Parakeets are not color blind, in fact their ability to view colors are far better than ours due to the four cone visuals incorporated within their retinas. They’re able to see colors within the ultraviolet spectrum, colors that we can only imagine.

As what for these colors are they include the below:

• ultraviolet+purple
• ultraviolet+yellow
• ultraviolet+red
• ultraviolet+green

This ability to view colors at a fourth spectrum gives parakeets more opportunity to distinguish objects, people of other birds from each other whether it be to discern the difference between ripe or rotten food, see the differences between areas that are basically block colors (picture entirely green forests).

The extra come simply adds more depth to theses little parrots vision, which is very beneficial in their lifestyle, particularly in the wild.

How Parakeets See Ultraviolet Colors?

Studies have been done on the biology and the way in which parakeets among other birds are designed so to speak. Their eyes aren’t made with a 3 cone structure like us limiting our ability to see color. We can only see the primary colors and mixtures of those primary color like pink, orange etc.

Purple is the only color within the ultraviolet spectrum which is we can see  although, purple in and of itself isn’t necessarily a real color but more so a shade a of violet.

Parakeets on the other hand can see a variety of unique colors that we can only imagine as a result of their ancient four color-cone visual system, also called Tetrachromacy, which was discovered all the way back in early vertebrates.

These vertebrates include, reptiles, fish and even dinosaurs. There was actually a study done on birds (hummingbirds to be specific) ability to discern UV colors. This specific study showcased hummingbirds can tell the difference between 2 colors we would class to be the same and use that knowledge to eat the desired food pretty much every time.

It was done by Lund University in Sweden which recreated how parakeets among other birds see the world. It shows how easily they’re able to distinguish leaves or foliage from each other as a result of uv color

What Colors Do Parakeets See?

 

Parakeets see all the colors we can along with colors that fall within the non-spectral range. As a result the can see the following colors :

• ultraviolet+purple
• ultraviolet+yellow
• ultraviolet+red
• ultraviolet+green
• Red
• Green
• Blue
• Yellow
• Orange
• Pink
• Everything else in-between like turquoise, teal, maroon etc.

Parakeets can see the nuance in the colors that we simply have a limited scope on so, even if the technology or just the ability to process exactly what they see is technically impossible for us, we’re still able to understand when a a light source is ultraviolet as a result of the equipment used to distinguish them.

But, we’ll never be able to see what these little parakeets within some crazy enhancements in biology and retinal sciences

Will Getting Older Affect A Parakeets Ability To See Color?

For us, the older we get the worse our vision becomes, often our eyesight peaks in our younger years but, with the elements and light constantly weathering the eyes, even the best eyesight will diminish over time.

Birds age just like we do so it makes sense that their vision as a whole would deteriorate too. As a result their ability to view colors is likely to lessen too.

With age these small parrots do show some signs of aging in regards to the color of their eyes. It may start shifting from black and brown to a more red, yellow color.

If you do notice this, it isn’t something to be concerned about as it’s just a natural part of any parrot, big or small’s, aging process.

What Is A Parakeet’s Favourite Color?

Red, yellow and orange are often the colors parakeets find to be most attractive. In fact parrots as a whole really those colors as these colors are what’s most tasty when it comes to food, most of the time that is.

Purple is another color they like however, there’s no exact science or brain reading machine that guarantees with absolute certainty a parakeet likes this or that color but, considering these are the colors parakeets most gravitate towards, it’s probable that red, yellow, orange and purple are up there as favourites.

One color I guess you could probably rule out is blue as they see it as a very dull color.

Do Parakeets Determine Mates Based On Their Color?

The color of a potential mate isn’t the biggest determining factor for parakeets choosing a mate. In fact female parakeets  are far more attracted to males that display high intelligence, particularly in situations where the male solves a puzzle the females themselves could.

This development follows suit to Charles Darwin theory stating mate choice may be as a by product of the cognitive ability of the opposite party as opposed just the beauty of ones physical appearance. That seems to ring true for parakeets, at least when it comes to the females.

Males obviously have to commit to a form of courtship, whether it be pecking the females beaks, grooming them, so and so forth.

Feather color can be influential on choosing one mate over the other, particularly if they are brighter or more vibrant but, it’s not a primary decider for mate choice.

Summary

I’m sure it’s pretty clear now if it wasn’t already that parakeets are not colorblind, in fact it’s probably more realistic to say we’re color blind in comparison.

Our eye biology only allows us to see 3 planes of color whilst parakeets with their fourth cone visual system can see colors spread within the ultraviolet spectrum, colors that we can only theoretically imagine.

This ability seems like a super power when you consider how useful it is in determining the nuances between block colored foliage along with showing the ripeness of a food source or even nearby danger.

References

https://www.littlepeckers.co.uk/s/how-do-birds-see-colour

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aau8181