MARKED PIED
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©Hein van Grouw

Just like Pied, MARKED PIED is autosomal recessive in inheritance, but  Marked Pied differs from it because in Marked Pied the pattern of colored & white feathers is always the same. Comparable mutations which yield a permanent pattern are common in pigeons. For example gazzi (z), magpie & bald head (Bh). This mutation is not yet in the US & very rare in Europe.

The increase of phaeomelanin in the pigmented feathers is also present in Marked Pied but the juvenile plumage is quite normal with hardly any grizzling effect & without the white pattern. 

General head, breast, belly and undertail coverts of a Marked Pied adult are white with hardly any colored feathers. Tail, rump, back, neck ring and wings are completely pigmented with the exception of some white feathers on the wing shield. Some deviation in this pattern is possible but the white wing mark is always present. 

The pattern of the Marked Pied may be controlled by one mutant gene but the perfect pattern is the result of this gene in combination with some modifying genes. Interaction of Marked Pied & other colors is possible. For example Rosy Marked Pied, Blond Marked Pied & Peach Marked Pied. It seems Marked Pied & normal Pied are allelic with complete dominance of Pied. However, further data about the genetic background of Marked Pied is being collected.

In France another kind of Marked Pied exists & it is known as "Californian". The appearance of a "Californian" is nearly the same as Marked Pied. The difference between the two are the absence of the white wing mark and the presence of  white primaries in the Californian.

pic courtesy of Julie in France

The above pic was identified by Hein van Grouw as a Californian.

More Marked Pieds by HvG

European Ringneck Colors