Understanding Classic Melanic Canaries

A Special Thanks To Antonio Javier Sanz and Enzo Del Pozzo for photo usage.

Melanics

Classic Mutations

To understand Melanics you must understand Lipochromes. Melanic canaries are birds with visible markings appearing over the lipochromic background, in short terms a Lipochrome bird with markings overlaying it. Not only is Lipochrome judged but now you must judge the markings known as striations on the birds as well. There are 4 different types of melanic canaries and 2 different division within them.

The Oxidized

The oxidized division is for both the Black and Brown mutation that expresses maximum concentrated eumelanin. The markings of the oxidized are long, thick, perfectly aligned uninterrupted leaving the interstria clear (showing background color in between striations). The melanin base must start from the beak and head straight down to the rump. Found concentrated with eumelanin in the center of the feather and disperse towards the edges. Oxidized birds are naturally a bigger size than the diluted.

Black

Heritage: Black, Dominant, Oxidated

Effect: Maximum expression of black eumelanin that may be combined with lipochrome depending on background color.

Design- Maximum black eumelanin concentration with long, wide, continuous and parallel as possible. Must start from the head wide, thick and visible going towards the wings and rump. Design on chest and flanks must be parallel to the wing.

Corneal Parts- Beak, Legs and Nails must be black.

Genotype: z+rb+/z+rb+

Intensive Yellow Black

Intensive Red Black

Yellow Black Mosaic Hen

Red Black Mosaic Male

Red Black Mosaic Hen

Brown

Heritage: Brown, Dominant, Oxidated (Recessive to Black)

Effect: Maximum expression of brown

Design- Maximum brown eumelanin concentration with long, wide, continuous and parallel as possible. Must start from the head wide, thick and visible going towards the wings and rump. Design on chest and flanks must be parallel to the wing. Very dark background wuth presence of melanin (phaeomelanin and eumelanin) evenly distributed. Lipochrome colors look dark.

Corneal Parts- Beak, Legs and Nails must be brown.

Genotype: zrb+/ zrb+

Non Intensive Red Brown

Intensive Red Ivory Brown

Yellow Brown Mosaic Hen

Red Brown Mosaics (Male and Hen)

The Diluted

The diluted division consist of both Agate and Isabel mutation that reduces the eumelanin. The markings are now short, thin, broken, interrupted striations. The design base must begin from the beak and head straight down to the rump like the oxidized. Concentrate on center of feather and Dilute the disperse zones. The diluted is a small size compared to the oxidized.

Agate

Heritage: Black, Diluted, Recessive to Oxidated, Dominant to Isabel.

Effect: Maximum black expression concentrated with the Dilution effect dispersing including Corneal areas.

Design- Back design is Black and now short, thin and choppy. From the head visible short thin and broken down towards the wings and rump. Flanks and chest design must be parallel to wings. The absence of the melanin due to Dilution now shows more background color. Design must be black and visible.

Corneal Parts- Beak, Legs, Nails are flesh colored.

Side Note: Only Agate Mosaics must have a presence of light grey interstrai

Genotype: z+rb/z+rb

Intensive and Non Intensive Yellow Agate

Recessive White Agate

Intensive Red Ivory Agate

Non Intensive Red Agate

Red Agate Mosaic Male

Red Agate Mosaic Hen

Isabel

Heritage: Brown, Diluted, Recessive

Effect: Brown expression concentrated with the reduction effect changing the brown eumelanins into a light Beige color it also is dispersing in Corneal areas.

Design- Back design is light beige and now short, thin and choppy. From the head visible short thin and broken down towards the wings and rump. Flanks and chest design must be parallel to wings. The absence of the melanin due to reduction now shows more background color. Design must be light beige and visible.

Corneal Parts- Beak, Legs, Nails are flesh colored.

Genotype: zrb/zrb

Side Note: Only Isabel Mosaics must have a presence of very light beige interstrai

Intensive Yellow Isabel

Non Intensive Yellow Isabel

Non Intensive Red Isabel

To have a better understanding read "Classic Melanics in the 21st Century" by Antonio Javier Sanz. Books come bilingual (English/Spanish) and (French/Italian)

Link to order your copy: https://en.libros-engonari.com/libros-de-pajaros