Cockatiel Variety · Domestic colour mutation (wild type native to Australia)
Lutino
A white-to-yellow bird with red eyes and orange cheeks — the first cockatiel mutation.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
In brief
The Lutino cockatiel is a popular mutation that removes grey pigment, leaving a white-to-pale-yellow bird with red eyes, orange cheeks and a yellow crest. It was the first cockatiel mutation, appearing in 1958.
Lutino: At a Glance
| Origin | Domestic colour mutation (wild type native to Australia) |
|---|---|
| Size | Small (30–33 cm including tail; 80–120 g) |
| Size & weight | 80–120 g |
| Lifespan | 15–25 years with good care |
| Plumage | White to pale yellow plumage, red eyes, orange cheeks |
| Temperament | Gentle, affectionate, sometimes shy |
| Best suited to | Patient owners and families; needs daily interaction and out-of-cage time |
History & Origins
The Lutino mutation arose in Florida in 1958 and was rapidly popularised, sometimes marketed misleadingly as a 'moonbeam' or 'albino'. It is sex-linked recessive. A common 'lutino bald spot' behind the crest reflects past inbreeding for colour, which responsible breeders work to avoid.
Lutino Fun Facts
- The Lutino was the first cockatiel colour mutation, dating to 1958.
- Many Lutinos have a small bald patch behind the crest from past inbreeding.
- Their red eyes can be slightly more light-sensitive than dark-eyed birds.
- It is a sex-linked recessive mutation.
Lutino 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.
Egg binding
A female bird becomes unable to pass a formed egg, causing straining, fluffed feathers, weakness and tail bobbing — a life-threatening emergency.
Care: Provide a calcium-rich diet and privacy; seek urgent avian-vet care if a hen strains without passing an egg.
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.
Vitamin A deficiency
Seed-heavy diets lack vitamin A, leading to respiratory infections, poor feather quality and mouth lesions.
Care: Offer orange and dark-green vegetables and a vet-approved pellet diet; an avian vet can advise on supplementation.
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