07/08/2025
🪺 Next up in our Mutation Spotlight: Dominant Pied Budgies! 🎨
Looking for a budgie with a splash of unpredictable colour and tons of character? Let us introduce you to the Dominant Pied — one of the most popular pied mutations, known for its quirky markings and bold appearance.
🌍 Origin:
The Dominant Pied mutation is believed to have first emerged in Australia in the 1920s, and quickly gained popularity worldwide for its bold and varied patterning. It was one of the earliest pied mutations to be established in breeding lines and remains a favourite among hobbyists and show breeders today.
🎨 What is a Dominant Pied?
Dominant Pied budgies have random patches of clear, unpigmented feathers across their body — meaning you’ll often see white or yellow areas (depending on base colour) where the normal colour should be. These patches are especially noticeable on the chest, wings, or lower belly.
Their markings are unique — no two birds look the same!
🧬 Inheritance:
As the name suggests, the Dominant Pied mutation is inherited dominantly, so:
One parent needs to be Dominant Pied to pass it on.
If a bird inherits two copies of the gene (Double Factor), the pattern changes significantly.
> 🫧 Double Factor Dominant Pieds are mostly void of all visible colour except on the back and under the wings. The remaining colour will be the bird’s base colour — either white or yellow, depending on whether they’re in the blue or green series.
🧪 Can it be part of a combination?
Yes! Dominant Pied can be combined with other mutations like Opaline, Spangle, Cinnamon, Violet, Yellowface, and even Hagoromo — resulting in some truly unique and visually stunning birds. When used in combination breeding, it adds even more variation to wing and body patterning.
👁️ How to identify them:
Irregular patches of clear feathers with no black markings.
Iris rings develop normally in adults (unlike some pied types like Fallow).
🤝 Dominant Pied vs Recessive Pied:
Dominant Pied birds do develop iris rings and pass the gene dominantly.
Recessive Pied birds never develop iris rings and require two copies of the gene to show visual traits.
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At Golden Wings Aviaries, we love the bold and beautiful personalities that often come with these colourful little rebels. Dominant Pieds also look stunning in our Hagoromo lines, creating a truly eye-catching bird!
📲 Seen a Dominant Pied you love? Message us to join our waiting list.
🐦 Want to learn more about nutrition for your flock? Follow Golden Wings Aviaries for more budgie care tips and updates!
✨ Golden Wings Aviaries — Where Beauty Takes Flight. 🕊️
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