Description:
Wildtype is the natural color of button quail, also called Chinese Painted Quail or Coturnix Chinesis (1)(2). It is what you get if you strip away any other genes or mutations, and thus will always breed true.
Males will have a brown and black patterned back with yellow shafting. They will have blue starting at the face and extending through the front, stomach, and vent of the bird. The breast will be a reddish orange color, and the face on the males is a striking black and white "bib" of stripes through and under the beak.
Females will be mostly brown, with a lighter tan undercolor and black barring through the breast. Their face will be a light cream color with black markings, and a possible faint bib, but no white or blue that is found in the males.
Descriptions based off of photos in the papers listed below.
Wildtype x Wildtype = 100% Wildtype
Wildtype x Recessive gene = 100% Carriers (appears wildtype)
Wildtype x Dominant gene = 100% het. Dominant Gene
References & Further Reading
Araguas, R. M., Sanz, N., Viñas, J., & Vidal, O. (2018). MC 1R polymorphism associated with plumage color variations in Coturnix chinensis. Animal genetics, 49(5), 475-477.
Nakamura, Yoshiaki, Yoshifumi Nakane, and Masaoki Tsudzuki. "Developmental stages of the blue‐breasted quail (Coturnix chinensis)." Animal Science Journal 90.1 (2019): 35-48.
Gallery of Images
