Aviary Journal

April 2026 — Seafoam Pairing Update

The Seafoam Clearwing × Seafoam Clearwing pairing was set up this season specifically to study chick outcomes and better understand whether the parent birds are SF or DF for the Whitecap/Seafoam factor. First clutch produced a mix of green, blue, and seafoam-type chicks — the SF/DF split of the parent birds is now under closer review based on these results.

A Visual Fallow chick appeared unexpectedly in this clutch, confirming both parents carry the Fallow gene as a split. Both parents will be updated to Proven Split Fallow in the breeding records — a good example of why chick results matter.

May 2026 — Season Overview

The 2026 breeding season is well underway. Nest boxes have been active since late autumn and the first round of chicks from several key pairings have now fledged or are approaching fledging age.

This season the main focus areas are: consolidating the Amethyst Clearwing line (particularly tracking Cinnamon and Violet factor depth across clutches), progressing the Red Violet project with a DF Violet Mauve × Sky Blue Clearwing pairing, and continuing to document Seafoam Clearwing chick outcomes to better understand Whitecap/SF versus DF expression in this line.

The Violet Rainbow pair has also produced their first clutch of the season — colour development in pin feathers underway and looking promising.

June 2026 — Amethyst Clutch Watch

The Mauve Amethyst Clearwing × Amethyst Clearwing pairing produced five eggs, with four hatching successfully. Early pin feather development is showing the characteristic warm violet tone in three chicks — the fourth is tracking darker and may be sitting on a Mauve base rather than Cobalt, which would be a useful addition to the deep-colour line.

Cinnamon status in this clutch will only be confirmed once chicks moult through properly, but eye colour development at this stage is consistent with Cinnamon influence in at least two of the four chicks. Records are being updated as chicks develop.

Season Goals — What We Are Watching For

Amethyst line: Tracking whether chick eye colour and body warmth confirm Cinnamon in each individual. Looking for depth of Violet factor across Cobalt vs Mauve base clutches.

Red Violet project: Monitoring chick base colours from DF Violet Mauve × Sky Blue Clearwing pairing over multiple clutches to track SF vs DF Violet outcomes.

Seafoam line: Following up the unexpected Fallow chick result. Planning a test pairing to confirm the Fallow split status across the broader Seafoam line.

Violet Rainbow: Documenting chick colour progression from pin feathers through first moult. Photos planned at fledging and again after moult.

2025 Season Wrap-Up

The 2025 season was primarily a consolidation year for the Mauve Violet and Red Violet lines. The strongest result was a pair of deep Mauve Violet Clearwing cocks that are now being held back as future breeders. Both birds showed strong violet depth over a Mauve base, clean Heritage Clearwing wing contrast and the heavier, richer body colour needed for future Violet Mauve and Red Violet project work.

A key lesson from 2025: two birds sold as proven DF Violet could not be confirmed by chick results — both are now recorded as suspected SF Violet until further breeding evidence is available. The Mauve Violet birds will be used carefully in test pairings so their Violet factor strength, dark factor inheritance and usefulness in producing deeper Red Violet Clearwings can be recorded properly at Park Ridge.

Best Result of 2025

A Violet Seafoam Clearwing hen that produced outstanding wing clarity alongside strong body colour depth — the cleanest Seafoam wing contrast seen from the line to date. She has been retained and is one of the birds being paired in the 2026 season. Photos will be added to the Hall of Fame once properly documented.