Delmar Gouldian Finches

USA Lutino Gouldian Finch

Le Maistre Gouldians

LUTINO AND ALBINISTIC GOULDIANS 2012

(By Winnie McAlpin)

HOUSTON......WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!

After a discussion in 2007 with members of GPA102Mutations, I understand the following:

[There could be an unlimited number of different colored Gouldians with red or dark eyes, which would be classified as forms of albinism. Lutino is simply an avicultural term, but with a specific coloring and is caused by an allele of one of the two loci - sex-linked ino or NSL ino. Any new primary mutation is proven by demonstrating the mode of inheritance for a single gene, a combination of genes can produce the same colour but should not be described as a mutation.]

A Lutino Gouldian is often described visually as a Red Eyed, White Breasted, Yellow Bodied Gouldian. I prefer to use the term Red Eyed Gouldian rather than Lutino until the birds have been tested to identify a gene, or a combination of genes which has produced the coloring. The breeding method for the USA Lutino Gouldian is the same as the Budgerigar Lutino. A Budgerigar Lutino Breeding Chart is found at http://www.budgerigars.co.uk/charts/lutinoch.html

The USA Lutino is a different gene from that seen in Red Eyed Gouldians in Belgium, Japan and other countries. It has been suggested that the mutation in Belgium might be similar to the *pearly* Budgerigar. Since their origination around 1985, Lutinos and Albinos from Belgium were exported to European countries and arrived in the USA via Cuba by 2011.

In 2003, after a new line of Gouldian Inos surfaced, exportation from Belgium was expanded. Inos were shipped to various countries, including the Philippines. One Lutino female and two possible Split for Lutino males, which were imported to Philippines in December 2007, did not survive, leaving one Lutino female from the shipment. The breeder attempted to establish a line of Lutinos from the surviving female, but was not successful.

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The Gouldian Inos in Japan are produced from a combination of genes including the Fallow gene. I don't know of any having been exported, but some could have been extended into Europe as gifts. In 2005, I was sent photos of Red Eyed Gouldians in England, the result of a combination of genes, which possibly came from Japan, but the source was not revealed.

In 2005, it was reported that the Fallow gene in Japan was nearly extinct. However, it is possible that Japan presently has the Fallow gene, and the Ino gene, which originated in Belgium. In 2011, I received information stating that there was a waiting list for Fallow Gouldians, which were bred in Spain. It is possible that the Fallow gene does exist in countries other than Japan.

I was contacted in 2005, by a breeder in Cuba concerning Red Eyed Gouldians. Photos of the Inos in Cuba were sent to Daniel Wildemeersch in 2006. These Red Eyed Gouldians came from a combination of genes. The Cuban breeder stated that he intended to separate the Lutino gene if possible. The European Inos in Cuba show more darkness in coloring than other international Inos. In 2012, The Cuban breeder wrote that the Inos in Cuba are Dark Factor Inos. While this name could describe the head coloring, a Gouldian Ino can not carry a gene for both Dark Factor and Ino.

The USA Lutino, which originated in Tennessee, is unique because it has a pale pink breast rather than white. However, the retention of the breast coloring may also be the contributing factor for the lack of eye problems seen in some Lutinos from other countries. It is different in

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coloring than the Gouldian Inos produced in Belgium, Japan, England, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Israel, Spain, Cuba. The USA Lutino not only has different coloring from all other international Gouldian Inos, it is bred according to the Lutino breeding charts of all other bird species and not with mixed genes.

The GUIDE TO GOULDIAN FINCHES (2005) states that there are three Gouldian Ino genes, which produce Red Eyed Gouldians: The Fallow Gene in Japan, which is Autosomal Recessive; the European Lutino gene and the USA Lutino gene, which are both sex-linked. However, it is thought by some international breeders that there is only one Lutino Gouldian gene, other than the Fallow gene in Japan, existing in all international Gouldian Inos. If there is one gene producing all international Gouldian Inos, then an explanation is needed as to their different coloring.

Internet photos show the head coloring of European Inos, which originated in Belgium, displaying mostly tan and brown head coloring with white breasts. The USA Lutino gene produces Lutino Gouldians with bright Red and Yellow Heads, with the Black Head showing as white. Until 2012, the tan, the brown and the white head coloring on international Gouldian Inos had all been labeled as being Black Headed Lutino Gouldians.

Photos of Gouldian Inos from Japan, which were bred from the Fallow gene, show Inos with some Red and Yellow head coloring. The first Lutinos in Australia, which were bred in the 1940's, also had a bright Red head coloring. However, I have seen photos on the Interent from only four international breeders, which show any Red or Yellow coloring on the heads of their Gouldian Inos.

Considering that the first Gouldian Inos in Europe were bred about 1985, the inablility to produce bright Red and Yellow headed Gouldian Inos is no doubt disappointing to many international breeders. The lack of head coloring on European Inos made it difficult for some breeders to believe that the USA Lutino Males, which were shown in photos in 2012, with bright Red and Yellow head coloring, were males. The USA Lutino males, which were thought to be females, were proven to be males by a Youtube video posted on 7.26.12. This video and an apology can be found at http://youtu.be/RzWWbKAiJnM

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In July 2012, when comparing the beak coloring to the tan and brown head coloring on European Inos, I came to some conclusions. I am of the opinon that the white head color with a red tip beak is a Black Headed Ino. The light tan head coloring with the yellow tip beak is a Yellow Headed Ino. The darker brown head with the red tip beak is a Red Headed Ino. The white head with a yellow tip beak is a YTB Black Headed Ino. I posted a Chart showing these head colorings to GPA101Genetics on 7.23.12 and in the Delmar Photo Gallery.

The genetic factor causing the difference in coloring between the USA Lutino and the European Inos is unknown at present. Alessandro Paparelia, an Italian breeder and author, wrote in February 2010, that the feather structure does not allow production of Red and Yellow Headed European Inos. Some European breeders have suggested that the feather structure has been caused by hybridization. This hybridization would have been the result of unintentional, or with intentional breeding, at some point in time.

Because the Lutino Blue-faced Parrot Finch was first crossed to a Gouldian in 1936, and this practice continues until 2012, this leaves the hybrid theory as a possibility. One breeder stated the genetic formula, which he knew to be used by some European breeders, to produce an Ino Gouldian hybrid. The method was a hybrid from crossing the Lutino Blue Faced Parrot Finch to a Gouldian over two generations.

Internet writings and photos verify that the Blue-Faced Parrot Finch and the Lutino Blue-Faced Parrot Finch have been crossed with Gouldian Finches, as well as other bird species. However, there are varying opinions as to the reason for the difference in the coloring between the USA Lutino and the European Inos.

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In 2011, Gouldian Inos from Cuba, which orginated from Spain, were brought into the USA. Some USA breeders became concerned that these Inos were arriving by illegal methods because there has been an embargo bewteen the USA and Cuba since 1962. Some USA breeders also became concerned that the European Inos from Cuba, which looked like the international Inos, except darker in coloration, were the result of hybridization.

The European Inos from Cuba , which are presently bred in Florida, are a result of mixed genes. One of the genes in the genetic mix is the Pastel Green. This can be determined from photos of Pastel Green Split for Ino Males for sale on the Internet. The Pastel Green gene and the Pastel Blue gene have been used by international breeders to produce Gouldian Inos. The DF White Breasted Pastel Green Male has been used by international breeders in an effort to lighten the body and breast coloring.

International breeders of the Gouldian Inos, will no doubt have differing opinions and come to different conclusions. After sincere study, and corresponding with knowledgeable breeders, I have come to my own conclusion. I believe that the primary gene affecting the coloring on most European Inos does react like the Lutino Blue Faced Parrot Finch gene. However, whether this gene could have been the result of hybridization has not and may never be proven. Whether or not this gene was caused by hybridization will no doubt result in years of speculation.

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Understanding the difference in the coloring of international Gouldian Inos is important to some USA breeders, who are interested in maintaining purity in the gene pool. It is also important for maintaining a workable relationship with international breeders of Gouldian Inos. Determining the difference in the coloring of Gouldian Inos is also a contributing factor in determining their market value.

In Belgium on 7.20.04, the price for a quality Green Gouldian was €25,00 (USA $31.25). The price for one Lutino was €750,00 (USA $937.50),
which was 30 times the price of a normal. From 2003 to 2009, Ino Gouldians from Belgum were exported by a company, which had an active web site at http://www.bird-export.com/birds.asp In February 2007, a Lutino Female with a possible Split for Lutino Male was priced for $660.00 US, which did not include the shipping and quarantine expenses from Belgium. In July 2012, European Inos in Florida were sold in the USA for $700.00 for Lutinos and $800.00 for Albinos. A date and price for the selling of the USA Lutinos to the public has not yet been determined.

In July 2012, the first USA Lutino Breeding Chart was posted. The USA Lutinos are produced by breeding Lutinos to Green Goudians rather than the Pastel Green and Pastel Blue genes. When the USA Lutino becomes available on the public market, it will be bred according to genetic charts for Lutinos in other bird species. The USA Lutino gene will have not only been established, but also fully tested, while not placing birds with unknown genetics in the USA Gouldian gene pool.

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After ten years of breeding, the final testing of the USA Lutino was completed by 8.29.12. The final testing determined what affect the White Breast has in relation to the USA Lutino's Pink Breast. A White Breasted USA Lutino Female was born on 8.29.12 from two White Breasted parents and has a White Breast. The second White Breasted USA Lutino Female was born 10.29.12 from two White Breasted parents and retained a pale Pink Breast.

Experienced breeders will most likely appreciate the time needed to complete and fully test the USA Lutino gene. The strength, eyesight, breeding ability and longevity of the USA Lutinos have been tested with great results. Hopefully, other testing by international breeders, including DNA testing, should help us better evaluate the factor causing the difference in coloring observed on the European Inos and the USA Lutinos.

Members at GPA101Genetics will contine to study and attempt to understand the coloring of the international Gouldian Inos. USA breeders and International breeders will form their own opinions, while studying their birds and comparing breeding results with other breeders. Hopefully this inquiry will one day reveal an answer and breeders will be able to improve the coloring of European Inos.

Information, photos and charts have been posted to GPA101Genetics in an effort to identify the Ino genes causing the different head and breast colors on international Gouldian Inos. To assist with the study of the coloring of the international Inos, I have posted a page on this web site as LUTINO HISTORY TIMELINE. I have also posted two charts and a photo at the bottom of this writing.

A Gouldian Finch, whatever color, from whatever genes, should be preserved in the best coloring and conformation possible. Learning more about Gouldian Ino genetics will allow us to achieve this goal and will allow future breeders to appreciate and enjoy Gouldian Inos.

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