Lovebird

Taxobox
name = Lovebird
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1

---

image_caption =Peach-faced Lovebird eating from a tree
image_width = 300px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
subfamilia = Psittacinae
tribus = Psittaculini
genus = "Agapornis"
genus_authority = Selby, 1836
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = Nine - see text

Lovebird is the commonly used name for the genus, "Agapornis" (from the Greek αγάπη, "agape", for love, and όρνις, "ornis", for Bird), and can refer to any of the nine species of the genus. They are a social and affectionate small parrot. Eight species of the genus are native to the African continent and the Madagascar 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.cite book |first = David| last = Alderton | title = The ultimate encyclopedia of caged and aviary birds | isbn = 184309164X |pages= p. 216–219| publisher = Hermes House |location = London, England | year = 2003]

Description

Lovebirds vary in size from about 13 to 17 centimeters in length and from about 40 to 60 grams in weight. They are among the smallest parrots in the world, and they are characterized by a stocky build, a short blunt tail, and a relatively large beak for their overall size. Wild-type lovebirds are mostly green with a variety of colours on their upper body depending on the species. The Fischer's Lovebird, Black-cheeked Lovebird, and the Masked Lovebirds have a white ring around their eyes. The Abyssinian Lovebird, the Madagascar Lovebird, and the Red-faced Lovebird are sexually dimorphic. Many color mutations have been produced by selective breeding in 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.cite book |first = Kenny |last = Le Breton |title = Lovebirds...getting started |page =pp. 84–98 |isbn =0866224114 |publisher = T.F.H. Publictions |location = USA] 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.

Species and subspecies:cite web | url =http://www.zoonomen.net/avtax/psit.html |title = Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Psittaciformes (Version 9.004) |date =2008-07-05 |publisher = www.zoonomen.net ]

*Peach-faced Lovebird, "Agapornis roseicollis", (Vieillot, 1818) — or Rosy-faced Lovebird
** "Agapornis roseicollis catumbella", B.P. Hall, 1952
** "Agapornis roseicollis roseicollis", (Vieillot 1818)
*Masked Lovebird, "Agapornis personatus", Reichenow, 1887 — or Yellow-collared Lovebird
*Fischer's Lovebird, "Agapornis fischeri", Reichenow, 1887
*Lilian's Lovebird, "Agapornis lilianae", Shelley, 1894 — or Nyasa Lovebird
*Black-cheeked Lovebird, "Agapornis nigrigenis", W.L. Sclater, 1906
*Madagascar Lovebird, "Agapornis canus", (Gmelin, 1788) — or Grey-headed Lovebird
** "Agapornis canus ablectaneus", Bangs, 1918
** "Agapornis canus canus", (Gmelin, 1788)
*Abyssinian Lovebird, "Agapornis taranta", (Stanley, 1814) — or Black-winged Lovebird
*Red-faced Lovebird, "Agapornis pullarius", (Linnaeus, 1758) — or Red-headed Lovebird
** "Agapornis pullarius pullarius", (Linnaeus, 1758)
** "Agapornis pullarius ugandae", Neumann, 1908
*Black-collared Lovebird, "Agapornis swindernianus", (Kuhl, 1820) — or Swindern's Lovebird
** "Agapornis swindernianus emini", Neumann, 1908
** "Agapornis swindernianus swindernianus", (Kuhl, 1820)
** "Agapornis swindernianus zenkeri", Reichenow, 1895

pecies

Aviculture

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.

Provided with adequate flying space, a stimulating environment, and appropriate nutrition a lovebird can become cherished companion parrot. They love to snuggle and often preen their favorite people.

Like with any other pet, it is essential that the person makes sure the birds they are about to buy were bred in captivity, rather than caught from the wild. Besides conservational and ethical reasons, animals caught wild are more likely to get sick and to die. Lovebirds, especially when kept individually or brought up hand-fed, make very good pets. They can be very interactive with humans, and when comfortable, will willingly perch on a finger or shoulders. Lovebirds rarely talk, but there is a chance they may learn to mimic human sounds if taught to at a young age. Lovebirds have a fairly loud call.

Housing

Lovebirds require an appropriately sized cage or aviary. Recommended space per bird is 1mx1mx1m. They require lots of toys such as willow branches,swings and other things to chew on and play with. Lack of toys and social stimulation may lead to boredom behavioral problems. Lovebirds are extremely social birds, and will enjoy several hours of interaction a day. 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 need a human who will dedicate lots of time with them and take the place of companion lovebirds. They love to bath and sun themselves daily.

Diet

Lovebirds are African birds and require a variety of food, such as pellets, fruits (sweetcorn,apple), and vegetables (broccolli,carrot,mustardseed and watercress) and seed (a mix of 14 varieties is recommended,plus wild seeding grasses,sesame seed,etc). 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. Concentrated pellets specially made for birds provide a well-balanced diet. Birds should especially be exposed to a wide variety of foodstuffs when young.

Potential problems

Lovebirds are very vocal birds, making loud, high-pitched noises. Some make noise all day, especially during the first morning hours.Untamed birds will call even more than tame birds.

Lovebirds are also very active, and love to chew things. When they are flying within a household, it is wise to watch them carefully and protect any furniture, electrical wiring or anything else that they could possibly chew on.Try to place fresh willow or oak branches in a favorite spot to satisfy this natural behaviour.

Lovebirds are all of the genus Agapornis and can produce offspring with other lovebirds within the same genus. The cross-species hybrids are 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.Conversely, forced inbreeding(given a large choice lovebirds will not naturally inbreed) is also not recommended and will result in smaller, more infertile, poorly animals.

References

External links

* [http://www.lovebirds.co.nz/ Lovebird Mania]
* [http://roseicollis.net/ Roseicollis]
* [http://www.agapornis.info/ Lovebirds]