Budgerigar Color Mutations

The exact science of budgie color genetics deals with the different mutations and how hereditary they are. These mutations cause the different feahters to change color in the birds when they breed. For example, in the wild, Budgies are normally called "lightgreen" as they contain a black type melanin called eumelanin as well as a basic yellow pigment called psittacofulvin. Other parrot species produce different advanced-psittacin that gives them the ability to produce different colors such as oranges, pinks, reds, and even peaches. But, when these feathers are explosed to sunlight, only the blue part of the spectrum is reflected by their eumelanin granules. Since the blue light passes through the yellow layer of their pigmentations, it results in the lightgreen coloration that we know and love in parakeets.

Of course, there are tons of color mutations that have been bred into them in captivity. All of these fall into four major groups:

Albinism: this is where the eumelanin is partially or completely reduced in the body tissues and structures of the bird

Dilution: this is where the eumelanin is reduced only in their feathers

Leucism: this is where the eumelanin is completely reduced from total or localized feather patches

Melanism: this is where the eumelanin is increased in the feathers

Some of the more popular mutations of budgies colors include:

Dark: this is where they turn a dark green and cobalt blue or olive and mauve

Goldenfaced: this is where they have a golden sheen to their faces

Violet: this is where their feathers are a beautiful purple or violet color

Dilute: this is where they can be any different shade of yellow or white, or a suffused white

There are tons of different colors in between all of these different mutations and you will notice that the chicks you breed will all look different from each other, and normally different from the parents as well. So, don't get discouraged if your first brood doesn't have much in the way of looks or doesn't have any of the different mutations that you were hoping for. Each budgie is special in their own way and you will find that they will all grow up to be beautiful birds.