It is the intention of this presentation to explain the principles of genetics as applicable to the specifics of avian genetics. Genetics is a complex topic and genetic doctrine has many unique terms to describe various things and events. Throughout this presentation, these terms will be used and described. This approach will serve two purposes. First, to provide an accurate description and second, to indoctrinate the beginner to the proper genetic terminology to help with further self study in this area.

I am immensely grateful to Dr. William D. Stansfield for his help and review with most of the information I will discuss in this presentation.  Any errors in this presentation remain solely my responsibility and upon notification and verification will be promptly corrected.  I hope you find the following information useful and if you have information which would be beneficial to this page, please email me at cabinsoft@adelphia.net.

Alan D. Mason
B.S. Zoology/Microbiology (1978)
University of Massachusetts, Amherst

This presentation addresses the following topics:

The Bird Tracker software program will automatically calculate for five of the topics addressed in this tutorial, which are:

• Sex-Linked Genes


• Autosomal Genes


• Sex-Linked and Autosomal Gene Combinations


• Multiple Autosomal Combinations


• Linkage and Crossover (sex-linked only)