American Yellow
(Dilute)
by Doug Bedwell  American
Yellow is one of the older Peachfaced mutaions.
It was first known in the late 1960's, when
several birds of this color were imported by
David West. All American Yellows are descendants
of these birds. The original source of the birds
is unknown. (Stephanie Wesloh, Agapornis World,
Feb/Mar 1995).
American yellow is
a simple recessive mutation, which results in a
reduction of melanin (melanin is a dark pigment)
throughout the bird. The result is a yellow bird,
with a very pale blue rump. The rump color varies
from slightly blue to nearly white. There is
often a faint dark edging to the feathers, which
can give the bird a vaguely sculpted appearance.
The body color is not the smooth, bright yellow
color of the lutino peachfaced, but is a vaguely
greenish, more subdued yellow. The difference is
that with the lutino, ALL melanin is removed from
the feathers, but with the american yellow a
small amount of melanin remains.
The American
Yellow is frequently misidentified, due in part
to its similarity to other mutations, and partly
to the fact that it is known by so many different
names. "These names include Golden Cherry,
Cherryhead, Dilute, Edged-yellow , Yellow, par
Yellow, and Light Green-Pastel". (Wesloh)
Some of these names are also used for the
Japanese Yellow mutation, which is similar, but
unrelated. The ALBS terminology comittee has
settled on the name American Yellow, and this
standard name for the mutation should be used in
preference to any other.
The American
Yellow is not a common color, as many breeders
and pet owners have chosen to focus on the
brighter, more spectacular Lutino Mutation.
Still, some birds of this color can be found with
a little searching. It is often seen in
combination with the Dutch blue mutation. These
birds are frequently referred to as
"Silver", or "American
White". They are pale grey in color, with
the characteristic edging on the feathers, and a
slightly blue to grey/white rump. The face is the
same as for the Dutch Blue.
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| Photo Credits: Kim Frievald - Blue Series American Dilute(Silver) |
Japanese Yellow
(Imperial Golden Cherry)
 The Japanese Yellow is a
truly beautiful mutation. Birds of this color are
a slightly clearer yellow than with the American
Yellow mutation, but the blue of the rump is more
intense.
Unfortunately, Japanese Yellow hens are typically
infertile. Since the mutation inherits
recessively, the best strategy with these birds
has been to breed a visual male with a split
yellow female. Unfortunately, this results in
fully half the hens being useless as breeder
birds, and most breeders are unwilling, or unable
to tackle such a difficult obstacle.
For this reason, the Japanese Yellow has all but
disappeared, at least in American Aviculture. I
am not certain that there are even any birds of
this color remaining in the US. Photo
shows Japanese yellow with dark
factor (left) and Japanese yellow, orange-faced
with dark factor (right).
Visit the ALBS Picture Library for more pictures of Dilute Love Birds.
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