Although there are more than 30 different color variations in captive-bred Parakeets, wild Budgies are always yellow and green. This color combination is also the most common in pets, but there really is a huge variety of colors now available, from lutinos that are all yellow to half-sider parakeets that are different colors on different sides of the body. Some rare colors should not be intentionally bred because the genes that are present to create the unique pattern also cause illness and deformities.
But below we look at 8 rare Parakeet colors so you can identify an unusually-colored Parakeet or to help you decide the color you want to buy.
The 8 Rare Parakeet Colors
The most common marking for Parakeets is a green body with yellow wings and head and black bars across the wings and over the head. The face of the bird is yellow. This is the wild coloring of the Parakeet and is still the most common in captive-bred birds.
There are 32 known primary mutations and these can combine, which means that there are potentially hundreds of different color combinations and unique looks. All Parakeets are generally categorized as being either white-based or yellow-based Parakeets, and some of the rarer colors you can find in this incredible little bird are:
Most Parakeets have some black in their coats, typically black bands at the end of their wing and head feathers. But black Parakeets can have all black feathers, or feathers that are dark gray with black bands at the end and these feathers can be found across the whole body. Alternatively, some black Parakeets are back-capped or black-hooded and have black head feathers while the rest of the body can be a different color.
Purple Parakeets are stunning. They have purple bodies and usually have purple cheeks. The purple can range from a light lilac to a bright, almost neon purple. The markings can be very similar to those of the standard Parakeet colors except they have purple in place of the yellow. The cheeks of the purple Parakeet can be purple, or they can be blue.
3. Rainbow Parakeets
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A rainbow Budgie has a variety of colors, typically including a blue body, yellow wings, and yellow head. Because the colors merge across different areas of the body, it can seem as though many other colors make up the rainbow markings. Unlike the standard Parakeet color, the rainbow can have different colored bands at the end of the wing feathers, making it appear even more bright and more colorful.
4. Lutino Parakeets
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Lutino Parakeets produce more xanthochromia, which is the pigmentation that creates the yellow color in the bird’s wings. Lutinos also have a red tinge to their eyes, unlike similarly colored dark-eyed clear Parakeets and double-factor spangle mutations.
5. Albino Parakeets
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Albinism occurs rarely but naturally in Parakeets, as it does in most other animals. They have all-white feathers as well as red eyes and pink legs. Albinism occurs because the bird does not produce any melanin or other pigmentation to color the feathers or eyes. Albino Parakeets are not usually any more susceptible to illnesses or other conditions, and they can be found for sale from various breeders, but they do attract a higher price because of their rarity and how difficult it is to find them.
The Anthracite Parakeet has black or gray feathers, rather than the brightly colored feathers of the standard Parakeets. They also have black cheek patches. This color is very rare, and it is very unusual to find it outside Germany, where it was first developed and where its greatest popularity remains today.
7. Half-Sider Parakeets
Half Sider is not strictly a particular color of Parakeet, but it is very rare, and its striking look makes it memorable. A Half Sider has different colors or markings on each half of the body. Essentially, both halves of the Parakeet are genetically different, so the bird is like two twins fused together. In some animals, this chimerism can cause greater rates of infertility, which makes it difficult to breed and makes Half-Siders rare.
The Lacewing Parakeet combines two mutations: the cinnamon mutation and either the albino or lutino mutation. If it includes the lutino mutation, the Parakeet will be yellow with cinnamon-colored markings on the feather. If it combines the albino mutation with the cinnamon, it will be white with these same cinnamon markings. Lacewing Parakeets have red eyes and pink legs.
Where Do Parakeets Come From?
Parakeets originate from Australia, but they can be found in countries and territories across the world. Most of these other populations likely arose as a result of formerly pet and captive birds escaping and breeding with others. They can now be found across Europe, Asia, and Australia. They are also very popular pet birds because they are not aggressive, can do well in captivity, and don’t require too much maintenance.
Are Parakeets the Same as Budgies?
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Parakeets are an order of birds that includes Budgerigars, or Budgies, and while the two words are used interchangeably, they are not necessarily the same. All Budgies are indeed Parakeets but not all Parakeets are Budgies. In the pet bird world, the birds we keep as pets and know as Parakeets in the U.S. are referred to as Budgies in most other countries around the world.
Do They Make Good Pets?
Although they can make excellent pets, Parakeets do need a good level of care and maintenance to ensure they thrive and are happy. They require a good cage, and they need companionship. You can keep multiple Parakeets, with research and a big enough habitat, but you should also involve your pet Parakeet in your life as much as possible. Put the bird cage in a room where you sit quite often and ensure that the cage faces you so that your pet can hear you and you can hear it.
Conclusion
Parakeets are sweet and relatively low-maintenance birds that make excellent pets. Wild Parakeets, and the majority of captive Parakeets, are yellow, green, and black, but ever since the species has been captive-bred, new color mutations have been discovered and bred. Today, it is possible to find Parakeets in a vast array of different colors and mutations, and there are potentially hundreds of different colors for potential Parakeet owners to choose from.
Above are some of the rarer colors, but their rarity not only means that they can be difficult to find but they will also attract a higher price than the more common, standard colors.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
