When observed in captivity, the white spots appeared first, beginning at the flank, with the red ear as the last characteristic to emerge. The vermicular bars of the adult plumage are absent at the nape and crown, and are more subdued on the rest of the upper parts.
In a captive setting, the white markings were the first to appear, beginning at the shoulder area, followed by the development of the red ear. In contrast, the stripes on an adult's plumage are muted or absent from the top of the head and back.