The adorable parakeet is the third most popular pet in the world, only behind dogs and cats. These avian creatures come in a lot of color variations and even look different from each other. As they’ve been domesticated and bred in captivity over the past few decades, there are now as many as 32 color mutations that have been created through selective breeding. We’ll be discussing the 6 main colors that are widely available from breeders and pet shops so you can choose the variation that’s best for your home.
Parakeet Colors Varieties
The most popular color variations of parakeets are green, blue, grey, purple, cinnamon, and rainbow. There are a lot more color mutations to choose from but they may be harder to find. Parakeets only have two different types; the traditional Parakeets and the English Parakeet. The Traditional ones originated in Australia while the English Parakeet is created through specific breeding programs to get a variety of amazing colors.
What are the varying parakeet colors to choose from?
Green – Green Parakeets are considered to be the most common among its wild population. This ideal color gives them an added advantage in the wild when hiding from their predators in green foliage. Green Parakeets come in varying shades from light, dark, to olive. These birds usually have a yellow stripe as well as six spots on the sides of their neck.
Blue – The blue colored Parakeets are less common than their green counterparts as this variation is based on a recessive gene. They come in three shades like sky blue, cobalt blue,and mauve. They also usually have a white mask, black or blue stripes with white edges, black spots, as well as blue to purple cheek markings. Blue Parakeets are harder to breed than other color variations because of their rare mutation, making them highly sought after by a lot of pet enthusiasts.
Grey – Grey Parakeets are similar to their blue cousins as they simply have lost their blue tint on most of their body. Their faces still have blue cheek patches but they now look bluish-grey in appearance. Their plumage is often embellished with other colors such as mauve or olive green while their tails are mostly turned black. Grey Parakeets come in light, medium, or dark shades, similar to Blue Parakeets.
Purple – Purple Parakeets are more expensive than others due to their rarity. This beautiful color variation originated at least a hundred years ago during the bird’s early history of captivity. These birds have a black mask as well as purple or black stripes with white trim and black spots. Their cheek markings tend to be in dark purple and the tail also comes in black. Like Grey Parakeets, Purple ones are considered a semi-dominant variety.
Cinnamon – Cinnamon Parakeets are another rare variation that’s prized for their unique characteristics. They feature wings and spots that are brown, with tail feathers that tend to fade over time showing another layer of unique colors. Not only are their feathers incorporated with a variety of colors, but they also sport red eyes and claws that make them stand out in the crowd.
Rainbow – The rainbow versions of these amazing birds are the most popular among the bunch simply because of their unpredictability. Rainbow Parakeets have abstract splashes of pastel colors and a wide variety of markings on their neck. The colors tend towards the lighter side and seem to have undergone quite a lively session in the paint room. Rainbow Parakeets are made possible due to a generation of breeding a lot of different colors to create a wide array of genetic varieties.
How does color dictate the price of a parakeet?
Parakeets with a rarer color mutation will have a higher price tag than the common ones. Although the color variations won’t affect the bird’s personality or health, it’s best to avoid heavily inbred Parakeets and ensure you’re getting your pet from a reputable source. For owners who plan to breed them in the future, you’ll have to rely heavily upon the color of the parents to pass on to their younglings. The parents may sometimes pass on unexpressed genes that will appear unexpectedly onto their young so be prepared if that happens.
What is Leucism and Albinism in Parakeets?
Parakeet leucism is the result of the partial or total reduction in the colors of the bird’s plumage. It’s different from albinism as this mutation is the result of the total lack of melanin while leucistic-affected parakeets only experience loss of pigmentation in the feathers while their eyes, bill, and bare parts retain their normal color. A leucistic parakeet has normal amounts of melanin that are inadequately fixated or fail to properly deposit in the feathers. This results in plumages that look like a washout of their original plumage or a completely white appearance.
On the other hand, an albino parakeet will always maintain a pure white plumage with the eyes colored pink or reddish. The other bare parts will also be pale and without color, unlike the leucistic variants. What makes leucistic parakeets unique is that they show minor variations in their plumage over time. The amount of white in their feathers tends to increase or decrease as new feathers appear through molting. Leucistic or albino parakeets are quite rare in the wild as they rely on their plumage to blend in their natural habitat. Predators like hawks and falcons will be able to identify these types quite easily as they’ll look different from the environment.
What is a Lutino?
Lutino budgies are the same as albinos in the sense that the color will always be yellow with a few white or silver patches. Both albino and lutino birds are often called “Ino’s” as they share the same Ino gene. This gene is responsible for erasing the blue coloring in their markings and feathers which is why blue parakeets will become white while the green ones become yellow.
Conclusion
There are a lot of parakeet color variations to choose from and choosing any one of them entirely depends on your preference. Owning a pet parakeet is very rewarding due to their affectionate behavior towards their owners, making them a really good alternative for owners looking for pets at home aside from the usual canines and felines.