FIRST RECORD OF A CYANISTIC (BLUE) PLUMAGE ABNORMALITY IN ORANGE-FRONTED PARAKEETS EUPSITTULA CANICULARIS IN MEXICO

Abstract

Pigmentary coloration in bird plumage involves several pigment types. In addition, Psittacidae species  (parrots and allied) synthetize their own yellow pigment, psittacin (psittacofulvin), which is normally present in green feathers. The inability to synthetize psittacine, due to a gene mutation, results in a cyanistic —or blue— plumage phenotype. We present the first record of a cyanistic (blue) abnormality in the plumage of the Orange-fronted Parakeet Eupsittula canicularis in Mexico. Two young blue parakeets were removed from their nest in 2023 and kept as pets. Both birds lacked the typical green coloration and displayed extensive blue plumage on the entire body. The frequency of psittacin mutations in wild Psittacidae populations is unknown, but the alleles involved must be quite rare. Further studies are needed to understand the biology and ecology of the species in relation to possible population declines that could potentially increase the homozygous frequency for the recessive blue allele.