Incredible Colours in Parrots

Dr Terry Martin first became interested in birds at the age of 10, when given a pair of Zebra Finches. Terry’s love of birds has continued through to the present day. He is now an avian veterinarian and aviculturist, and has just published a book on colour mutations and genetics in parrots.

The new book has two main aims: to present information about genetics and mutations in a readily understandable format, and to discuss the genetics of colour mutations in parrots. The range of colour varieties in parrots today is staggering. In fact, Terry has documented about 400 different primary mutations in over 80 different species of parrots.

Terry keeps a wide range of parrots including Neophema species, Red-rumped Parrots, Eastern and Western Rosellas, Indian Ringnecked Parrots, Peachfaced and Masked Lovebirds and Zebra Finches. He currently has breeding experiments under way to learn more about complex gene interaction in Zebra Finches, Red-rumped Parrots and Peachfaced Lovebirds.

Terry’s work is based on the premise that the same mutations are appearing in different species because the genes are derived from common ancestors. However, due to variation in species, the mutations will appear differently from species to species.
Book details

‘A Guide to Colour Mutations & Genetics in Parrots’ by Dr Terry Martin BVSc. ABK Publications (ISBN 0957702477), RRP $70.