The Yellowface Cockatiel

The Yellowface mutation is one of the recent mutation to be established in Cockatiels. They were first bred in Europe during the late 1980's and were imported into USA by 1992. It is a typical sex-linked mutation, hens cannot be split Yellowface but cocks of course can be any colour and still be split Yellowface.

Unfortunately we do not have any photo's of the yellowface, but the Yellowface mutation looks like a normal grey Cockatiel except that they lack the normal orange cheek patches on their face. The cheek patch is not absent but has been changes to a deep gold rather than orange.

Mature cock birds therefore seem to display a 'Golden head'. The Hen also lacks the orange tones, which leave her face considerably, more yellow than normal.

Cere beak and toenails all appear the same colour as the Normal grey Cockatiel. Yellowface chicks have the usual grey down and dark eyes when hatched and cannot be identified until the pin feathers arrive which cover the cheek patch.

This mutation is not yet availiable in Australia, although several breeders are trying to establish this mutation in this country.