Aqua Mutation in Lovebirds:
A Breeder's Complete Guide

A lot of breeders are still confused about the Aqua mutation. I first wrote this guide as a Facebook post to explain Aqua as simply and clearly as I could, from a working breeder's point of view. It helped enough people that I am putting it here in full, now with a button on every pairing so you can open it live in the Lovebird Genetics Calculator and check it for your own birds. Every percentage below has been re-checked against that engine. For the deeper genetics see the Aqua Lovebird Genetics guide, and for every Aqua and Blue cross in one reference, the Lovebird Pairing Outcomes page.

Part 1: Aqua basics you need first

Get these seven points right and about 70% of Aqua confusion disappears:

• Aqua is a co-dominant mutation.
• Aqua has three base forms: Aqua B1, Aqua B2, and Aqua Homo (Homozygote).
• Aqua is a mutation of the Blue series.
• Aqua never splits inside the Blue series.
• Aqua only behaves like a Blue-type split when it goes into the Green series.
• Aqua Homo behaves genetically just like Blue 2 (but it is a different mutation).
• Aqua is always visible over a Blue gene.

Part 2: Aqua gene structure

Every bird carries two genes at the blue locus (50% from each parent):

• Parblue = B1 + B2
• Blue 1 = B1 + B1
• Blue 2 = B2 + B2
• Aqua B1 = Aqua + B1
• Aqua B2 = Aqua + B2
• Aqua Homo = Aqua + Aqua

Aqua Homo's genetic behaviour mirrors Blue 2, but as a mutation Aqua and Blue are separate.

Part 3: Aqua pairings and expected results

Every result here was generated by the calculator engine. Tap any button to open and adjust it.

Part 4: Aqua in the Green series (the confusing part)

This is where most breeders get lost. In the Green series Aqua is not visible, it sits hidden as a split, but the gene is still active and passes on.

Part 5: Aqua with other mutations

Aqua combines with four other mutations, and each one stacks onto all three Aqua bases (B1, B2, Homo), giving twelve Aqua combinations in total:

• NSL Ino (non sex-linked): Aqua B1 / Ino, Aqua B2 / Ino (Aqua + Ino is also called Creamino)
• Dilute: Aqua B1 / Dilute, Aqua B2 / Dilute
• Pale Fallow: Aqua B1 / Pale Fallow, Aqua B2 / Pale Fallow
• Dun Fallow: Aqua B1 / Dun Fallow, Aqua B2 / Dun Fallow

Pick whichever mutation you like and build your Aqua line into it.

Part 6: Producing 100% Aqua babies

If your target is a full clutch of Aqua chicks every time, you must pair from an Aqua Homo:

If this clears up Aqua for even a few breeders, then writing it was worth it. Open the Lovebird Genetics Calculator to run any pairing of your own.

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