DID YOU KNOW?
Lovebirds are small but they make up for their lack of size by being quarrelsome and very bold.
Size:
15 cm (5.8 in)
Weight:
42-58 g (1.5-2 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
one
Colour Adult:
Both adults orange/red face; dull olive/green for rest of head; yellow upper breast and neck; dull blue upper tail coverts; green tail, the side feathers black at base with orange/yellow border and black band near tip. Beak red. Eye brown.
Colour Juvenile:
In general duller than adults. Upper mandible black at base.
Call:
Calls are high-pitched and twittering. Also whistling with sharp or melodious notes. Some calls shrill and harsh.
More 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 of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977.
ML Media Collection Catalogue 17967, Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri, Parker, Theodore A., III, Tanzania, Feb. 25 1980, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Site
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Psittacine Aviculture, Schubot, Clubb and Clubb, 1992.
Captive Status:
Common
Longevity:
15-20 yrs
Housing:
Aviary or suspended cage, indoors if in cold weather, minimum length 1.2 m (4 ft).
Diet:
Small seed mix such as: canary, millet and oats with a small amount of hemp; fruit such as: apple, pear, banana; green leaves such as: Swiss chard, lettuce, sowthistle, dandelion, chickweed; willow catkins; spray millet; rearing food (for young) consisting of: hardboiled egg, wholegrain bread and carrot, ground to crumbly consistency; complete pellet if taken.
Enrichment:
Enjoys climbing, provide play gym if possible with swings, ladders and ropes, puzzle and foraging toys. Enjoys bathing.
Nest Box Size:
Vertical box 6″ x 6″ x 6″ (15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm).
Clutch Size:
4-6
Fledging Age:
6 weeks
Hatch Weight:
—
Peak Weight:
—
Weaning Weight:
—
World Population:
290,000-1,002,000 individuals, moderately decreasing.
IUCN Red List Status:
Near Threatened
CITES Listing:
Appendix II
Threat Summary:
From the 1980s to the 1990s over 500,000 individuals were trapped for the wild bird trade. Hybridisation with A. personatus may be of concern. Range is restricted by reduced suitable habitat. Suffers from persecution.
Range:
Found in NC Tanzania, reaching E Rwanda and Burundi as occasional visitor. Introduced to Tanga and Dar es Salaam, coastal Tanzania and at Mombasa, Nairobi, Athi River, Naivasha, and Isiolo, Kenya.
Habitat:
Occurs from 1100 to 2200 m (3608-7216 ft) in wooded grasslands with Acacia and Commiphora trees and in more open grasslands with Adansonia. Also in agricultural areas. Seen in savanna with Acacia sp. and ground plants including Penisetum, Digitaria, Themeda and Eustachys grasses. Found in riverine woodland during dry season.
Wild Diet:
Eats grass seed such as Penisetum mezianum and weed Achyranthes asper, millet and maize, as well seeds of Acacia, fallen berries and fruits of Ficus capensis, Rhus villosa and Commiphora.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Found often near water in small groups outside the breeding season. Where food abundant will gather in more substantial flocks. Roosts in nest of Rufous-tailed Weaver.
Clutch and Egg Size:
4-6 rounded eggs, 23.5 x 17.0 mm (0.9 x 0.7 in)
Breeding Season:
January-July; nest cavity in dead trees, also sometimes in cliffs.
Related Links:
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