Hi Derek,
Looks like you and I are in the same boat, I just got up too early to do my Santa duties! In my experience, band coloration is more hinged on genetics than on locality. I have hatched bright red, deep black, and russet brown babies all from the same clutch several times. Below are two photos from a clutch hatched three years ago. The dad is red and the mom is black.


I think that locality does indeed have something to do with Aussie BHPs, but U.S. blackies have been criss-crossed around so much that I am just very cautious assigning locale terms to animals we see here. Derek Roddy is doing some interesting ork with locality animals and he may chime in if he catches this post.
As for your second question, the hypo gene expressed itself has loudly different than the nicest reds. There will be very reduced or no black on the top of the back where the bands cross the spine. The dark pigment on the tail will be more of a purple color. The eyes are often lighter and youcan see the pupil fairly well. Many that I have seen also display some patchiness of the chin and throat area with red and/or white patches in the dark hood. Also, in good lighting, the hood will not be as dark as normal when held side-by-side with other animals. Finally, the belly is often crystal clear and devoid of markings or smudging. All of these are variable, of course, but you get the general idea. Here are some that we feel will prove to be hypo in time.




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Matt & Nicci Turner
www.selectiveorigins.com

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