Pied was the first reported cockatiel colour mutation to occur in aviculture in California, USA in 1949. Pied is an Autosomal Recessive mutation which alters the normal colouration of the bird in random areas.

The Pied mutation can also be found in the wild cockatiels in Australia, along with Cinnamon, Lutino & Pearl. These birds are rarely seen as hawks and eagles single them out in the flock.

A Pied can have as little as one toenail or one feather without colour. Pieds are usually described as being "light", "heavy", "reverse" and "clear". These are all descriptive words and are all the same Pied mutation.

Light Pied
When the bird has very little yellow or white colour markings.

Heavy Pied
Bird is more white or yellow than grey (or mutation colour).

Reverse Pied
This is the type of Pied that breeders aim to breed. The bird has no colour on its face, primary flight feathers, chest or tail. They are usually void of any colour all over except for two colour markings on each wing.

Clear Pied
Clear Pied is basically a Lutino with black eyes. These birds are void of neary, if not all colour on them.

 

"Reverse" Pied cock This is the son of the Pied hen below.
Juvenile "heavy" Whiteface Cinnamon Pied cock	"Heavy" Pied hen
"Reverse" Whiteface Cinnamon Pied cock	"Light" Whiteface Pied cock