How can you tell the difference between a normal and opaline budgie?

Here are some of the common differences between these 2 mutations with pictures to help you identify each mutation. Look at the head, shoulder, wing and main tail feathers for the best indications of which mutation your budgie is.

Normals will have a white or yellow edge to the wing feathers, with little to no body color intrusion. Opalines will have the body color mixed in as well with the wing markings. They will also have a "V" area of lighter or no markings at all between the shoulders, as well as lighter head and neck barring.

Normal Grey Yellowface

Normal Grey Cinnamon

Opaline Grey Yellowface

Opaline Grey Cinnamon

All budgies have a small white area on the primary flights, but the opaline mutation causes a larger area of white on the primary flights.

Normal Cinnamon 

Normal Cobalt
Violet

Opaline Cinnamon

Opaline Cobalt Violet

Normals should have a solid color tail. Many opalines will have a streak of body color down the middle of their main tail feathers.