Red Breasted

The Red Breasted gene causes button quail to have much darker plumage in the males, and much lighter plumage in the females. It is one of the few button genes to be studied in the lab, and the gene, locus, and allele of the recessive mutation has been confirmed (1). This work has helped to narrow down loci of other genes in button quail, including the Golden Pearl mutation, which is suspected to be on the same locus (2).

In males, the red breasted gene causes the bird to be a dark blue across the body and back, covering up the patterning. It turns the breast into a deep russet color, and a messier, dark face (1). In some lines of Red Breasted, the face will be entirely black. This has been nicknamed the "Darth Vader" mutation (3). It was originally believed that the "Darth Vader" was a separate mutation from the Red Breasted, but since has been proven that they were the same mutation, just selectively bred for more black across the face and deeper red breasts (3).

In the females, the bird turns a much lighter, pale cream through the neck, breast, and back. The deep wildtype markings turn into black "v" shaped marks across a majority of the feathers. The face also turns lighter, and females will have a bit of a black chinstrap, though not the striking bib that males develop. (1). With the "Darth Vader" lines of Red Breasted, the hens will be even lighter and less marked then the typical Red Breasted.

In both forms, there has been no correlation to size or other factors with the mutation. (1). More reference photos are needed for Red Breasted on wildtype, Darth Vader lines, and with combinations to any of the other mutations.

Breeding with Red Breasted:

Red Breasted x Red Breasted = 100% Red Breasted

Red Breasted x Wildtype = 100% Red Breasted Carriers (RBC)

Red Breasted x RBC = 50% Red Breasted, 50% RBC

RBC x RBC = 25% Red Breasted, 50% RBC, 25% Wildtype

RBC x Wildtype = 50% RBC, 50% Wildtype