Opaline is a new mutation discovered in 1997 in Becky Anderson's aviary in Michigan. The 1st Opaline baby was hatched on January 18th, 1997. This mutation was bred from 2 seemingly common green birds. What a beautiful mutation! The green opaline has a full red head almost like a hood and a red-orange tail. Opalines also differ from normal greens in that they are a lighter shade of green. The rump, unlike the normal green bird is not blue, but green like the rest of the body. Babies are easily identifiable with their thick yellow down and the red on the back of the head when they are a little bit older. When the babies go through their adult molt, then the red covering the whole head will begin to develop. Opaline is a sex-linked mutation and can be combined with many other mutations to produce even more beautiful birds.
In 2003, the ALBS Membership voted to add a Section for Opalines in the show classifications. It has only been a couple of years, but Opalines are now being bred all over the world!! To learn more about how the Opaline was discovered, read this article. To view more Opaline variations, check out the ALBS Picture Library.
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Photo Credits: Linda Brandt - Green, Medium Green, and Dark Green Opalines |
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Photo Credits: Blake Ma - American Cinnamon Opaline Baby |
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Photo Credits: Lisa Viteri - Green Opaline Pied |
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Photo Credits: Royan Webb - Lutino Opaline and Australian Cinnamon Opaline |
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Royan Webb - Medium Seagreen Opaline |
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