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Whiteface Cockatiels
Whiteface Cockatiels are a stunning sight that stands out from most other colours in that it contains no orange cheekpatch or yellow colouration at all. The male is the most eyecatching of the 2 sexes having the true white face that gives this mutation its name. Hens of this mutation retain the greyish colour of the juvenile bird and do not ever get the brilliant contrasting white face against the very dark grey body colour. When Whiteface is combined with other mutations it creates other visually appealing colours that further enhance the beauty of the cockatiel.
Genetics and HeredityThe Whiteface Cockatiels mutation is created by an autosomal recessive gene that deactivates the production of the yellow pigments. Basically all yellows and oranges are totally absent in the whiteface and it is apparent even in the newly hatched chick of this mutation. As soon as a chick hatches a whiteface bird can be determined by the white down. All other colours have yellow down except for the whiteface.
In parrots this mutation is referred to as 'Blue'. As most people are aware that yellow and blue make green, in the usual green coloured parrot species when the yellow is removed we are left with basically blue. In cockatiels which are not green coloured but in fact grey, the gene still in effect removes the yellows and oranges but leaves a grey bird lacking the characteristic orange cheekpatches and yellow facial colouring.
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