Gouldian Finch - Gynandromorph

GOULDIAN FINCH
ERYTHRURA GOULDIAE

MODIFICATIONS

HALF-SIDER - GYNANDROMORPH

In both photos we see the same bird.
Left: On the left side we can see his masculine side
Right: On the right side her feminine side.

Remark the difference of the colour density in the red head, the bleu ring and the yellow abdomen.

Here we have another photo of the head

These birds are often considered as “Half-Siders”.
However the birds in the photos are more, they are gynandromorphs.

Half-Siders are bi-coloured symmetric birds of the same sexe. (male or female)
On the other hand, gynandromorphs have a masculine and a feminine side.

Half-Siders can be fertile, but Gynandromorphs are always infertile as they are not completely developed internally as male or female.
This means they cannot breed and they are no more than a freak of nature.

The name “Gynandromorph” comes from the Greek “gyne” which means female and “andros” meaning male.

Here we have another example of a gynandromorph.

The bird in these pictures is clearly seen to be “Yellow Head” on one side and “Black Head” on the other.
At the same time the yellow head side is masculine and the black head is feminine - which can be seen by the breast colour.

Gynandromorphs can be found in all combinations of head colours and all the different mutations.

Here we have a good example of a Half-Sider

As you can see in these tree photos the bird is a BH WB BL male and on the other side he is a BH WB GR male.