Budgerigar Variety · Domestic colour variety (wild type native to inland Australia)

Albino

A pure white bird with red eyes — the blue-series version of the ino mutation.

By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated June 2026

Small5–10 years (sometimes 12–15 with excellent care; exhibition lines often shorter)Active

Albino budgerigar — A pure white bird with red eyes — the blue-series version of the ino mutation.

In brief

The Albino budgerigar is the blue-series form of the 'ino' mutation: with both blue (no yellow) and ino (no dark pigment) genes, the bird is pure white with red eyes. Sexing usually needs the cere colour or DNA, not plumage.

Albino: At a Glance

Key facts about the Albino budgerigar variety
Origin	Domestic colour variety (wild type native to inland Australia)
Size	Small (about 18 cm; wild-type 30–40 g)
Size & weight	30–40 g (wild type); exhibition birds 50–62 g
Lifespan	5–10 years (sometimes 12–15 with excellent care; exhibition lines often shorter)
Plumage	Pure white body, red eyes, white cheek patches
Temperament	Active, social, sometimes shy
Best suited to	Sociable owners; budgies are flock birds and do best in pairs or groups with daily interaction

History & Origins

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small parrot from the arid interior of Australia, where huge nomadic flocks follow seasonal rains. First brought to Europe in the 1840s, it became one of the world's most popular cage birds. Selective breeding has since produced a wide spectrum of colour mutations and the larger 'English' exhibition type, all descended from the green-and-yellow wild bird.

Albino Fun Facts

An Albino is genetically a blue-series Lutino.
It needs both the blue and the ino genes.
Red eyes can be a little more sensitive to very bright light.
Colour gives no clue to sex, so the cere or a DNA test is used.

Albino Common Health Issues

Conditions seen more often in this breed, and how owners and vets help manage them. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.

Chronic egg laying

Pet hens, especially cockatiels, may lay repeated clutches without a mate, depleting calcium and risking egg binding.

Care: An avian vet can adjust light cycles, diet and environment to reduce hormonal laying; hormone treatment helps severe cases.

Goitre (iodine deficiency)

An iodine-deficient, all-seed diet enlarges the thyroid, pressing on the airway and crop and causing laboured breathing, a clicking voice and regurgitation — classic in budgerigars.

Care: Feed a varied diet with a vet-approved pellet base rather than seed alone; an avian vet can treat affected birds with iodine and dietary correction.

Scaly face (mites)

Knemidokoptes mites burrow into the skin around the beak, cere, eyes and legs, producing crusty, honeycomb-like growths that can deform the beak if untreated.

Care: An avian vet confirms mites and treats with an appropriate antiparasitic; treat and clean the bird's cage and accessories at the same time.

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Albino FAQs

What is a Albino budgerigar?

Is the Albino a good pet budgie?

Colour and type do not change temperament — all budgerigars are sociable flock birds that need company (ideally another budgie), flight space, a varied diet beyond seed and daily interaction. The Albino suits owners who can meet those needs every day.

How long does a Albino budgerigar live?

With a large cage or aviary, daily out-of-cage flight, a balanced pellet-and-vegetable diet and avian-vet care, budgies commonly live 5 to 10 years and sometimes longer. An all-seed diet shortens life through obesity, fatty liver and iodine-deficiency goitre.