Question about red factor

[Barbara2]

When Neo came to us he had what looked like a red mark all the way down one toe on his left foot. At first I thought he had somehow scraped his foot but the red didn't darken any like a scrape would. It stayed the same red. Then I thought maybe the seller had used a red marker to mark him in some way to designate him from the other birds. That didn't really make sense either since he is banded and the band would designate him. I'm now wondering if it's possible that he has a red toe to go with his red tail. He has been with us since September 28th and the toe is still red. Has anyone ever heard of a grey with a red toe before?

Edited November 8, 2010 by Barbara2

[Barbara2]

Here is a picture of the red toe:

 

[Birdnut]

Barbara, that's interesting. I think I have seen where greys with red factor can also have red toes or nails. Does Neo have any other unusual red in his feathers?

 

My Moussa has a pale, salmon-colored red on the tips of the feathers around his legs. I think it's called "grizzling."

[Barbara2]

He does have a spattering of red on his body under his wings. (That one will be a lot harder to get a picture of since I never know when he is going to raise his wings and he doesn't like me doing it for him.)

[Birdnut]

He's probably got a touch of red factor then. Red feathers can sometime indicate health issues, but with his red toe, I would think that what you're seeing is some evidence of red factor.

[Azzie]

Could it be a birthmark? A slight overgrowth of bloodvessels causing it to appear like that?

[Barbara2]

I thought about a birthmark as well (since my granddaughters have them) but didn't know if birds got birth marks since they incubate inside an egg. I hadn't thought about blood vessels. That's why I bring these questions here because I know that there are so many with great information and ideas!

[judygram]

That is interesting how that one toe has that red streak and it could be due to the red factor pigmentation, maybe one of our experts with chime in with their opinion, at least you can identify him if he was in a group of greys.

[Luvparrots]

Looks like a pomegranate stain to me!! Quite interesting!!!!!

[Barbara2]

I'm still not ruling out that someone marked him with a red marker but I can imagine a reputable breeder doing that because the ink would be toxic. Also I would think after over a month it would have worn off by now.

[Barbara2]

Another question only because I don't know. In this picture that I took when Neo first came home he has the bright red on his upper tail feathers. I didn't think TAGs had the bright red. Is this normal for a baby TAG?