Color Variations In Cockatiels
Cockatiels do not have the bright vivid colors that other parrots boast. However, cockatiels have several color mutations that give each of them a unique look. Color mutations occur on three aspects of a cockatiel, which include the overall color of the bird, color of the face marking, and changes in the color and pattern on the bird. These color mutations are achieved through careful breeding of cockatiels. Being able to identify your own bird's mutation can be interesting and gives you more knowledge about your bird. Here is a closer look at the different color variations of your cockatiel's overall body.
There are several different types of color mutations that affect the overall color of the cockatiel. The most common is called normal grey. Normal grey is the color variation that is found on birds in the wild. A normal grey cockatiel is dark grey all over expect for a white stripe found on the wings of a male cockatiel. It also has a bright yellow face, yellow crest and orange cheek spot. A female is grey all over with a muted yellow face and orange spot. Females also have barring on their tail and lower body.
Cinnamon and fallow are two more kinds of color variations in cockatiels. These two are very similar to each other and are commonly mistaken for the other. Cinnamon cockatiels are a dusty silver with tints of brown in their feathers and have dark eyes. Fallow have the same overall color as cinnamon, but has a hint of yellow in the feathers. The main difference between cinnamon and fallow cockatiels are the eyes. Fallow has deep red eyes as opposed to dark brown or black eyes found in the cinnamon.
Lutino cockatiels are solid colors of white and yellow. Sometimes an all white lutino cockatiel is confused as being an albino cockatiel. However, albino cockatiels do not exist and the color variation name is confused along the way. Lutino cockatiels have red eyes with a bright yellow head and orange cheek spot. They also have barring underneath the wings and tail making it very difficult to determine sex.
Lastly, a silver cockatiel is a rather common variation, but its silvery grey color makes it appear unique and much different to the normal grey cockatiel. Depending on whether your bird is a dominant silver or recessive silver, it will have a varying shade of grey all over its body. Recessive silver cockatiels have red eyes as oppose to the dominant silvers that have dark eyes. Both of these cockatiel variations lack the orange patch on the cheek.
There are many different color variations in the cockatiel. It is amazing to see the different color schemes and patterns possible to the cockatiel. This should help you to be able to identify which variation your cockatiel shows.