Melopsittacus undulatus pigmentation trait mapping. Melopsittacus undulatus

Budgerigars exhibit several Mendelian feather color traits, one of which, the blue trait, abolishes yellow pigmentation. These feather pigments, called psittacofulvins, are only found in the parrot family. The purpose of this study is to discover the genetic and biochemical mechanisms that control psittacofulvin pigmentation.