Lacewing Budgie (A Comprehensive Guide about this Rare Mutation)
Last Updated on April 8, 2023 by Ali Shahid
There is an interesting mutation in the budgie world known as the Lacewing Budgie. It is a combination of cinnamon budgies and ino budgies, with yellow bodies (in the green series) or white bodies (in the blue series) and red eyes.
Cinnamon and ino mutations are sex-linked mutations, lacewing mutations are also sex-linked mutations. In appearance, lacewings are similar to lutinos and albinos because they possess a clear body color, either yellow or white.
However, the brown markings on the cheeks, back of the head, neck, wings, and tail relate lacewings to cinnamon budgies too. They have well-defined cinnamon-brown throat spots and pale violet cheek patches instead of silvery white in the Ino variety.
Their feet are fleshy pink, and their ceres are also fleshy pink. They have red eyes with a white ring around the iris, just like the Inos. In this article, we will examine the lacewing budgies and examine their genetics and breeding characteristics.
Origin and History of Lacewing Budgie
The lacewing variety was developed in 1948. An unknown light green cock paired with a Lutino hen produced hens in a Lutino stud. Apparently, these Lutinos with ‘bad’ markings and their normal brothers were discarded.
The Lacewing variety was established by Cyril Rogers after he obtained one of these normal offspring cocks and mated them to normal hens.
This breed of lacewing was exported to various parts of the world, including South Africa, where it was further developed.
It was Cyril who exhibited the first Lacewing variety at the 1951 National Exhibition, and it was the Budgerigar Society who standardized the variety in late 1968.
These varieties were brought back from South Africa by Alf Ormerod and Brian Byles. This revived interest in this variety. There was more appeal to the South African strain because of its deeper and more prominent markings.
Appearance
Lacewing budgies come in two basic colors, albino and lutino. They have light brown markings on their wings due to the cinnamon.
They always have red eyes and pink feet. Typically, normal wings are considered the strongest wing pattern, but any other pattern such as recessive pied, dominant pied, or spangle can also be considered lacewings.
The body color is clear yellow (in the green series) or white (in the blue series). The body color of some lacewings is slightly tinted.
Personality
The Lacewing Budgie is a beautiful, small, and energetic parakeet that is a popular choice for a pet companion. Its personality is one of the main reasons it is so beloved.
These birds possess a friendly and inquisitive nature, making them incredibly social and great at interacting with humans. Their personalities are very distinct from other parakeets, as they are known to be very active, playful, and curious.
They may have bursts of energy where they will fly and explore around their cage, always looking for something new. They can also be quite social and will often seek out human attention.
Lacewing Budgies are also very talkative and can learn to mimic human speech. This is one of the most endearing traits of a Lacewing Budgie, and it can be a great way to bond with your pet.
They enjoy learning new words and sounds, and after some time, they can even learn entire sentences. These birds can also be quite independent and may not need as much attention as other parakeet species.
They are also generally very calm and laid-back, and will often take naps during the day. Lacewing Budgies are intelligent and entertaining birds that can form strong bonds with their owners.
They are great companions and make a wonderful addition to any home. With their unique personalities and intelligent, curious nature, they are sure to bring joy and happiness to any family.
Understanding the Genetics of Lacewing Budgies
There are two gene mutations present in lacewing budgies: ino and cinnamon. A cinnamon mutation and an ino mutation are sex-linked and passed down through the X chromosome.
When a cinnamon male is crossed with an ino female, we obtain 48 percent cinnamon, 48 percent ino, 2 percent normal females, and 2 percent lacewings. But why don’t we get 50 percent cinnamon and 50 percent ino?
The answer lies in the two scenarios in lacewing genetics:
- Type 2 lacewing
There is one X chromosome in a female Budgie, whereas there are two X chromosomes in a male Budgie. Type 2 lacewings possess ino and cinnamon genes on opposite chromosomes.
As a result, this type 2 lacewing is only found in males and not in females. The reason for this is that males have two X chromosomes that contain ino and cinnamon genes on the opposite chromosome. However, a female has only one X chromosome.
As a consequence, it is impossible to have the ino and cinnamon genes in opposite sexes, so type 2 female lacewings are not possible.
- Type 1 Lacewing
In type 1 lacewings, both the cinnamon and ino genes are found on the same X chromosome. In other words, it occurred in both males and females.
The reason is that the cinnamon and ino genes are closely related and are located close to one another on alleles. Hence, even if a female has one X chromosome, it can still show type 1 lacewings.
Breeding Lacewing Budgies
The ino and cinnamon genes must be present in both parents in order to produce lacewing budgie chicks.
A female budgie must have the appearance of a lacewing. However, males are not required to be visually lacewing. If the male budgie is split for the cinnamon or ino genes, it is sufficient.
- Lacewing male x Lacewing female= 50% Lacewing males and 50% Lacewing female
- Lacewing male x normal female= 50% normal/Lacewing males and 50% Lacewing hens
- Normal male x Lacewing female= 50% normal/Lacewing males and 50% normal females
- Normal/Lacewing male x Lacewing female = 25% Lacewing males, 25% normal/Lacewing males, 25% Lacewing females, and 25% normal females
- Normal/Lacewing male x normal female= 25% normal males, 25% normal/Lacewing males, 25% Lacewing females, and 25% normal females
Lacewing Budgie Varieties
- Yellow-based Lacewing Budgies
- Albino/white (white-based) Lacewing Budgies
- English Lacewing Budgies
- Blue, Grey, Violet Lacewing Budgies
Caring for Lacewing Budgies
When it comes to taking care of Lacewing Budgies, there are several important things to consider. First, they need a spacious environment with plenty of space to fly around and explore.
A cage with at least two feet of horizontal space and one foot of vertical space is recommended. The cage should also be lined with newspaper or a cage liner to provide them with a comfortable place to rest.
It is also important to provide them with plenty of toys, such as ladders and swings, to keep them active and entertained. Additionally, perches should be provided for them to rest on as well as toys to help them exercise and keep their minds active.
In terms of food, Lacewing Budgies should be given a quality seed mix that is high in protein. Fruits and vegetables can also be offered as an occasional treat.
It is important to remove any uneaten fruit or vegetable after a few hours as uneaten food can spoil very quickly. It is important to also provide Lacewing Budgies with plenty of fresh water, preferably filtered.
The water should be changed daily to ensure that it remains clean and free of bacteria. Finally, it is important to provide regular vet care for Lacewing Budgies.
Regular check-ups can help to spot any potential health problems before they become serious. Additionally, regular grooming and nail trimming are recommended to keep their wings and feathers in top shape.
From you can get Lacewing Budgies
The lacewing budgie is a rare and expensive mutation. Nevertheless, you can purchase lacewing budgies online for a price of $150-$400.
Just ensure that you verify the credibility of the breeder and that the lacewing budgie is in good health before making a purchase. Additionally, keep in mind that these budgies are attention seekers and require a sufficient amount of time to settle in.
Therefore, you should be prepared to devote a substantial amount of time each day to making these birds happy.
