color?

Question
I don't mean to ask a complicated question, but, what colors are tiels?

Answer
Hi jlo,
Don't ever start off a question to me by sounding like you are apologizing for what you ask. There is only ONE type of question that I won't answer. And, that's the one I don't know the answer to. :) The Cockatiel, which is native to Australia, now occurs in 6 well established mutations. The 'orignial', if you will, is the Normal Gray. This isn't considered a mutation, as this is the one found in the wild. By tweaking and playing with genetics, there are many color mutations that now can be found. There are other color variants, jlo, some being mutations in the process of being established, and some being combinations of existing varieties, and some just being creative names given by pet stores and/or breeders. *smile* The Normal Gray is a slate gray, signature orange cheeks, and yellow head. Now, we start tweaking genes and we come up with Lutino, which is a pretty white-ish/yello, (this is a good example of 'creative names', for some have been called Buttercups or Primroses in the U.K.) There is Cinnamon. Which looks more of a brown color, than gray. There is a Pearl, which is sometimes refered to as a Lacewing. For that's what the pattern resembles. There is a Pied. Which produces a patchy look. Fallow, which is another brown 'tiel, but with red eyes. A more recent mutation which has been well established is White Face, which I happen to own, and find them to be MOST attractive, even though void of their signature orange cheek patches. There are what's called cross-mutations, too. Giving numerous other combinations. Some are sex-linked recessive, and some are autosomal recessive, which affect coloration of the plumage. Some traits even change the eye color from black to red. I hope I've answered you without confusing you. If there is anything other that you would like to ask, always feel free to do so, never hesitate. If I can't answer, I'll be honest in telling you, or try to help you find somewhere to find your answer.
Best regards,
Linnie :)