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Lovebird
Fischer's Lovebird
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Subfamily: Psittacinae Tribe: Psittaculini Genus: Agapornis Selby, 1836
Species
Nine - see text Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Binomial name Agapornis fischeri Reichenow, 1887 The Fischers lovebird (Agapornis fischeri, synonym Agapornis personata fischeri) is a species of bird in the parrot family. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Families Cacatuidae Psittacidae The order Psittaciformes (Parrots) includes about 353 species of bird which are generally grouped into two families: the Cacatuidae or cockatoos, and the Psittacidae or true parrots. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Parrot. ... Tribes Psittrichadini Cyclopsittacini Polytelini Psittaculini Psittacini The Psittacinae is a subfamily in the parrot family Psittacidae. ... Families Cacatuidae Psittacidae Parrots or Psittacines (order Psittaciformes) includes about 353 species of bird which are generally grouped into two families: the Cacatuidae or cockatoos, and the Psittacidae or true parrots. ... Prideaux John Selby (1788 - 1867) was an English ornithologist, botanist and artist. ...

Lovebird is the commonly used name for the genus, Agapornis (from the Greek agape, for love, and ornis, for Bird), and can refer to any of the nine species of the genus. They are a very social and affectionate parrot. For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Systematics (but see below) Family Cacatuidae (cockatoos) Subfamily Microglossinae (Palm Cockatoo) Subfamily Calyptorhynchinae (dark cockatoos) Subfamily Cacatuinae (white cockatoos) Family Psittacidae (true parrots) Subfamily Loriinae (lories and lorikeets) Subfamily Psittacinae (typical parrots and allies) Tribe Arini (American psittacines) Tribe Cyclopsitticini (fig parrots) Tribe Micropsittini (pygmy parrots) Tribe Nestorini (kakas and...

The name Lovebird stems from these birds' bright, caring personalities. This is reflected by the bird's name in other languages: in German, "die Unzertrennlichen," and in French "les inséparables"- "inseparables." For this reason, many people feel strongly that lovebirds in captivity should be kept in pairs. Others believe that lovebirds, like other parrots, are social animals who can bond with human companions when given care and ample attention. Recommended foods include a pellet based diet along with fruits, vegetables and grains.

Lovebirds are about 13-17 centimeters in size, 40-60 grams in weight and are characterized by a small, stocky build and a short, blunt tail. This puts them among the smallest parrots in the world, although their beak is rather large for their overall size. Most lovebirds are blue, green, or lutino, although color mutations can feature many different colors. Some lovebird species, like Fischer's, black cheeked, and yellow collared lovebirds, have a white ring around the eye. Their lifespan is said to be 10 to 15 years.

Pets

Lovebirds have the potential to make great pets for those who have the patience and time required of any parrot species. Because of their inclination to bond, they can form great long-term relationships with people. Lovebirds are healthier and more energetic than some other parrot species.

Provided with space, toys, and love, lovebirds can become cherished companions. They love to snuggle and often preen their favorite people. Because of their tendencies to want to be close and snuggle you have to be careful not accidentally squish your lovebird. Unfortunately this is a very common accident among lovebird owners. Another important tip for lovebird owners is to regulate the amount of time spent with them. If you devote hours per day to your lovebird for several weeks because it's new and exciting and then cannot for some reason you can end up with a very temperamental lovebird on your hands.

Species and habits

Phylogeny of the genus Agapornis based on existing molecular evidence.^[1] The species with the red line is currently unplaced in the phylogeny, but does belong to this genus.

Eight of the different species come from the mainland of Africa. The ninth species, Agapornis canus, originates from Madagascar. In the wild the different species are separated geographically. Lovebirds live in small flocks and eat mainly fruit, vegetables, some grasses and seed. Black-winged Lovebirds also enjoy insects and figs. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Vegetable (disambiguation). ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... Species About 800, including: Ficus altissima Ficus americana Ficus aurea Ficus benghalensis- Indian Banyan Ficus benjamina- Weeping Fig Ficus broadwayi Ficus carica- Common Fig Ficus citrifolia Ficus coronata Ficus drupacea Ficus elastica Ficus godeffroyi Ficus grenadensis Ficus hartii Ficus lyrata Ficus macbrideii Ficus macrophylla- Moreton Bay Fig Ficus microcarpa- Chinese...

Only some of the lovebird species are sexually dimorphic. This includes the Abyssinian Lovebird, the Madagascar Lovebird, and the Red-faced Lovebird. However, colour mutation is common in other species of Lovebirds. Female (left) and male Common Pheasant, illustrating the dramatic difference in both color and size, between the sexes Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species. ...

Species list

There are a total of 9 different species in the genus Agapornis: For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ...

• Peach-faced Lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis
• Masked Lovebird, Agapornis personatus
• Fischer's Lovebird, Agapornis fischeri
• Lilian's Lovebird or Nyasa Lovebird, Agapornis lilianae
• Black-cheeked Lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis
• Madagascar Lovebird, Agapornis canus
• Abyssinian Lovebird, Agapornis taranta
• Red-faced Lovebird, Agapornis pullarius
• Black-collared Lovebird, Agapornis swindernianus

[[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name Agapornis roseicollis (Vieillot, 1818) Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} {{{subdivision_ranks}}} {{{subdivision}}} [[Image:{{{range_map}}}|{{{range_map_width}}}|]] Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} The Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) also known as the Peach-faced Lovebird is a species of Love Bird which is often kept as a pet. ... Binomial name Agapornis personata The Masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) is a bird species in the parrot family. ... Binomial name Agapornis fischeri Reichenow, 1887 The Fischers lovebird (Agapornis fischeri, synonym Agapornis personata fischeri) is a species of bird in the parrot family. ... Binomial name Agapornis lilianae (Selby, 1836) The Lilians Lovebird also know as Nyasa Lovebird (Agapornis lilianae) is rare and endemic to Malawi. ... Binomial name Sclater,WL, 1906 The Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis. ... Binomial name Agapornis cana (Gmelin, 1788) The Grey-headed Lovebird or Madagascar Lovebird (Agapornis cana) is a species of parrot. ... Binomial name Agapornis taranta (Stanley, 1814) The Abyssinian Lovebird, Agapornis taranta also known as Black-winged Lovebird is a species of parrot. ... Binomial name Agapornis pullarius (Linnaeus, 1758) The Red-headed Lovebird or Red-faced Lovebird Agapornis pullarius. ... Binomial name Agapornis swindernianus (Kuhl, 1820) The Black-collared Lovebird, Agapornis swindernianus also known as Swinderns Lovebird is a small, up to 13cm long, parrot in the genus Agapornis. ...

Species photographs

The wild-type adults are shown. There are also many colour mutants that are bred for the pet trade.

Wild-type adults

Peach-faced Lovebird [[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name Agapornis roseicollis (Vieillot, 1818) Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} {{{subdivision_ranks}}} {{{subdivision}}} [[Image:{{{range_map}}}|{{{range_map_width}}}|]] Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} The Rosy-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) also known as the Peach-faced Lovebird is a species of Love Bird which is often kept as a pet. ...	Masked Lovebird Binomial name Agapornis personata The Masked lovebird (Agapornis personata) is a bird species in the parrot family. ...	Fischer's Lovebird Binomial name Agapornis fischeri Reichenow, 1887 The Fischers lovebird (Agapornis fischeri, synonym Agapornis personata fischeri) is a species of bird in the parrot family. ...
Lilian's Lovebird or Nyasa Lovebird (Image requested) Image File history File links Image-request. ... Binomial name Agapornis lilianae (Selby, 1836) The Lilians Lovebird also know as Nyasa Lovebird (Agapornis lilianae) is rare and endemic to Malawi. ...	Black-cheeked Lovebird Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name Sclater,WL, 1906 The Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis. ...	Madagascar Lovebird (male) Binomial name Agapornis cana (Gmelin, 1788) The Grey-headed Lovebird or Madagascar Lovebird (Agapornis cana) is a species of parrot. ...
Abyssinian Lovebird (male with red head) Binomial name Agapornis taranta (Stanley, 1814) The Abyssinian Lovebird, Agapornis taranta also known as Black-winged Lovebird is a species of parrot. ...	Red-faced Lovebird (male with larger red area) Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name Agapornis pullarius (Linnaeus, 1758) The Red-headed Lovebird or Red-faced Lovebird Agapornis pullarius. ...	Black-collared Lovebird museum specimen Binomial name Agapornis swindernianus (Kuhl, 1820) The Black-collared Lovebird, Agapornis swindernianus also known as Swinderns Lovebird is a small, up to 13cm long, parrot in the genus Agapornis. ...

Aviculture

Like with any other pet, it is essential that one makes sure the birds that one is about to buy were bred in captivity, not wild caught. Besides conservational and ethical reasons, wild caught animals are more likely to get sick and to die. Lovebirds, especially when kept individually or brought up hand-fed, make very good pets. Lovebirds can be very interactive with humans, and when comfortable around humans, will willingly perch on a finger or shoulders. Lovebirds rarely talk, but there is a chance they may learn to mimic human speech if taught to at a young age.

Housing

Lovebirds require an appropriately sized cage. Usually the minimum for a single bird is 20"x20"x20". They require lots of toys and things to chew on and play with, or will soon become bored and develop behavioral problems. Lovebirds are extremely social birds, and require several hours of interaction a day if kept singly. They need social interaction, be it with conspecifics or human companion, for their emotional as well as physical well-being. Without this interaction, daily exercise, a roomy cage, and many toys to play with, they may resort to feather-plucking or other behavioral problems. They don't necessarily need the companion of another lovebird, as the myth says. They do, however, need a human who will dedicate lots of time with them and take the place of the other lovebird. They love to take baths almost every day and may sun themselves after bathing in order to dry. A cage designed for medium-large parrots, with a playtop. ...

Diet

Lovebirds require a variety of food, such as pellets, fruits, and vegetables. As a regular food, pellets are recommended, as the millet food generally sold in pet stores has too much fat in it and is not a significant source of nutrition. Pellets specially made for birds provide a well-balanced diet. Fresh greens are also extremely beneficial if not essential.

Family of four lovebirds

A family of four lovebirds. ... A family of four lovebirds. ...

Potential problems

Lovebirds are very vocal birds, making loud, high-pitched noises. Some make noise all day, especially during the first morning hours.

Lovebirds are also very active, and love to chew things. When they are let out of their cage, it is wise to watch them carefully and protect any furniture, electrical wiring or anything else that they could possibly chew on.

Lovebirds are all of the genus Agapornis and can produce offspring with other lovebirds within the same genus. The cross-species hybrids are often sterile. It is recommended to only place birds of the same species together, or of the same sex, for the sake of the potentially faulted hybrid offspring.

References

The Auk is a quarterly journal and the official publication of the American Ornithologists Union, having been continuously published by that body since 1883. ...

External links

• Lovebird Mania
• Lovebirds
• Peach faced lovebirds
• www.roseicollis.info (French website)