Lovebirds
Agapornis roseicollis
- IUCN StatusLeast concern
- PopulationUnknown
- DietHerbivore - eating mostly fruits, grains, seeds, vegetables/grasses.
- GroupAn orgy of lovebirds
- Size15-18cm long with an average wing span of 10.6 cm
- ContinentSouthwest Africa
- Lifespan5-15 years in wild and 10-20 years in captivity
- Weight40-60g
- HabitatDry open countryside
- Scientific NameAgapornis roseicollis
Meet the Lovebirds
While lovebirds are true parrots, they are one of the smallest members of the parrot family. On average, most lovebirds fall between 15 and 18cm in length at maturity, when measured from the beak to the end of the tailfeathers.
The nine species classified as lovebirds all come from the genus Agapornis. Most lovebirds have a green body and sport different head feather coloration.
The famous peach-faced lovebirds (as found at Wolds Wildlife Park) exudes a big personality in their tiny body. These amazing lovebirds thoroughly enjoy their playtime and interact positively with their human family members. They are known for their busy beaks and can tear up anything near them.
The peach-faced lovebirds get their unique name from their distinct facial colour. Unlike most parrot species, these lovebirds have a peach or rosy pink throat and face. Their color darkens as their plumage reaches their forehead, where it changes to red or orange colour.
Introducing....
Our orgy of lovebirds at Wolds Wildlife Park
Did you know?
Read on for some interesting facts about these cheeky little parrots.
Where do lovebirds live?
Lovebirds are cavity dwellers they make their home in holes in trees, rocks or shrubs in the wild. Some species nest in groups, while others pair off to build their nests away from the flock. In urban settings, they might rely on anything from a tree to a crevice in a building.
How do lovebirds sleep
Lovebirds are renowned for their sleep position in which they sit side by side and turn their faces in towards each other
Where are lovebirds from
Lovebirds are native to the forests and savannas of Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Fossils of ancient lovebird species have been unearthed in South Africa, dating to as far back as 1.9 million years ago.
However, lovebirds have been spotted on backyard bird feeders in parts of the world (ie USA -American southwest or San Francisco). These areas have become home to feral populations, flocks that likely either escaped from an aviary or are the remnants of an abandoned aviary.
Why are lovebirds called lovebirds?
The name means “birds that love each other” and it’s fitting because these creatures have a strong pair bond. It starts with a courtship ritual where the male expresses his love by pecking. Then, a pair of male and female is formed and they will be linked for life.
Can lovebirds talk?
Communication between lovebirds is common, meaning that they talk to one another a lot but may not always talk to people.
The peach-faced lovebirds are not known to mimic human words, although they have been known to excel at mimicking sounds and whistling songs they hear from their surroundings. Very occasionally they can be taught to "speak" with a lot of patience and a good training technique.
Lovebirds do chatter a lot between themselves and produce several noises that have different meanings, which include:
- Growling when irritated
- Chirping when talking to everyone around them
- Screaming when annoyed
- Screeching when confused
- Crooning when pairing and as part of their mating ritual
- Whistling when happy
