Peach-faced Lovebird - Mutations Agapornis roseicollis

Despite the lovely, vibrant red, green and blue hues of this bird's natural colours, some breeders feel the need to develop colour variations in the Peach-faced Lovebirds' plumage.

Above are turquoise and blue (cobalt, a recessive gene). Others include Lutino (yellow), cinnamon and several other "unnatural" colour combinations.

These are called "blue". They have the red browband but have a white face and neck instead of peach. The green plumage is bluey green.

Why would anyone change such vibrant colours for grey and white (above left)? And what would be the psychological impact on the bird?

Above centre and right is a pied with a natural-colored lovebird.

This is an opaline. The yellow colour mutation is called lutino by some and cinnamon by others.

Peached-faced Lovebirds, above, Fishers and Masked are bred in different plumage mutations. Other Lovebird species, less common in captivity, are generally bred in natural plumage colours.