Hybrid birds versus mutations

[Abaleesha]

Just thought needed to clear up exactly what a hybrid bird is versus a mutation.

The biological meaning of a hybrid is the offspring resulting from the cross breeding of different plants or animals.  For example in the large macaws. The Catalina is a cross between a blue and gold and a scarlet. The Harlequin is a blue and gold crossed with a green wing. Whilst they are part of the Ara family they are still different species. The blue and gold - Ara araruna, the scarlet - Ara macao, the greenwing - Ara chloroptera. Whilst hybridization has become almost acceptable in these large macaws it doesn’t always work when crossing completely different species. I’ve seen some awful results when birds who would naturally occur on different continents are crossed.

Mutations are within the species. They occur due to the gene sequencing. Certain mutations are encouraged and developed as has happened with the cockatiels and budgies giving us a vast assortment of colours and patterns. Mutations do occur in the wild naturally too. It must be remembered that mutations do have a weakening in the gene sequence that caused the mutation in the first place.

Now we could sit here for hours arguing over the ethics and dilemmas of planned hybrid breeding and weakening the natural genes with mutations. That’s not what this thread is about. It’s to clear up any confusion people may have between hybrids and mutations.

Simply put hybrids are a cross between 2 different birds creating a new species. A mutation is a difference in colour, patterning or feather formation in the individual species.

[CJ]

Are the hybrid offspring sterile? 

[Abaleesha]

I'm not sure to be honest. Let me get back to that one. My gut feeling is that it depends on how far you've gone out of the basic family.

[Abaleesha]

ok the hybrid macaws can reproduce. What you get is a classification system of 1st generation, 2nd generation and so on.
This site gives more info on the macaw hybrids.
http://camelot-macaws.com/directory.htm

[Tielygirl]

thats pretty cool abaleesha! I have also heard of an Emerald macaw (hybrid). I am pretty sure its a cross between a hyacinth macaw and an buffons. Its a very beautiful bird.

[liadin]

Very clear and concise - Thank you!

[D.brota]

Im considering building a hot rod and was thinking of dropping in a Lexus V8 hybrid How would you go about doing this ? Thanks

[Flyer]

well I would scratch the lexus engine and go with the ford SHO