Black-cheeked Lovebird |
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Also known as: Black-faced Lovebird
Wild Black-cheeked Lovebirds
© Nik Borrow [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr
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Because the agricultural potential of the lands where this species is from is poor the possibility of large-scale habitat loss due to cultivation and expansion is not impending.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Agapornis nigrigenisSpecies Profile
Genus: Agapornis | Species: nigrigenis
Size:
13-14 cm (5-5.5 in)
Weight:
40g (1.4 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Both adults dark face with olive coloured nape; green body and rump; pinkish/rust patch on chest; tail green. Bold white eye-ring, dark eye. Red bill.
Colour Juvenile:
As in adult but with dark green underparts; black at base of bill.
Call:
Shrill and high-pitched chattering.
Video Links:
Video 1More Information:
Content Sources:
CITES
BirdLife International
A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi and Grajal, 2000.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977, 1989.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.
Wild Black-cheeked Lovebirds
© Nik Borrow [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
Because the agricultural potential of the lands where this species is from is poor the possibility of large-scale habitat loss due to cultivation and expansion is not impending.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Agapornis nigrigenisSpecies Care
Captive Status:
Rare in aviculture.
Longevity:
20 yrs
Housing:
Cage or aviary, indoors or outdoors, minimum length 1.2 m (4 ft).
Diet:
Mixture of small seeds (canary, millet and oats); fruits such as apple, orange, banana; vegetables such as green leaves, carrot, celery, green beans and peas in the pod; spray millet; complete kibble.
Enrichment:
Loves baths, fir tree and other branches, wood toys, swings, ladders, mirrors, vegetable tanned leather chewable toys. Very adventurous when let out so make sure it is safe (no open water, hot stove, toxic plants).
Nest Box Size:
Vertical box, 6" x 6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm x 15cm).
Clutch Size:
4 to 6
Incubation Time:
23 days
Fledging Age:
6 weeks
Hatch Weight:
Not recorded.
Peak Weight:
Not recorded.
Weaning Weight:
Not recorded.
Wild Black-cheeked Lovebirds
© Nik Borrow [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
Because the agricultural potential of the lands where this species is from is poor the possibility of large-scale habitat loss due to cultivation and expansion is not impending.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Agapornis nigrigenisSpecies Wild Status
World Population:
About 10,000
IUCN Red List Status:
Vulnerable
CITES Listing:
Appendix II
Threat Summary:
A BirdLife 'restricted-range' species. Affected by trapping for the wild bird trade; also habitat loss and drought conditions and changing agricultural practices (from sorghum to maize).
Range:
Highly restricted range, from southern Kafue National Park, southwestern Zambia along Zambesi valley to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Habitat:
Found in mopane and Acacia woodland; also occurs in riparian forests and areas with fig trees. Found at 600-1000m (1968-3280 ft).
Wild Diet:
Forages for seeds including: Amaranthus, Rottboellia exaltata, Rhus quartiniana, Albizia anthelmintica, Combretum massambicense and Syzygium guineense, and grass seeds Hyparrhenia and Eragrostis; also young leaves of Pterocarpus antunesiana, grain, flowers, buds, young leaves and berries.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Generally stays near water source, found in flocks of up to a few dozen birds. May roost communally.
Clutch and Egg Size:
4 to 6, slightly elliptical, 21.5 x 16 mm (0.8 x 0.6 in).
Breeding Season:
November–December in Zambia; nesting is in large mopane trees.
Wild Black-cheeked Lovebirds
© Nik Borrow [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
Because the agricultural potential of the lands where this species is from is poor the possibility of large-scale habitat loss due to cultivation and expansion is not impending.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Agapornis nigrigenisMembers Only Resources
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