Pansy

Pansy is a pattern modifier gene that is most commonly seen on pharaoh. It was originally classified as recessive (2), but a faint heterozygous phenotype was found in backyard breeders, and it is now believed to be incomplete dominant (see referenced pictures). There are a few studies that suggest that Pansy is actually a separate mutation from Redhead or Ropftkof all together (3), however in public hands they are often considered one and the same. There are now backyard breeders working with "American Pansy", a potentially separate gene or the same Pansy gene but on a different base pattern. Pansy is proven to be on the EB locus, and it is less dominant to EB/Autosomal Black but more dominant that wildtype. (Order of dominance: EB/Autosomal Black > Wildtype > Pansy) (4).

In homozygous form, Pansy will have a white or light yellow base color, with black blotches on the majority of each feather. There may be some red on each feather as well. The males will have a deep red face, while the females will have two black stripes through the cheek similar to pharaoh. In studies, Pansy is said to have white feathers towards the base and shaft, and becomes darker towards the tip. Redhead or Roptkoft feathers will be reverse, with dark towards the center of the feather and light tipping. (4) It is unknown if this is because of natural variation or they are simply two separate genes on the same locus with the same inheritance (4). More research needs to be done to see how Pansy interacts with other mutations, including Fawn.

In heterozygous form, the bird will have slightly more barring and a "blotchier", more rounded look to the patterning. It is very hard to see in heterozygous form. The heterozygous form has not been studied on fawn.

Het. Pansy rooster -- notice the additional barring through each feather when compared to Pharaoh.

Breeding with Pansy:

Because Pansy is so hard to see in heterozygous form, it is classified as het. Pansy here while homozygous Pansy is just referred to as Pansy.

Pansy x Pansy = 100% Pansy

Pansy x Wildtype = 100% het. Pansy

Pansy x het. Pansy = 50% het. Pansy, 50% Pansy

Het. Pansy x Het. Pansy = 25% Wildtype, 50% het. Pansy, 25% Pansy

Het. Pansy x Wildtype = 50% Pansy, 50% Wildtype

For more information about breeding with this kind of gene, including tips and tricks and a full explanation of how these results were calculated, please see here.