Cinnamon

Origin: Cinnamon is the fourth established mutation. Mr. Van Otterdijk, of Belgium, established the Cinnamon mutation in 1967.

The Cinnamon mutation is a result of an altered gene that reduces the melanin, thus contributing to a brown to tan color. In affect, what this altered gene does is to stop the brown pigment from changing to grey or black. The amount (quantity) of pigment does not change, just the color of it. What remains shows no presence of grey or black pigments. This altered pigment is also seen on the beak, feet, and eyes. Cinnamons can vary quite widely in depth of coloration, with adult cocks being darker because of the natural presence of more melanin in their plumage. A warm, even shade of Cinnamon is desirable. The legs, beaks and toenails are lighter in coloration than those of Normal cockatiels.

Sexing is simple after the first molt, with cocks acquiring solid, dark rather than barred undersides to their tail feather, loss of body barring, and the yellow facial mask similar to adult normal grey cocks.

Sometimes you tell upon hatch if a chick is going to be Cinnamon. The eyes will appear as a plum color, and can be mistaken for a lutino, but within a couple days the eyes will darken and appear like a Normal Grey.

Unlike the Normal Grey the feet will not get dark colored, but more of a light pinkish tan color with brown nails. The iris of the eye is brown, the pupil black on hens, and a reflective wine color on cocks. Cocks that are split to Cinnamon will have a reflective wine colored pupil. This can be seen by shining an indirect light at the eye.

Cinnamon is a mutation that should not be crossed with melanin reducing mutations such as Emerald, Dominant Silver, Recessive Silver, or Fallow. In most cases, it can either mask or darken these mutations making them harder to identify. See the illustration below

Not a commonly known fact, but the Cinnamon mutation is photosensitive to natural sunlight.  During the summer months exposure to strong sunlight may fade the color resulting in a mottled or variegated pattern to the back of the bird.  During the winter months, when the sunlight is weaker the bird will molt back to it true coloration.  The new feathers will contrast against the faded, photosensitive feathers.  The effect is quite striking