What is Opaline? Gene type: Sex-linked recessive

Opaline is one of the most popular sex-linked recessive mutations in cockatiels. It completely changes the wing and body pattern.

*1. What is Opaline?*
- *Gene type*: Sex-linked recessive. That means males need 2 copies to show it. Females only need 1 copy.
*Visual effect*: The normal cockatiel wing has grey feathers with white spots on the underside. Opaline removes most of the normal wing pattern .
*Name origin*: "Opaline" in other birds means colour shifted to the body. In cockatiels, breeders called it "Opaline" because of the body pattern .

*2. Key features*
*Wings*: Instead of solid grey with spots, you get distinct banding/lacing. Looks like the feathers are outlined.
- *Body*: The body colour becomes paler and more evenly washed. Often, it looks "diluted" compared to normal grey.
*Head*: Usually, the head stays closer to normal colour, so you get nice contrast.

*3. Sex-linked inheritance*
Because it’s sex-linked recessive:
*Male visual x Female visual* = All babies visual
*Male split x Female visual* = 25% male, 25% visual female 25% male splits, 25%NG
*Male visual x Female normal* = All daughters visual, all sons split to Opaline
*Male split x Female normal* = 25% daughter visual, 25% sons split, 50%NG sons and daughters.

Breeders use this to sex chicks early. If you pair a visual Opaline male to a normal female, all daughters will be Opaline.

*4. Colour varieties*
Opaline works with almost every other mutation:
*Opline Grey*: The base version. Grey body with opaline wing pattern
- *Opaline Cinnamon*: Warmer brown tones
- *Opaline Whiteface*: No yellow/orange at all, looks silver + white pattern
- *Opaline Lutino*: Yellow + red cheeks with the opaline pattern
- *Opaline Pied*: Mix of opaline pattern + pied patches

*5. Personality & care*
No difference from normal cockatiels. Same temperament, lifespan 15-20 years, same diet and care. It’s purely a cosmetic mutation. Ch.Shahmir Nadeem
Islamabad
Asw aviary