My BHC has WBC colors

[sylphie]

Hello! First time posting here since this has both me and my caique's vet stumped! Lol. My BHC (1 year 4 months old) has been going through multiple molts, and has been losing the black feathers on his head, and gaining orange feathers. He has green under his eyes like a BHC, yet yellow legs like WBC. The feathers on his head have been turning orange every molt since last November I'd say. It's not an issue with me, nor are we concerned. He's happy and healthy. (and crazy!) I'm asking out of curiosity if anyone else has experienced this. I actually asked the breeder we got him yesterday if they've seen it before. They told me it was probably some form of genetics coming through. Any other possible explanation would be great! I provided photos below from his baby stage to now.

 

[Mizzely]

@Irishj9 @Laurie are our resident Caiques experts, hopefully they will be by soon!

 

[CrazyKozmo]

Maybe he's just showing his originality??! They are such goofy birds! Your's looks like a sweet baby

 

[April]

Ooh what a cutie. That's so interesting that his colors are coming in this way.

 

[sylphie]

Maybe he's just showing his originality??! They are such goofy birds! Your's looks like a sweet baby

Haha yes! That's what I call it now. He's special and I love that. Thank you! <3

Ooh what a cutie. That's so interesting that his colors are coming in this way.

Thank you! <3 Yeah, I agree! I do love the uniqueness of it not going to lie. Lol

 

[Mitzi]

He may be a hybrid of black headed and white bellied.

 

[sylphie]

He may be a hybrid of black headed and white bellied.

That was something we thought of too. I hope not if I'm being honest in case there's any possible health issues that come with that. We were already told he has a larger than usual heart.

 

[Irishj9]

The simplest explanation is usually the best.

Have you considered that he IS a WBC?

 

[T. gillii]

I actually asked the breeder we got him yesterday if they've seen it before. They told me it was probably some form of genetics coming through.

Definitely weird that the breeder doesn't know

 

[Irishj9]

The simplest explanation is usually the best.

Have you considered that he IS a WBC?

The green under his eyes is a giveaway WBC traity though. I think hes a hybrid WBC/BHC

 

[T. gillii]

Here is a comment from @Laurie on an older similar thread

Looks like you got lots of feedback. I see he still has yellow feathers on his belly, red eyes and the black feathers on his head. For his age I would think maybe a year to year and a half. I wouldn't rule out the 8 months but I would think most likely close to a year old. He has a lot of the black head feathers still but has lost a lot of his yellow belly feathers so it would seem he has molted some and that seem to happen later than 8 months.

There is nothing at all on this bird that makes me think hybrid. WBC babies can have any amount of black on their heads as babies but will lose all or most of the black feathers by the time they are two (by 1 1/2 years old they almost look like adults). Light feet, freckles, patches to all black are within normal for a WBC. The dark spots or dark feet also tend to get darker as they age.

Just a little tid bit. Did you know that black-capped caiques hatch with all white skin but as they grow and feather out they get black feet, nails, beaks and the skin under their little black cap turns black as well. The skin around their eyes can be light or dark.

If an adult bird had a large amount of black feathers I would perhaps think about considering it a hybrid. I am not a expert on hybrids but I guarantee that this bird, for it's age looks normal to me

He is a cutie!

And an additional older thread Blackish Part on Baby WBC

Here is an adult hybrid caique next to a WBC. In my (very unqualified) opinion, your baby really does just look more like a white bellied caique!

 

[sylphie]

The green under his eyes is a giveaway WBC traity though. I think hes a hybrid WBC/BHC

Yeah that's what gave me the confusion too, haha. The green under his eyes really throws everything off.

Here is a comment from @Laurie on an older similar thread


And an additional older thread Blackish Part on Baby WBC

Here is an adult hybrid caique next to a WBC. In my (very unqualified) opinion, your baby really does just look more like a white bellied caique!
View attachment 450563

Its interesting because the orange on the head of the hybrid really looks similar to my caique's orange on his head vs the white bellied. I don't know, he's still going through molts, and based on your response it seems better to try and guess what's going on more when he hits around two years old?

Also not sure if you guys know, if he is a hybrid does that come with possible health issues?

 

[Mitzi]

My BHC has green under his eyes. I thought that is what a BHC has, not a WBC.

 

[Irishj9]

Yeah that's what gave me the confusion too, haha. The green under his eyes really throws everything off.



Its interesting because the orange on the head of the hybrid really looks similar to my caique's orange on his head vs the white bellied. I don't know, he's still going through molts, and based on your response it seems better to try and guess what's going on more when he hits around two years old?

Also not sure if you guys know, if he is a hybrid does that come with possible health issues?

There are no specific hybrid health issues. Breeding hybrids is frowned upon because the caique ( in all its variants) is an endangered species in the wild, and breders are trying to maintain the genetic integrity of the remaining birds

 

[sylphie]

There are no specific hybrid health issues. Breeding hybrids is frowned upon because the caique ( in all its variants) is an endangered species in the wild, and breders are trying to maintain the genetic integrity of the remaining birds

That's a relief there's no standout health issues with hybrids. Less to worry about if he is one. Thank you!