Red Suffusion
by Doug Bedwell

Red Suffusion, sometimes referred to as "red pied", is probably not a true color mutation, strictly speaking, but it is often mistaken for one, so I have included it here. In fact, the causes of red suffusion are not particularly well understood. Though many breeders have claimed that this is a genetic mutation, no one has been able to consistently reproduce it through a series of generations, which sheds considerable doubt that it is actually a genetically heritable trait.

Red suffusion typically appears as a series of red "spots." It is generally believed that the red spots are caused by some sort of dietary problem, or liver disfunction while the feathers were developing, which caused them to become differently pigmented. The problem may well have resolved itself before the differently colored feathers are ever noticed.

Red suffusion is frequently seen in very old birds, or young birds before their first molt. The bird shown in the picture accompanying this article showed the red suffusion up until its first molt at around five months of age. It has been over a year since that molt, and the red color has not returned, nor has the red shown up in any of that bird's close relatives.

I am not aware of red suffusion being clinically connected to any sort of serious illness, though probably no thorough research has been done on it, since it is fairly uncommon. I am probably asked about it two or three times a year, which may give you some idea of how often it crops up. If a bird shows red suffusion, you may want to keep an eye on his activity level, and check his droppings to be sure they look normal. It might be worthwhile to have a good avian vet do a blood workup, especially if the bird shows other signs of illness. However, it is not uncommon for red suffusion to appear in a bird that seems healthy in every other regard. It may be that whatever ailment caused the color has resolved itself even before the color became evident, or it may be that there is another explanation for the color.

As there is, obviously, much left to be learned about the causes of Red Suffusion. If anyone reading this article has encountered this coloring, I would be interested in hearing about your experience with it.

Incidentally, there is every reason to imagine that a truly red mutation of the peachfaced will turn up at some point. All the necessary pigments are there, so if the right genetic "quirk" occurs at some point, we could end up with "rosy lovebirds" just as with "rosy Bourkes". (I don't know a thing about rosy Bourkes mind you, but I think that's what is at work there). Anyway, if you thought that there were a blue million color mutations now, just wait, there will almost certainly be more.

The bird to the left has an orange suffusion. Note that both of the birds in these photos are lutinos.

 

 
home madagascar lovebird

green fischer's lovebird

 

Photo credits: red suffusion by Nancy Porras; orange suffusion by B&G Birds