Cockatiel Variety · Domestic colour mutation (wild type native to Australia)
Whiteface
A mutation with no yellow or orange at all — clean grey-and-white with no cheek patch.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
In brief
The Whiteface cockatiel lacks all yellow and orange pigment, so it has a grey body with a clean white face and no orange cheek patches. Males show a bright white face, females a greyer one.
Whiteface: 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 | Grey body with a white face; no yellow or orange anywhere |
| Temperament | Gentle, affectionate, quiet |
| Best suited to | Patient owners and families; needs daily interaction and out-of-cage time |
History & Origins
Whiteface appeared in the Netherlands in 1969 and removes the lipochrome (yellow/orange) pigments entirely. Crossed with lutino it produces the pure-white, red-eyed bird the pet trade calls 'albino'. Whiteface pied and whiteface pearl are also popular.
Whiteface Fun Facts
- Whiteface birds have no orange cheek patches at all.
- Crossed with lutino, whiteface produces the all-white 'albino' cockatiel.
- Males develop a bright white face; females stay greyer.
- The mutation first appeared in the Netherlands in 1969.
Whiteface 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.
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.
Fatty liver disease
All-seed diets high in fat lead to hepatic lipidosis, causing an overgrown beak, poor feathering and lethargy.
Care: Switch gradually to a formulated pellet base with vegetables under avian-vet guidance and limit fatty seeds.
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