Pansy

Pansy is a pattern modifier gene that is most commonly seen on pharaoh. It was originally classified as recessive when it was first discovered in 1979 (2), but a faint heterozygous phenotype is noted by breeders. There are a few studies that suggest that Pansy is actually a separate mutation from Redhead or Ropftkof all together (3), however in public hands they are often considered one and the same. This gene is often confused with American Pansy, a similar but separate gene on the same locus.

Pansy is proven to be on the EB locus, and has a gene symbol of ps. The order of dominance is Extended Brown (EB) > Sparkly > Wildtype> American Pansy > Redhead, if Redhead is counted as a separate mutation.

In homozygous form, Pansy will have a white or light yellow base color, with black blotches on the majority of each feather. There may be some red on each feather as well. The males will have a deep red face, while the females will have two black stripes through the cheek similar to pharaoh. In studies, Pansy is said to have white feathers towards the base and shaft, and becomes darker towards the tip. Redhead or Roptkoft feathers will be reverse, with dark towards the center of the feather and light tipping. (4) It is unknown if this is because of natural variation or they are simply two separate genes on the same locus with the same inheritance (4). More research needs to be done to see how Pansy interacts with other mutations, including Fawn.

In heterozygous form, the bird will have slightly more barring and a "blotchier", more rounded look to the patterning. It is very hard to see in heterozygous form. The heterozygous form has not been studied on fawn.

Breeding with Pansy:

Because Pansy is so hard to see in heterozygous form, it is classified as het. Pansy here while homozygous Pansy is just referred to as Pansy.

Pansy x Pansy = 100% Pansy

(ps/ps x ps/ps = 100% ps/ps)

Pansy x Wildtype = 100% het. Pansy

(ps/ps x ps+/ps+ = 100% ps/ps+)

Pansy x het. Pansy = 50% het. Pansy, 50% Pansy

(ps/ps x ps/ps+ = 50% ps/ps+, 50% ps/ps)

Het. Pansy x Het. Pansy = 25% Wildtype, 50% het. Pansy, 25% Pansy

(ps/ps+ x ps/ps+ = 25% ps+/ps+, 50% ps/ps+, 25% ps/ps)

Het. Pansy x Wildtype = 50% Het. Pansy, 50% Wildtype

(ps/ps+ x ps+/ps+ = 50% ps/ps+, 50% ps+/ps+)

For more information about breeding with this kind of gene, including tips and tricks and a full explanation of how these results were calculated, please see here.