FAQ: can a green bird be split for “sapphire”?
For a start, it is good to realize that *sapphire* is NOT a basic mutation (SNP – mutation created by a single-nucleotide polymorphism), but it is a phenotype created by crossing-over between blue1 and blue2 (blue1-blue2). Due that crossing-over blue1 and blue2 are combined on the same gene.
So that means that a green bird indeed can be heterozygote (split) for the crossing-over combination of blue1-blue2 (sapphire phenotype), but there is always the possibility of a recombination. In that case, the bird will be again heterozygote (split) for or blue1 or heterozygote (split) for blue2. Keep in mind that the crossing-over change between blue1 and blue2 is very little, so the change on a recombination is also very limited.
For more info please consult: https://www.ogvzw.org/in-search-of-the-genetic-background-of-sapphire-agapornis-fischeri/
