Modena Genetic Traits for Colour

• Gazzi is an autosomal recessive mutation. This means that both parents need to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. As a recessive mutation, it is possible for this mutation to be carried by a bird who does not visually express it.

• Dirty (Smokey) is an autosomal dominant mutation. This means that only one parent of either sex needs to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. Unless it is hidden by another modifier, a pigeon not expressing this trait will not pass it onto its children.

• Sooty (Pencil) pigeons appear similar to wild type in the nest, but during their first moult they grow more dark feathers on the wing shield, giving a "sooty" effect. Racing pigeon breeders often call the sooty phenotype "pencil", however it is unrelated to the mutant gene called pencil.

• Spread is an autosomal dominant mutation. This means that only one parent of either sex needs to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. Unless it is hidden by another modifier, a pigeon not expressing this trait will not pass it onto its children.

• Recessive Opal is an autosomal recessive mutation. This means that both parents need to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. As a recessive mutation, it is possible for this trait to be carried by a bird who does not visually express it.

• Kite is an autosomal dominant mutation. This means that only one parent of either sex needs to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. Unless it is hidden by another modifier, a pigeon not expressing this trait will not pass it onto its children.

• Indigo is an autosomal dominant mutation. This means that only one parent of either sex needs to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. Unless it is hidden by another modifier, a pigeon not expressing this trait will not pass it onto its children.

• Ice is an autosomal dominant mutation. This means that only one parent of either sex needs to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. Unless it is hidden by another modifier, a pigeon not expressing this trait will not pass it onto its children.

• Recessive Red is an autosomal recessive mutation. This means that both parents need to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. As a recessive mutation, it is possible for this mutation to be carried by a bird who does not visually express it.

• Dilute is an allele at the d locus. This mutation is sex linked and recessive to wild type.