had a sinus infection when she was surrendered which was why she scratched her head. Scarlett still does this. I first thought that she was scratching by her eyes which was why there were no feathers there--but that is not the case. She scratches the top of her head but a small circular area around here eyes has no feathers.

The Outlaw asked me about her size. I don't have a gram scale yet but I believe she is larger than an African Grey.

[kimforster]

Here's some info on subspecies

http://www.geocities.com/eclectusgro...fredbauer.html

http://www.holisticbirds.com/HBN01/a.../eclectus1.htm

http://www.eclectusville.com/The_Ecl...arrot.html#sub

[The Outlaw]

If you go to the Land of Vos site, they have photos of the subspecies. Frankly, she looks so much like Mai Tai that I suspect what you actually have is a hybrid eclectus. Mai Tai is a Redsided and Grand cross.

In the early days of Ekkie breeding, little was know about the sub-species. In fact, for a long time, they didn't even realize that both the green and red birds were even the same species! Finally, they figured out that the reds were female and the greens were males. The female color patterns more clearly define the actual species traits. The males are far more difficult to classify. So, when pairs were set up, often hybrids were accidentally created by otherwise good breeders. They simply thought that they had set up proper pairs. It was when the babies started arriving and really didn't fit into any category that they went back and figured out their error. The easiest of all the subspecies to identy is the Solomon's Island. The colors are very irridescent and more on the violet/blue scale. Also, they are very small.

Since even the long time breeders still have trouble figuring out what traits go with which species, it will be unlikely you'll ever truly know the roots of your bird. I only know because the hatchpapers make a note of it. And, I'm certain that's VERY unusual.

It wasn't about trying to mess around with Nature, it was simple human error.

[peeker]

My first thought looking at her is a Grand. The things you say to describe her also seem to fit. If you are able to speak with a breeder, they might be able to offer more help. Nancy's right though, unfortunately so many birds can be a mixture of the subspecies since it is difficult to tell them apart-especially the males!

[felisdomesticus]

She does seem to have most of the Grand characteristics. The only thing that I would disagree with is that she has some bright blue on her around her wings. Her front is more purple than the Red-Sided (which is described as royal blue) but I definitely see blue by her wings.

I tried to take some pictures of her but I don't know if they will be helpful or not. The flash may have changed the colors. I'm pathetic with the digital camera.

[The Outlaw]

How much does she weigh? That may give us an idea of what her roots are. I really think she's a hybrid. My guess is a Grand and a SI.

[The Outlaw]

You know, she may be a Vos Marie/Grand hybrid. I just borrowed this from Carolyn Swicegood's Land of Vos site. This may give you an idea.

Origin

Eight to ten subspecies of Eclectus roratus roratus are recognized. They originate from the Cape York Peninsula of Australia, the islands of Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, and New Guinea. The nominate race is the Grand Eclectus, "Eclectus roratus roratus". According to one expert, there are nine Eclectus sub-species.

• Red-sided Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus polychloros (blue eye ring/no yellow on tail)
• Vosmaeri Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus vosmaeri (yellow on tail/no blue eye ring)
• Solomon Island Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus solomonensis (like small Red-sided)
• Aruensis Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus aruensis (larger Red-sided/male has red eyes)
• Macgillivray Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus macgillivrayi (largest, like Red-sided)
• Biaki Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus biaki
• Cornelia's Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus cornelia
• Riedeli's Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus riedeli
• Westermani Eclectus -- Eclectus roratus westermani

[felisdomesticus]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

How much does she weigh? That may give us an idea of what her roots are.

I'm not really sure. I was going to go out to buy a scale today but I've been drugged up on Benadryl and napping off and on throughout the day. I don't know what's blooming around here but it is KILLING me.

I'm going to get the scale tomorrow so I'll post her weight then.

[The Outlaw]

I think that the only ekkies with that violet blue are the Vos Marie's. She definitely looks like she has some violet in her feathering.

[peeker]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw

I think that the only ekkies with that violet blue are the Vos Marie's. She definitely looks like she has some violet in her feathering.

From what I've read the Vosmaeri is described as having lavendar, the Solomon and Redsided as blue, and the Grand-purple.

Here's one of the pages I looked at for subspecies I.D.
http://www.oldworldaviaries.com/ecg/pages/hentable.htm