Dominant pied budgies usually have a distinct pattern. There is always a band of clear body feathers across the lower-mid belly. This band can be very small to very large, encompassing almost the entire belly area. This band can also sometimes be irregular, not forming a complete band across the belly. There is also a band of clear feathers across the bottom of the wings. This band can be restricted to the very lower wing feathers or cover almost the entire wing area. Dominant pieds also always have a patch of clear feathers on the back of the head, usually about the size of a dime.

Genetically double-factor dominant pieds are different from the usual described above. Double-factor dominant pieds have very little markings; most of their feathers are clear. You can see examples of this below.

The irises of a dominant pied budgie turn light with maturity. This is a key factor in telling the difference between a dominant pied and a recessive pied, since recessive pieds' eyes stay a dark plum color throughout their life.

Basic Genetics:
Dominant Pied - dominant
Normal - recessive
Details on dominant pied genetics...

The dominant pied variety has a clear zone across the bottom of the wings.	The band across the dominant pied's wings and belly can be very large.	The band across the dominant pied's wings and belly can also be very small.

	photo of "Salty" submitted by Jaena
The clear band on a dominant pied can be an irregular pattern, as seen on the budgies above.		These budgies are genetically double-factor dominant pieds. They are almost all clear.