Spangle Budgies (Complete Information)

Last Updated on April 26, 2022 by Ali Shahid

It’s no surprise that Budgies are one of the cutest and most popular pet birds worldwide. What makes them so fascinating are the different variations they come in. One of the most popular genetic varieties is the Spangle Budgie.

Spangle budgies have a pied mutation, which causes the pigment to be removed from different parts of the body. In case it is a double-factor spangle, you can expect it to have one solid color rather than a pattern. When it is a single-factor spangle, the patterning will have the normal patterning, but the color will be inverted, especially on the wings and head area

Spangle Budgies

It is now time for us to sit down and start discussing all the interesting features of spangle budgies. If you are fond of spangle budgies, we would love to have you stay with us.

Physical Appearance of Spangle Budgies

With the one-factor Spangle, the spots on the throat and the tail feathers in addition to the wings and tail have been altered. It is often described as having reverse markings on the wings, with a black edge and a yellow or white center, and as having the opposite of the normal pattern.

Many of the throat spots are absent or incomplete. However, when they do appear, they tend to resemble targets with yellow or white centers. There are many variations in the tail feathers, such as a thin line on the edge just like the wings, or simply white or yellow.

A double factor Spangle is a bird of white or yellow coloration, though sometimes with a slight indication of something else in the colors. A Spangle has a normal dark iris ring with a white iris ring, and a normal color ceres with a darker colored ring around it.

The feet and legs of these Spangles appear either gray or fleshy pink depending on the factor. As a single factor Spangle, its cheeks will be purple or silvery-white (or a mixture of both), whereas a double factor Spangle will have silver patches.

Variation in Spangle Budgies

It is possible to mix Spangle Budgies with all the other varietals to create many beautiful mixes. It is not uncommon for spangle opalines to appear in a wide variety of patterns and colors.

Over the head and shoulders, the markings have been reduced, and the body color has been retained on the wings. Opaline has both a regular Skyblue and a Cobalt Spangle. They have lost some of their markings and have a good amount of Cobalt on their wings. As with Spangle Opalines, it is quite common for the markings to be turned into body color rather than black.

Genetics of Spangle Budgies

There is a possibility that the genes for Spangle may vary from individual to individual. There are three types of spangles, the Non-spangle (Normal), the Single Factor Spangle, and the Double Factor Spangle.

These three types of spangles can all be inherited as follows:

A Cross between Normal and Single Factor Spangle results in 50%Normal and 50% Single Factor Spangle.
When we cross a Single Factor Spangle with Single Factor Spangle, it results in, a 25% Normal, 50% Single Factor Spangle, and 25% Double Factor Spangle.
While a cross between Single Factor Spangle with Double Factor Spangle, produces, 50% Single Factor Spangle, and 50% Double Factor Spangle.
If we cross a Double Factor Spangle with Double Factor Spangle it will result in a 100% Double Factor Spangle.

Despite looking simple on paper, the Spangle genetics can behave in a very complex way when it is tested in reality. This would seem to mean that there is still more to discover when it comes to Spangle inheritance, which makes it all the more enjoyable!

How To Breed Spangle Budgies

To create spangle budgie chicks you don’t have to pair two spangle budgies together. Your normal budgie can be paired with either a single-factor budgie or a double-factor budgie. It is still possible to pass on the gene to the offspring. Here are some tips and advice that could help you:

Age Requirements

The best time for you to purchase a spangle budgie is when she is just starting to lay her eggs. This is usually between 1 to 3 years for a female spangle. For male spangles, it can sometimes take as long as 6 years. University of Idaho researchers have concluded that the fertility of female budgies declines as they grow older.

Monitor The Parents

Because spangled budgies are a result of a mutation in the gene, there can never be a complete guarantee that each clutch will produce spangled budgies. You will need to do everything you can to hatch more eggs than you can imagine. Furthermore, as budgies become more confident parents as they gain experience, you’ll have to supervise them closely as they are more likely to break and throw away eggs.

Compatibility

It’s important to remember that Budgies do not mate simply because they are in the same cage. Some budgies will not get along with each other due to their personalities.

Breeders are however not going to be able to reproduce a spangle budgie if they have only one of them and do not have other birds to cross. Giving your budgies more space, and providing them with plenty of food and toys, will help encourage them to get along.

According to a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, allowing budgies to roam freely will lead to fewer conflicts between them. When the pair does not connect well, you might try getting another ordinary budgie to see if the spangle prefers the company of another bird.

Author

Ali Shahid

Ali Shahid is a veterinarian by profession and an animal lover. He loves to give expert opinions about different animals. He has worked in top organization of birds like Bigbird Feed and Poultry Research institute. He loves birds, especially parrots and has great experience in different parrot farms.
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