A Color Mutation occurs when a bird of a given species exhibits colors that are not normally produced in the wild. In the pet bird trade, breeders often strive to produce rare and beautiful color mutations by breeding selectively for certain genes. These birds are often worth much more than specimens of normal coloration. In birds, the term "Color Mutation" refers to a bird whose feathers exhibit a different color than you would normally find in the wild.
The code for feathers of a certain color is carried on a bird's genes. Therefore, it is possible to breed birds with genetic codes for different colors together, creating new and different color mutations. Breeding for color mutations has become especially popular in the bird trade, with breeders of many species striving to create the perfect bird in an array of beautiful and sometimes unusual colors.
A few species which are known to carry the genes for a variety of color mutations are Budgies and Parakeets, Lovebirds, Cockatiels, and Indian Ringnecks. Breeders have been able to produce birds in an extraordinary number of colors and shades.