The common pet parakeet, scientifically known as the Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), is an Australian parrot that exists in a dazzling array of colors far beyond its natural state. While the wild species has a single, definitive coloration, decades of selective breeding have introduced numerous genetic mutations. These color changes occur because mutations affect the two primary pigments responsible for the bird’s coloration: the black pigment (eumelanin) and the yellow pigment (psittacofulvin).
The Natural Color of Parakeets
The original wild-type parakeet is defined by its vibrant green and yellow plumage. The bird’s body is a bright, light green, while its face is distinctively yellow. This coloration is a product of two pigments: the yellow psittacofulvin pigment and the structural blue light reflected by the black eumelanin granules, which combine to create green.
The wings and back feature characteristic black, scalloped markings, also known as undulations. These markings are black due to the concentration of eumelanin pigment in the feather edges. This natural coloration provides effective camouflage against the eucalyptus trees and dry scrubland grasses of the bird’s native Australian habitat.
Primary Color Mutations in Captivity
The vast spectrum of parakeet colors arose from genetic mutations that altered the bird’s natural pigments. The most fundamental change occurred with the Blue Series, which entirely eliminates the yellow psittacofulvin pigment. Without the yellow pigment to mix with the structural blue, the bird’s body appears sky blue, cobalt, or mauve, depending on the presence of a “dark factor” gene.
Other primary mutations involve the complete removal of the black eumelanin pigment. The Lutino mutation removes all black pigment, resulting in a pure yellow bird with red eyes. The Albino mutation removes all eumelanin in a blue-series bird, yielding a pure white bird with red eyes. Both Lutino and Albino birds are referred to as “ino” mutations and are sensitive to bright light due to the lack of pigment in their eyes.
The Grey and Violet mutations act as additive factors, deepening the overall color. The Grey mutation adds a grey wash over the green or blue base color, resulting in olive green or battleship grey birds. The Violet factor intensifies the blue color, producing a rich, deep violet-blue shade.
Understanding Parakeet Color Patterns
Color patterns are distinct from base colors, as they dictate the distribution of the pigments rather than their type or amount. The Pied patterns are a common example, characterized by random patches of clear color (yellow or white) breaking up the body color and markings. A Dominant Pied parakeet will have large, irregular patches of clear feathers, while the Recessive Pied can have a more mottled appearance with clear wings and a lack of dark eyes.
Another prominent pattern is the Spangle mutation, which reverses the normal black wing markings. The Spangle bird has wing feathers that are light with a thin black edge, creating a cleaner, more defined look. The Opaline pattern reduces the black markings on the head and neck, allowing the body color to wash over the nape and shoulders. The Clearwing and Dilute mutations lighten the overall eumelanin, affecting the intensity of the black markings and body color.
Color Clues for Age and Sex
Beyond aesthetics, color provides important clues for identifying a parakeet’s age and sex. Juvenile parakeets, regardless of their color mutation, display distinct black barring that extends from the top of their head down to the cere, the fleshy area above the beak. This barring disappears after the first molt, usually around three to four months of age, leaving a clear, colored forehead.
The color of the cere is the primary visual indicator of sex in mature parakeets. Adult males of the normal color varieties typically have a bright, deep royal blue cere. Adult females, in contrast, will have a tan, white, or crusty brown cere, especially when in breeding condition. However, males with certain mutations, such as Albino or Recessive Pied, retain a purplish-pink cere throughout their lives, making visual sexing more challenging.