Unique Avian Solutions
for Breeding, Genetics,
and Companion Parrots
Copyright © Linda S. Rubin | CockatielsPlusParrots.com
Complete Guide to Cockatiel Color Mutations
  • 112 pages
  • 15 Chapters
  • Chapter quizzes
  • Chapter answers
  • Glossary definitions & more ...
Used with great success by cockatiel breeders
and zoos worldwide
Premiere Book Review
by Mr. Thomas C. Marshall
Former President,
American Federation of Aviculture, Inc.
The Complete Guide   to  
COCKATIEL COLOR MUTATIONS, Volume 1
COMING SOON!
~ This work is being transformed into a
downloadable digital book in order to keep
the expense down for you; solid information
with full descriptions, nomenclature and
history of the primary mutations - all
beautifully illustrated with colorful photos of
these stunning mutations.

Read FREE chapter excerpts highlighted in
red on the bar above at the top of this page ...
"Fortunately, Linda Rubin has made available for
us The Complete Guide to Cockatiel Color
Mutations, reminiscent of earlier contributions,
concerning color mutations of parrots, made by
British author George Smith in chapters of his
books, Lovebirds and Related Parrots and
Encyclopedia of Cockatiels.
However, Linda has taken the subject of
mutations, in terms of color pigmentation to a
greater depth and length  than has previously
been found in anything offered the aviculturist.
Discussions of rare color mutations and her
references to show standards, make this booklet a
one of a kind phenomena for aviculturists with a
penchant for the study genetics."              
Read Chapter excerpts by visiting links at the top of this page.
Excerpt to Color Pigmentation, part VIII
Lutino Pearl Pied
The last of the common triple mutations which I will discuss in this series is the Lutino Pearl
Pied. This fascinating combination has not received much popularity or credibility, probably
due to the fact that it is difficult to recognize. Again, we are dealing with one color along with
two patterns in the same bird. However, this time we have a color (Lutino) and a pattern
(Pearl) which are sex-linked and in most instances, inherited together. The other pattern, the
Pied factor, is recessive in reproduction and of course must be present in both parents either
in split or visual form in order to produce this triple mutation.

At first glance, the Lutino Pearl Pied may resemble a Lutino Pied or Lutino Pearl, depending
upon its background. Yet, the Lutino Pearl Pied is a combination of each of these three
separate mutations. To simplify, this triple mutation is actually a visual Pearl Pied, however,
you may not be able to easily see the markings as the Lutino color completely masks the
melanin pigment or grey pattern of the Pied.

Then, what about the pearl lacings, are those visible? In many cases, yes! Returning to Part
IV of this series on Lutino Pieds: "... when working from golden pied family lines which
display heavy (carotenoid) yellow pigment, the Lutino Pied can appear  an almost solid
yellow, if bred from extra heavy golden pied specimens. While a Lutino Pearl may appear
deep yellow from a distance with closer inspection revealing individual yellow lacings, a
heavy Lutino Pied can look more solidly yellow even when viewed close up.

True, a light Lutino Pied or one which exhibits very little yellow pigment may be hard to
identify."  Therefore, depending on inherited yellow pigmentation, the ideal Lutino Pearl Pied
specimen will be of a more solid yellow color and reveal deeper individual yellow lacings on
the back, shoulders, mantle, nape and head. Poorer marked specimens may not be marked
in all the above areas, or else sparsely marked at best. And again, if the pied or even the
pearl family lines lacked (carotenoid) pigment and appeared more white, the resulting Lutino
Pearl Pieds may not show very much yellow coloration at all.

Like the Lutino Pied, a positive means of identification of the Lutino Pearl Pied, along with the
above description, is the presence of bright red eyes. The red eye will appear at birth and
continue into adulthood. This is contrary to other ino series birds such as Lutinos and Lutino
Pearls, where additional melanin normally develops in the eye causing them to slightly
darken when the birds reach maturity. This is not so with either the Lutino Pied or Lutino
Pearl Pied, whose eyes always remain bright red.

Obviously, young birds of either sex will be easier to identify. As with all Pearl cross and triple
mutations, most male Lutino Pearl Pieds will lose much or all their pearl lacings upon
adulthood. These individuals will then appear virtually indistinguishable from Lutino Pieds
and so closed banding for future identification is ...   order to learn more
 Complete Guide Title Page & Book Review                   Forward                  Excerpt to Color Pigmentation, part V                 Excerpt to Color Pigmentation, part VIII