Anytime a parrot is bred to include colors that will not be colors it could naturally come in when it is in the wild, it is referred to as a bird with color mutation. Birds’ feathers are much like human hair. The DNA that dictates what color the feathers will be is built into their genes. However, if breeders selectively choose mates for the bird with wildly varying color combinations, then color mutations can be created.

In fact, color mutations have become quite popular as more and more people enjoy having a uniquely colored bird. Not all parrots have the ability to gain color mutation. For the most part, the types of parrots that can readily accept color mutation are Parakeets (budgies), Lovebirds, Cockatiels and Ringnecks. These types of birds tend to mutate in color quite easily, making them the choice for breeders who want to offer uniquely colored birds.

Choosing the Color Of Your Parrot:

The technique of breeding color mutation is actually quite new. This is because the mutations first came about by accident. In the beginning, these breeders did not mean to create color mutated birds, but once people actually wanted these birds, breeders began to do this on purpose. Now, there are actually names for the various colors that are created. For example, there are a number of shades of blue that can now be created in parakeets. Two of the blue mutated colors are violet and cobalt.

While unique colors is the most common type of color mutation, another has to do with the actual way white, black and brown plays in with the bird’s prominent color. For example, when a bird has reverse color on its head and neck, you may see that the streaks are prominent color and white instead of the prominent color and black. There are many different varieties of this, including more white on the wings or neck, no white at all, or wing tips with an alternate shade. Each of these mutations has its own name. Some of these include Pearl, Opalescent, Lutino, Cinnamon, Whiteface, Yellowcheeks, and Silvers.

If you are interested in choosing a bird that has a color mutation, you will need to determine which colors you are most interested in. When you visit the breeder, you may start hearing these technical terms and you may very easily get confused. The best thing to do is to research on the Internet the various color mutations to determine which type of bird you like best. Once you know the name of the color mutation, you will be able to tell the breeder what you are looking for.

Color mutations in parrots make it easy for you to find a very unique bird that will definitely get a great deal of attention. You do not have to settle for a bird that looks just like anyone else’s. If you are interested in the birds that can have color mutation, be sure to consider the right breeds. Chances are, you will find that it is quite easy to find parakeets with color mutations, but you can find other birds that have the mutations as well.