Peach-faced Lovebird
(Agapornis roseicollis)
Lovebirds are one of the most popular groups of birds available to pet owners. Don’t let their size fool you! They are true parrots.
However, it is because they are small that they tend to be less expensive than full-size parrots and can be housed in relatively cheaper accommodations.
The nine species of lovebirds are all indigenous to Africa and Madagascar, the their name stems from the fact that pairs are very affectionate towards each other.
But this affection is rarely extended to others within their own species with whom they fight savagely during breeding seasons.
Lovebirds are able to cope with most climates, are resilient for their size and make ideal aviary birds because they are quiet, reliable breeders.
While inquisitive, lovebirds possess no talking ability, but make excellent pets and it is not unusual for them to live longer than ten years.
They are also popular exhibition birds and gaining a wider following among bird clubs and societies, which themselves are growing in number in the U.S.
L’uccelliera breeds three species of lovebird, the Peach-faced, Masked and Fischer’s.
The remaining species are collectively referred to as “the rares:”
Nyasa lovebird (agapornis Liliane )
Black-cheeked lovebird agapornis nigrienis
Madagascar lovebird. (Agapornis cana)
Abyssinian lovebird (agapornis taranta)
Red-faced lovebird (agapornis pullaria)
Black -Collared lovebird
Peach-faced Lovebird
Peach-faced Lovebirds are the most common Lovebird species in captivity and originate in Southwestern Africa in and around Namibia and Angola.
Peach-faced are the largest species of Lovebird, typically weighing from 50-60 grams.
Normally, the Peach-faced shows a beautiful array of colors. The wings and back are dark green, with a lighter green color on the lower breast.
The primary flight feathers have dark green on the leading edge, darkening to black near the wingtip, with the trailing edge of the primaries mostly black.
The face is a bright red-orange color, giving these birds their name. The rump is an iridescent turquoise-blue, and the beak is light brown.
Peach-faced have lively, inquisitive personalities, and handfed babies that are properly socialized can make delightful pets. Contrary to the popular myth, it is not necessary to keep Lovebirds as pairs.
In fact, single birds often make better pets, since in the absence of another bird they often become more closely bonded to their human companion. There are more color mutations in the Peach-face than in any other lovebird.
Among the mutations are the American Yellow, White-face Violets, the Pieds, Pastel Blue, the Dilutes Blue, and Green.
The latest mutations include the Australian Cinnamon and the Opalines in various colors. The Peach-faced nearly rivals the Budgerigar in terns of color-mutations and may eventually surpass it.