Most Common Parakeet Colors and Varieties
Last Updated on February 12, 2023 by Ali Shahid
Thousands of pet shop enclosures display colorful parakeets. Their designs always seem to have the same busy pattern and vibrant colors that appeal to people. Many parakeet color mutations can be surprising for many viewers.
What are the maximum colors of a parakeet? How many different colors are there? The parakeets have at least 32 primary mutations.
This disperses more possible secondary mutations, leading to hundreds of color variants to be discovered!
Taking a look at these stunning specimens may be the way for you to see whether any of them catch your attention. Some of these options have become very popular in recent years.
Parakeet Colors
1. Green
Among wild parakeets, green is considered the original color as they can hide in the green foliage from predators since it’s the color of the original hue.
There is a yellow area with six spots on either side of the throat of the green parakeets, a dark blue banding on their cheeks, yellow stripes with black edges, and a turquoise tail.
It comes in three different shades of green with varying intensities: light, dark, and
2. Blue
You can choose from three different blues, the first being Skyblue, which pertains to the sky, the second being Cobalt, and the third being Mauve, a darker shade.
The blues cannot produce green when they are paired together. For instance, if you are to combine the colors blue and green, then you can match the colors blue and green.
3. Lutino and Albino Parakeet
The Lutino and Albino birds are the same as the green and bluebirds, except for the fact that they do not have colored pigments in their eyes.
However, they are yellow instead of green, white instead of blue, and the fact that they have red eyes instead of black makes them even more attractive than green ones.
They differ in their breeding characteristics and that is what makes them different. The females of red-eyed birds are always albinos or lutino, which makes them known as sex-linked birds.
4. Gray Green Parakeet
There are also three different color renditions for gray greens, i.e. light gray, dark gray, and very dark gray. Gray greens, on the other hand, have an extra element to them.
Gray Greens are mutants that are reproduced by breeding a Green with a Gray. In Gray Greens, there is a genetic anomaly.
When this happens, gray greens can have a double factor. The result is usually only gray-green.
5. Gray Parakeet
Gray is a color similar to blue, and there are three different variations of gray, light gray, dark gray, and very dark gray.
A pair of gray can be bred to produce both blue and gray. But they can also be double factor-like grey greens.
6. Rainbow
As you can see, this parakeet is adorned with all the bright colors of the rainbow after taking part in a lively session in the paint room.
On its neck, it shows a variety of markings in pastel colors that alternate with irregular splashes of color. Usually, the color of its markings is very light.
7. Purple
It is the first variety to come into being in the 1930s and for a long time, it was considered a rarity.
The mask is black and is outlined with black and purple stripes, with black spots on it. Dark purple cheek markings are common in this species, as is the black tip to the tail.
This variety is semi-dominant, just like its gray counterpart.
Parakeet Varieties
No matter what strain you choose, there are numerous varieties of Greens and Blues and you have the choice of taking either. I will attempt to list them here with the characteristics that make them unique.
This lime-color rose-ringed parakeet has a very striking appearance with its classic dark ring that wraps around the neck segment of its head.
The flight feathers of their wings are yellowish-green with dark green undertones on the wings, which creates a pleasing visual contrast.
For experienced pet owners, Rose-ringed parakeets are great companions. To retain their tameness, they must be handled consistently and with patience, but this should not be a problem for an experienced handler.
There is no doubt that they are incredibly smart birds, and they are also very sassy. Depending on the breeder, rose-ringed parakeets can cost anywhere from $200 to $700.
This all depends on the breeder from whom you buy your bird. The average lifespan of the bird is around 30 years.
There is nothing more beautiful than a Plum-headed parakeet who seems ready for a party. The colors they display are intensely bright, which makes them different from the rest of the pack.
Their body colors are bright green with turquoise neck rings and their heads are a combination of brilliant magenta and plum colors. Indeed, Plum-headed Parakeets don’t like strangers, but they are very loving towards their family members.
When it comes to their owners and cage mates they are very affectionate and social birds. Parakeets with plum-headed plumage cost about $400 to $700. Parakeets with plum-headed plumage can live for about 20 years with proper care.
- Crested
There are several varieties of the Crested, including Spangles, that can be seen in all colors and sizes.
A general rule is that they can have all the characteristics of normal colors, but should also be decorated with a crest or tuft over their head as an additional feature.
- Golden face Parakeet
As with yellow parakeets, a golden face parakeet usually has a green body and a deep golden face. After the first molt has been completed, the yellow color will start spreading downwards over the whole body.
A person may mistakenly think they’re seeing another type of color in their body and wings.
- Normals
It would be difficult to find any bird that you can say is completely normal in the world today. Indeed, there are not as many birds that do not carry anything in their genes as we would like.
A bird can carry several colors and varieties of colors that are hidden from view.
- Brown Parakeet
You can identify this bird by the color of its throat. The body of this species of bird is greenish and the throat is brownish.
On the forehead, cheeks, and chin of this creature, you can also find an orange coloring, and its crown may also have a blue color to it.
Some of these creatures have orange feathers on their wings as well.
- Slaty-Headed Parakeet
The body of this parakeet is mostly covered in seafoam green feathers and its heads are deep gray-blue. These birds have a beautiful yellow color fade into their tails, and their beaks, which are burnt orange, make them stand out.
A small spot of red color can be seen on the upper wings of males so it is easy to determine the gender of the particular creature. In general, these birds make wonderful pets, helping their owners develop strong bonds.
It is also possible for them to get along with other birds, which makes them suitable as roommates. It is estimated that these birds cost around $200 to $250 per bird. The lifespan of a slaty-headed parakeet is between 15 and 17 years.
- Fallows
It is not a color at all, but rather a variety. There is a huge variety of colors available. The wing markings on their wings are not black. They have a lighter body color than normal.
There are two varieties of Fallow deer, the English Fallow, and the American Fallow, which have plum-colored eyes; no sex difference exists.
A second variety is the German Fallow which has plum eyes and an iris, though it also shows some sex-related characteristics.
- American Parakeet
Among the many kinds of Budgies, the American parakeet is another type of Budgie that also includes several other kinds of birds.
English and American parakeets are almost identical, with the exception that the American Budgie is a bit smaller and more likely to be found in your local pet store.
They can learn to repeat words and come in many colors. You can also finger-train them very easily. American parakeets are good first birds to own, just as English Budgies are.
- Spangles
Spangles are also dominant varieties in the world of parakeets. In the green series, the body is green, but the wing colors are reversed so that instead of the normal blacks and yellows, they are yellows and blacks.
Additionally, there is another particular feature of Spangle in the fact that when two Spangles are bred together, some youngsters are not born with the normal Spangle markings on them.
Those of the Green series, including the wings, are all yellow, while the ones of the Blue series are white. Hence, this bird belongs to a double-factor series.
- Saddleback Parakeet
Unlike other types of Budgies, Saddleback Budgies have a non-diluted yellow or blue coloration over the body, with the rump and chest being the darkest.
Named after an interesting feature of this Parakeet, the V-shaped area on its head and shoulders, the Parakeet has an interesting appearance.
This may have light markings and a patch of lighter coloring, often red, that is reminiscent of a saddle.
You probably won’t be able to find this type of parakeet in your local pet store, as it is one of those rarer types.
- Yellow faces
The yellow chevroned parakeets, also called the Pocket Parrot or Bee Bee by many people, originate from South America. The majority of their body parts usually have greenish hues that are complemented by pale green underparts.
The bird’s wings are green and light green with yellow highlights. The color of the beak and wings is brown, but sometimes you can also find orange-brown. They are often kept as pets and have a playful temperament.
- Anthracite Parakeet
Anthracite Parakeets, also known as Anthracite Budgies, have a black overall body coloration which becomes solid black on their chest.
These birds usually have black markings around their wings and cheeks, as well. The head is usually heavily striped, with the face being white.
- Blue Indian Ring-Necked Parakeet
There is nothing like the beauty that a Blue Indian Ring-necked Parakeet brings to the world. The bird has a vibrant personality that oozes character when it interacts with humans.
They have beautiful colors, which are sky-blue color, with a black line around their neck, making them rare as well as beautiful. Besides that, they have bright red beaks and penetrating eyes.
Because of their charming appearance, these cuties might appeal to you as a potential purchase. However, if you are a first-time pet owner, be careful.
The birds can be nippy and sassy, which is why you will need to handle them often once you bring them home.
Blue Indian ring-necked parakeets usually cost between $400 and $500, which is an average price for such a bird. On average, such a bird lives for about 30 years.
- Recessive Pied
The Pied mutation results in the birds only having pigmentation in certain areas of their bodies. The appearance of pied birds may depend on how well organized they are, and they can look quite appealing, or very filthy and messy.
Some birds carry the Pied gene, however, they do not usually show signs of identifying themselves as having the Pied gene.
There are several ways the pied division can be distinguished from the black division, some of which include a lighter spot on the tailor and a tail feather that is slightly tanned.
- Monk parakeets
Among the many different names for this bird, the monk parakeet can also be called the quaker parrot. The gray abdomen of this little green bird is accompanied by a yellow beak. It is widely recognized that these parakeets are full of personalities despite their small size.
There are so many theatrical and comedic characteristics about these birds that they can offer to both humans and other animals as well. It is possible for monks during play to be a little rough, but usually, it is all in good fun.
A monk parakeet can cost anywhere from $600 to $700, depending on the species. Monk parakeets live an average of 15 to 20 years in the wild.
- Dark-eyed Clears
The Dark-Eyed Clear is, as its name implies, white when compared to its blue counterpart and yellow when compared to its green counterpart.
Black-eyed Pied has no iris and black eyes without a ring around the pupil. These features are similar to those of Recessive Pied.
- Blossom-headed Parakeet
This particular kind of parakeet is characterized by a stunning head color, which ranges from orangey-red to pinkish purple. The feathers on their necks are a variety of shades of green, separated by a strap of black that runs around their necks.
Both people and other birds enjoy the company of these cute little birds due to their sweet temperaments. Owners find these birds fascinating because of their curiosity and charm. They are also not very vocal when they are at play.
Therefore, if you are looking for a parakeet that can be a bit quieter, it might be worthwhile to look into it further.
There are usually between $400 and $700 price ranges for blossom-headed parakeets. The average life expectancy for these birds is around 20 years.
- Opalines
Unlike traditional parakeets, Opaline Parakeets do not have a striping above or below their heads. Because of the opaline gene, the breed has a pale color compared to other breeds of the same color.
The body of this parakeet usually consists of green, blue, or gray colors with yellows on the head.
- Texas Clearbody Parakeet
The Texas Clearbody is characterized by a pale, light-colored throat and breast part of the bird that gets darker the closer it gets to its legs, rump, and legs.
There is usually a 50% diluting effect for birds that are darker in shade than their non-diluting counterparts.
It is often found that dark spots on bird wings are surrounded by white edges, and these spots tend to fade over time.
- Derbyan Parakeet
With its bold contrasts of color, the derbyan parakeet is one of a kind specimen. Despite the mostly green color of their body, they have a grayish-bluish head and chest area, and two deep rings of black defining their chin and eyes.
It is possible that they can have yellow spots on the top of and under the feathers of their wings. Even though they have such a bright color, their personalities are very laid back and they would make great animal companions.
There is no doubt that these birds are incredibly intelligent, and they love learning new things. Parakeets of the Derbyan type have a price range of between $400 and $1,000. A life expectancy of 20-30 years is typical.
- Regent Parakeet
A bird found in Australia, the regent parakeet is also known as the rock pebbler. The wings of these parakeets are mainly yellow, green, and deep blue, with a touch of red at the tip.
Although regent parakeets are initially quite shy, once they open up and become accustomed to each other, they are greatly entertaining.
It is because of the agreeable nature of this species of bird that they do very well in aviaries. The cost of a regent parakeet can range from $200 to $500.
A regent parakeet has a lifespan of 25 years or more.
- Cinnamons
They usually have half the amount of color depth that a normal bird has. As the wings are cinnamon-brown, instead of black, the markings on the wingtips look more like those in the normal colors.
Moreover, all the normal colors are present on the wings, including Gray Green, and Gray.
- English Budgie Parakeet
Several other types of parakeets on the list are descended from the English Budgie parakeet. Most native to Australia, the Australian Parakeet is an excellent choice for a first bird.
There is no denying that budgies are green in color in the wild, but caged budgies can come in a broad range of colors. A budgie can speak and will often repeat back to you what you say and will learn many of the words you use.
It is capable of repeating simple sentences. It is common to see English Budgies in zoos and other types of exhibitions because they are larger than a lot of parakeets.
Compared to other breeds, they tend to have more feathers around their faces, which gives them the impression of being moody or mad.
- Lineolate Parakeets
One of the most recognizable features of the lineolate parakeet’s feathers is its fascinating pattern details. They are typically covered in feathers that are a variety of green shades with a blue underside.
They can, however, also undergo mutations in the wild, leading to mutations with colors such as blue, turquoise, and even pure white.
If these little guys are socialized properly and treated properly, they will likely be big fans of their humans. Whether it is holding them on your finger or whistling a tune to them, they love it.
This variety of parakeets has been regarded as a calmer variety of parakeets because of the lack of use of vocal cords.
- Gray wings
In addition to gray wings appearing in all normal colors, Green, Blue, Gray Green, and Gray wings appear as well. Their actual body color is covered, and their wing markings are a pastel gray on a yellow or white background.
The Alexander the Great parrot, a tropical parrot of medium size and color, bears the name of Alexander the Great.
Unlike most parakeets, these parakeets have beautiful green plumes, dotted with splashes of red, covering their heads. In comparison to other species of their kind, such as ring-necked parakeets, these birds are quieter than others.
A bird-like Alexander can be exceptionally intelligent and can easily get along with humans as well as other animals.
Nevertheless, these smart little birds are possibly a little aggressive or a little territorial if they come into contact with other birds.
It is known that Alexandrines can be extremely expensive, with prices ranging from $500 to $1,500. It is also known that they have a long life expectancy of 30 years.
- Moustached Parakeets
Moustached parakeets are easily identified by the large red patch on their chests, which is the most distinctive feature of this species. There is also a black bandit look around the eyes, as well as a black strap on the chin.
In addition, their heads are lavender gray with red-orange beaks. Even though the moustached parakeet enjoys human interaction, it is not one of the cuddliest parrots.
I highly recommend a hands-off approach to bond with your bird as they will make interactive vocalizations and learn tricks happily. These Parakeets are social, curious animals who enjoy playing and interacting with people.
Depending on the situation, a moustached parakeet can cost you anywhere between $250 and $1,000. It is estimated that the average lifespan of one of these birds will be 20-25 years.
- Bourke’s Parakeet
This little beauty is the only species of the genus Parakeet in Australia, meaning that they are a one-of-a-kind bird. It is interesting to note that the Bourke’s Parakeet has a vibrant pink belly and grey-spotted wings, making it a fascinating bird to look at.
To strengthen the bonding experience that takes place between the owner and the bourkie, they must get them when they are as young as they can.
In general, these people are very low-key and very quiet, especially compared to other birds of the same sort.
Depending on the breed, Bourkies can range in price from $150 to over $300. The average lifespan of these birds is about eight to fifteen years, which is shorter than most parakeets.
- Brotogeris Parakeet
There are several species of brotogeris parakeet, but the majority of them are green. Their flight feathers and heads sometimes are colored yellow, white, orange, or gray.
Within the brotogeris family, there are several subspecies, including orange-chinned, canary-winged, yellow-chevroned, and cobalt-winged. Family members of the brotogeris genus are renowned for their intelligence, energy, and quick reactions.
Though they have a fairly long list of personality traits, they can be good pets for most people, especially when they are taught the requisite skills at an early age.
It costs between $400 and $500 to obtain a Brotogeris parakeet. The lifespan of the bird is between 10 and 15 years.
Conclusion
There is a wide variety of colors, patterns, and types to choose from when it comes to parakeets, just as there are many tropical birds.
You can find a range of shades in just about any color scheme you can imagine if you like a particular shade. If you’re looking for a fun hobby, having a parakeet (or a few) at home can be a lot of fun.
The character of these birds differs from bird to bird as much as the color of the feathers and they can be a terrific choice whether you’re a beginner bird owner or an experienced one.
