WikiLovebird is the commonly used name for any of the 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; the Grey-headed Lovebird is native to Madagascar.
The name Lovebird stems from these parrots' strong, monogamous pair bonding and the long periods of time in which paired birds will spend sat beside one another. This is reflected by the bird's name in other languages: in German, "die Unzertrennlichen", and in French "les inséparables", both meaning "the inseparables".
Lovebirds live in small flocks and eat mainly fruit, vegetables, some grasses and seed. Abyssinian Lovebirds also eat insects and figs, and the Black-collared Lovebirds have a special dietary requirement for native figs making them almost impossible to keep in captivity.
Some species of the genus are amongst the most popular parrots kept as pets, and several colour mutations have been selectively breed in aviculture. Their average lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
Masked Lovebird
or Yellow-collared Lovebird
(Agapornis personata)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]14 cm (5.5 in) long. Mostly green, black head, yellow upper chest continuous with yellow collar, red beak, white eyerings.
Fischer's Lovebird
(Agapornis fischeri)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]14 cm (5.5 in) long. Mostly green, orange upper body and head, blue lower back and rump, red beak, white eyerings.
Lilian's Lovebird
or Nyasa Lovebird
(Agapornis lilianae)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]13 cm (5 in) long. Mostly green including green back and green rump, orange head, red beak, white eyerings.
Black-cheeked Lovebird
(Agapornis nigrigenis)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]14 cm (5.5 in) long. Mostly green, brownish-black cheeks and throat, reddish-brown forehead and forecrown, orange upper chest, red beak, white eyerings.
Peach-faced Lovebird
or Rosy-faced Lovebird
(Agapornis roseicollis)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]15 cm (6 in) long. Mostly green, orange face, blue lower back and rump, horn-coloured beak.
Abyssinian Lovebird
or Black-winged Lovebird
(Agapornis taranta)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]16.5 cm (6.5 in) long. Mostly green, red beak, some black wing feathers. Sexual dimorphism: only the male has red on forehead and crown, females plumage is all green.
Red-headed Lovebird
or Red-faced Lovebird
(Agapornis pullarius)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]15 cm (6 in) long. Mostly green with red on upper neck and face. Sexual dimorphism: the male has more extensive and a darker red on face and head, and the male has a darker red beak than the female.
Grey-headed Lovebird
or Madagascar Lovebird
(Agapornis canus)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]13 cm (5 in) long. Mostly green with darker green on back, pale grey beak. Sexual dimorphism: male has a grey upper body, neck and head.
Black-collared Lovebird
or Swindern's Lovebird
(Agapornis swindernianus)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]13.5 cm (5 in) long. Mostly green, brown collar which has a black upper margin at the back of the neck, dark grey/black beak
Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:10 pm
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