Views on parakeet mutations

What do you think about parakeet mutations

  • Yikes! The wild forms are much better

    Votes: 9 52.9%
  • Cool!

    Votes: 4 23.5%
  • Meh, whatever...

    Votes: 4 23.5%

  • Total voters
    17

Zhao yun

Well-Known Member
Anyway, this thread is just what it says on the tin. So, what are your views, and share why!!!
 
Objectively speaking they aren’t as bad but I am irritated when I see color morph Neophema/grass parakeets. I already am not too well versed with the species, so the “wrong colors” do not help.
 
My views are that as long as the animal's health isn't adversely affected, anything goes. And yes, that does apply to all species, not just birds. Many a mutation originally occurred in the the wild, after all.

Animals in the pet trade are virtually exclusively bred for the pet trade nowadays anyway, they're typically many generations removed from wild stock. (With some exceptions. But again, as long as wild-caught animals are sourced responsibly and ethically, with the ultimate aim being to produce captive-bred stock to meet demand for the species in the pet trade, so that animals will no longer have to be taken out of the wild to supply it, than even that is fine.)
 
Emergence of new color morphs of parakeets is just a side product of domestication process that is hapening right now with hundreds of wild species. Ball pythons, parakeets, geckos, hedgehogs and many more.

Thus I see their existence in neutral light.

But I don´t appreciate serious zoos obtaining any. I can tolerate an aviary with mutation budgerigars if they are placed in children zoo or petting corner and clearly labeled as domesticated form. This can be tucked under EDUCATION goal of zoos so it´s ok in my eyes.
 
I have been keeping and breeding many species of psitacines for many years and I can tell you that trying to get normals ie non mutation in some species is nigh on impossible. Golden Mantled Rosellas,are very well sought.I have an odd cock bird and have been offered well over the asking price. In fact trying to find any normal Rosella is incredibly hard Splendid parakeets, I have been trying to obtain a cock bird for 18 months no luck. Even Cockatiels ,people prefer mutations.I could go on .The main reason for mutations ,is that they are worth more money
 
So long as the mutation does not negatively affect the bird's quality of life, I don't have a problem with the existence of such mutations - but they have no place in a zoo (unless it is made clear that these are not the wild form of the bird!).
 
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