Designing: Plumage

Created: 18 January 2022, 06:52:07 UTC
Last updated: 5 October 2023, 04:08:49 UTC

Plumage

Examples

Basics

  • Plumage is a freeform accent gene meant to reproduce small patches of colored feathers on many types of bird.
  • In your ketucari’s genotype, plumage is represented by “nPg” (heterozygous) or “PgPg” (homozygous)
  • In its heterozygous form, plumage has a passrate of 55%. Homozygous plumage has a passrate of 80%

Color and Shape

Plumage is a small accent gene that can appear anywhere in the feathered areas of a ketucari. However, it should create patches of color rather than patterns. Plumage can use up to two colors, and may be any color. Plumage can be hard-edged, soft-edged, or fully blended out.

 

For instance, plumage could be used to color the head of a ketucari and the throat, or add a patch of color on the top of the head and the tail. Care should be taken to make sure it does not closely mimic hued or dusky points or frill-- a good way to do this is to ensure that the plumage occupies areas outside of the range of those markings.

 

Some of the real-life bird markings this gene is meant to replicate are shown below. Please note that you do not have to reference any real-life bird! These are shown for inspiration only.

The yellow “cape” on this Japanese tit (Parus minor).
( By Alpsdake - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30902134 )

 

The red face and chest of this house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)
( By John Benson from Madison WI - Another House FinchUploaded by snowmanradio, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18690313 )

 

The distinctive orange-brown cheek patch of this zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
( By Jim Bendon from Karratha, Australia - cutie_1Uploaded by snowmanradio, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20504641 )

The yellow crown, shoulder, and rear patches on these yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata)
( By Paul VanDerWerf from Brunswick, Maine, USA - A Crowd, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70781642 )

All images Creative Commons licensed via Wikimedia Commons, photography credits: (1) Alpsdrake @ Wikipedia, (2) John Benson, (3) Jim Bendon, (4) Paul VanDerWerf

This design shows Plumage in combination with other genes- a highly contrasting color was chosen to make it visible against the frill and hued points. The light pink/purple color is the plumage, accented with a darker pink/purple. Here it colors the cheeks, accents the frill, underlays the Lampworked on the tail, and colors the very tips of the front paws. 

Range 

Standard


Ryno


Danuoc

While plumage can appear anywhere in the feathered areas of a ketucari, it should not cover more than 30% of the total body area.

(Note re: other feather types: Plumage can affect the entire length of the tail and entire span of the neck, chest, and underbelly on Phoenix, Silkie, and Frizzle feathers, on all currently released builds) 

Interaction with Other Markings

  • All markings may be layered under or over plumage.
  • Plumage can alter the color of other markings layered over it.
  • Plumage can optionally use a third color that is taken from another colored marking on the ketucari, such as hued points, filigree, frill, or display.

Accents

  • Plumage may have a subtle gradient and fade into the base coat.