Anthracite budgies first appeared in the aviary of German breeder H. Lenk in 1998. They were able to reproduce quickly, the results of which proved the mutation was recessive. While Anthracites don’t look much different with one copy of the gene (split), two copies give them extremely dark coloration. They are often combined with blue
This mutation first appeared in Australia in 1975 by breeders L. and B. Ryan. It looks much like Opaline, but with markings on the back and nape “fuzzed out”, as well as a recessive inheritance. This patch is slightly discolored, looking more grey, though this is easier to notice in yellow-based birds.
A developing mutation in Australia that was first noted around 2020 when a non-Opaline hen produced “Opaline” males, which should be an impossible act. They are very similar to Opalines, and were misidentified as them for several years, but have some slight differences. Not only is this mutation dominant, but Ocean Spray budgies also have
Red Violet is a recently-developed and very rare dominant budgie mutation found in Australia. It darkens the bird’s color, specifically bringing out deeper indigo when combined with Blue and Violet. In the image, a red violet clearwing is pictured left, while a regular violet clearwing is pictured right.
A now-extinct mutation bred by Don Burke. The regular form had a chest with mixed “apple green and olive” coloration, and when combined with blue had a mix of “violet and sky”. This coloration does present itself in juveniles on occasion, but only the mutation form will keep it in adulthood.
A dominant mutation discovered in Belgium. Misties are slightly lighter-colored, being more obvious in their DF forms than SFs.
A mutation discovered in 1985 and quickly identified as Faded. They have an orange beak, pink feet, lightened body color, and are generally poor breeders in part due to the mutation’s recessive inheritance. Their eyes start off pink and turn black, finally developing an iris at the age of two. Both of the Faded budgies
The Slate mutation was first discovered in 1933 by British breeder H. Watson, who bought the original bird from an unknown dealer. Unfortunately, it died before it could produce any more Slates. Two years later, it appeared again under the British breeder T. Bowman. The mutation, although sex-linked, was slow to develop and generally ignored
Darkwing is a dominant mutation first discovered by the Mason Brothers in 1930-31. The story began with a shipment of wild budgies, which included some with a lighter body color. The pair purchased and bred some of these birds, resulting in several similarly-colored nestlings. The name Greywing Yellow was given to these early birds, which
Brownwing is an extremely rare recessive mutation from Australia thought to be extinct since the 1940s, but has quietly persisted up to the current date. They are visually similar to Cinnamons, but have slightly darker grey-brown markings, no body color dilution, and have a recessive inheritance. As nestlings, Brownwings have red eyes which eventually darken
