A Lovebird is one of nine species of the genus Agapornis (Greek: αγάπη agape 'love'; όρνις ornis 'bird'). They are a social and affectionate small parrot. Eight species are native to the African continent, while the Grey-headed Lovebird is native to Madagascar. Their name stems from the parrots' strong, monogamous pair bonding and the long periods in which paired birds will spend sitting together.
Lovebirds live in small flocks and eat fruit, vegetables, grasses and seed. Black-winged Lovebirds also eat insects and figs, and the Black-collared Lovebirds have a special dietary requirement for native figs, making them problematic to keep in captivity.
Some species are kept as pets, and several color mutations were selectively bred in aviculture. Their average lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
Description
Lovebirds are 13 to 17 centimeters in length and from 40 to 60 grams in weight. They are among the smallest parrots, characterized by a stocky build, a short blunt tail, and a relatively large, sharp beak. Wildtype lovebirds are mostly green with a variety of colors on their upper body, depending on the species. The Fischer's Lovebird, Black-cheeked Lovebird, and the Masked Lovebird have a prominent white ring around their eyes. The Abyssinian Lovebird, the Madagascar Lovebird, and the Red-faced Lovebird are sexually dimorphic. Many colour mutant varieties have been produced by selective breeding of the species that are popular in aviculture.
Taxonomy
The lovebird genus comprises nine species of which five are monotypic and four are divided into subspecies. Eight of them are native in the mainland of Africa and the Madagascar Lovebird is native to Madagascar. In the wild the different species are separated geographically.
Traditionally, lovebirds are divided in 3 groups:
- 1. the sexually dimorphic species: Madagascar, Abyssinian, and Red-headed Lovebird
- 2. the intermediate species: Peach-faced Lovebird
- 3. the white-eye-ringed species: Masked , Fischer's, Lilian's, and Black-cheeked Lovebirds
However, this division is not fully supported by phylogenetic studies, as the species of the dimorphic group are not grouped together in a single clade.
Species and subspecies:
- Rosy-faced Lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis , — or Peach-faced Lovebird
- Agapornis roseicollis catumbella ,
- Agapornis roseicollis roseicollis ,
- Yellow-collared Lovebird, Agapornis personatus , — or Masked Lovebird
- Fischer's Lovebird, Agapornis fischeri , Reichenow, 1887
- Lilian's Lovebird, Agapornis lilianae , — or Nyasa Lovebird
- Black-cheeked Lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis ,
- Grey-headed Lovebird, Agapornis canus , — or Madagascar Lovebird
- Agapornis canus ablectaneus ,
- Agapornis canus canus ,
- Black-winged Lovebird, Agapornis taranta , — or Abyssinian Lovebird
- Red-headed Lovebird, Agapornis pullarius , — or Red-faced Lovebird
- Agapornis pullarius pullarius ,
- Agapornis pullarius ugandae ,
- Black-collared Lovebird, Agapornis swindernianus , — or Swindern's Lovebird
- Agapornis swindernianus emini ,
- Agapornis swindernianus swindernianus ,
- Agapornis swindernianus zenkeri ,
Species
Feral populations
Feral populations of Fischer's Lovebirds and Masked Lovebirds live in cities of East Africa. Also present there are intergeneric hybrids between these two species. The hybrid has reddish-brown on head and has orange on upper chest, but otherwise resemble the Masked Lovebird.
Aviculture
With their inclination to bond, they can form long-term relationships with people in tandem with their intra-species companions. Aggression is easily aroused in lovebirds, however, and biting may occur unless a bond is established with gentle handling. Provided with adequate space, a stimulating environment, and appropriate nutrition, a lovebird can become a cherished companion parrot. They love to snuggle and often preen their favorite people.
It is preferable to obtain birds bred in captivity, rather than birds caught from the wild. Wild birds may be harboring a disease, such as avian polyomavirus. Captured wild lovebirds also may mourn the loss of association with a mate or a flock. Their age is likely to be unknown, and they may have an unsuitable pesonality for domestication. Lovebirds are best kept in pairs, as their name suggests, although relationships with humans are then less likely to be as intense, whereas birds kept individually or brought up hand-fed, make very good pets. However, single birds require frequent attention to stay happy, and if the owner has limited time to spend daily with a single lovebird, it is preferable to grant the lovebird a companion of the same species, or a companion of another parrot species known to get along well with lovebirds. Lovebirds can become very interactive with humans, and when comfortable, will willingly perch on a finger or shoulders.
Some Lovebirds talk, but many will not: there is a chance they may learn to mimic human sounds if taught to do so at a young age. Lovebirds are noisy, with calls ranging from cheerily pleasant to highly irritating; in the wild, parrots must call to each other over long distances to keep flocks together, and it is through such signals that most of their communication is made. It's best to spend frequent, short periods of time with your lovebird, rather than having just one or two interactions every day.Breeding
Determining Lovebird sex is difficult. At maturity of one year, it may show signs of whether it is male or female, such as ripping up paper and stuffing it into its feathers (female behavior) or regurgitating for its owners (male behavior: the male feeds the nesting female). This behavior is a not a reliable indicator. Females have a larger pelvic space than males, in order to lay eggs, and therefore tend to be "wider in the hips." However, the only sure method is DNA testing. Companies exist that provide such service. The most important thing to consider when deciding to breed lovebirds is how much time and energy you have. Breeding birds need to be in top condition; first of all, they must be supplied a healthy diet with sufficient variety. A good pellet mix, or a high-quality seed mix are at best mere supplements to a wide variety of fresh vegetables, limited fresh fruits, and healthy grains. Note the "Diet" section, below, for a list of foods that present toxicity issues. In general, choose fresh vegetables such as baby carrots (cooked slightly for better assimilation of beta carotene), string beans, squash with yellow or orange flesh, peas, broccoli, zucchini, snow peas, sunflower sprouts, pea shoots, sprouted seeds and beans, (excellent for protein)and fresh (not canned) corn. If your bird is reluctant to try some of these, try sprouting their seed mix. It will be familiar to them and seeds are much healthier when sprouting (lower in fat, higher in amino acids for instance).
Grains: You can sprout many grains at home. Millet and quinoa are two popular grains to sprout. Also, cooked brown rice and cooked quinoa are relished by many parrots, though this should never be a major staple. Quinoa is a South American grain, so parrots from this region probably ate it in the wild. Any food you can duplicate from the natural environment is a candidate, after toxicity issues are understood. Vegetables should always comprise the largest portion of the diet . Grapes, cherries, and blueberries are suggested in limited quantities. Use organic fruits only, and wash well. If inorganic fruits and vegetables are used, be sure to wash well to remove contaminants, pesticides, and bacteria.
Lovebirds should not be bred unless they are a year old and sexually mature. Lovebirds sometimes do breed while still immature, but they are likely to be poor parents, or other problems can arise. If a lovebird is provided a mate, and a nesting box, then courtship and mating will result.
Breeding in lovebirds should occur during the warmer months of the year. Most lovebirds require a high humidity in the nest during incubation.While the female will do most of the work constructing a nest (nesting material must be made available), occasionally the male will assist. Lovebirds need extra moisture during breeding to create eggs, to guarantee good egg development, and then to feed the chicks with liquids and regurgitated food, so plenty of fresh water needs to be provided, along with more fresh fruits and vegetables than usual. All such products should be fresh: remove any scraps daily, to avoid bacterial infections. Check with breeders, your pet store, or your veterinarian concerning vitamin and mineral supplements, such as providing a mineral and salt block, and extra cuttlefish bones for more calcium.
For hatching and proper embryo development, recall that parrots breed in jungle-like conditions, using nesting material high in moisture. Place a mat of moistened peat or well-compressed, moist sphagnum moss in the base of the box.
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