In 2002 It was the rediscovery of the the Indigo-winged Parrot(Hapalopsittaca fuertesi), an enigmatic parrot that had been lost to the world for more than 90 years and continues being one of the birds more rare of the Earth. It has a plumage mainly yellowish-green and is highlighted by the blue of the crown and olive yellow tone of the forecrown (except a strip), cheeks and sides of the eyes, narrow strip in the forecrown, under abdomen and shoulders red. End of the wing
blue violet dark, tail Blue with red base.
The bill Horn colored with blue color, Grey at the base of the upper jaw. Iris Green-yellow.
The immature It has less yellow streaks and more off face.
Is a kind of range restricted, very rare and difficult to observe. It inhabits high Andean forests and frequent cloud subparamos, between 2600 and 3800 m on the level of the sea, being the majority of the records between 2.900 and 3.150 m. With guavas, encenillo and laurels where he eats fruits of thematapalo”, and with Oak (Quercus humboldtii).
Observed in fairly open forests, and possibly disturbed, with small Palm trees and tree ferns.
Fly in flocks of 6 to 25 individuals.
Reproduction:
It believes that the nests they make them in cavities of tall, mature trees.
The nesting period takes place from January to may. The average size clutch is three eggs. The incubation is performed only by the female, Although the attention back to the hatching is biparental (Díaz 2006).
Food:
The ecology of breeding and feeding of the Indigo-winged Parrot is practically unknown, but it has been observed the birds feeding of berries, and is likely to show a preference for the berries of mistletoe.
Distribution:
Size distribution (reproduction / resident): 100 km2
Restricted to a small strip on the western slope of the Andes Central of Colombia, near the border of the Quindio, Risaralda and Tolima.
Conservation:
• Current category of the Red List of the UICN: critically endangered.
• Population trend: Decreasing.
According to the categories of UICN is considered in Critical Hazard (CR), due to the accelerated process of deforestation in the Andean forests.
Since ago 90 years it was thought that the bird was extinct until it was rediscovered in 2002, When a few biologists of the ProAves Foundation in the montane forest of the municipality of Genoa, department of Quindío, where the group more large observed consisted of 25 birds and the total population was of approximately 60 individuals.
Currently there are some 300 mature free individuals.
Thanks to the efforts made by different project is have retrieved data of them fluctuations in the abundances of them individuals during the year associated to its reproduction. Is very likely that the offer of the artificial nests This already having a positive impact that the length of the project It has observed an increase in the size population.
– Avibase
– Parrots of the World – Forshaw Joseph M
– Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
– Birdlife
– proaves.org
– Parrot Book, Parrots and macaws Neotropical
The Black-winged Parrot(Hapalopsittaca melanotis) is distinguishable by the head almost all greyish blue, with blue-billed, ochre around the eye and back of the same black spot defined. Wings with large black patch and purple-blue ends; the tip of the tail blue. The subspecies Hapalopsittaca melanotis peruvianahead green, with the spot towards the back of the eye dark orange.
Habitat
Rare, Although most abundant in Bolivia. It lives in temperate inter-Andean valleys and humid montane forests., between 1500 to 2500 m.. (Occasionally a 3450 m.. in Peru). Usually in pairs or small groups. Seen mostly in pairs or in small groups of 3 to 25 birds. From time to time they gather in groups of up to 50 birds around their favored roosting.
Conservation
Not considered in any of the threat categories, It is very rare in captivity.
They have recorded for this species altitudinal migration, Depending perhaps on the fruiting, Since the fruit is their main source of food.
With reproduced in cavities of trees or places of nesting woodpeckers.
Inhabits intermittently to the East of the Andes, in the center of Peru and in the yunga of Bolivia.
The Red-faced Parrot(Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops) It is distinguishable by the intense red in face and pink magenta in shoulder.
Of bill Of course, yellow feathers on the sides of the neck, crown Green with more bluish back.
Dorsally, wing
with blue stain and end blackish; tail with blue border.
In flight, wing with armpit red, Blue-Green rest, tail Red with blue tip. Youth with the face less red.
Rare. It inhabits in the Woods high Andean, near fells, edges and secondary forests, from the 2400 to 3500 m. They are gregarious, usually in pairs or small flocks of 4 to 6 individuals, rarely more.
They are mostly sedentary. But, can arise some movements seasonal altitudinal.
Reproduction:
Nest in the cavities of trees in October-January; the laying of eggs in late November; the chicks are born in early December, and they leave the nest in late January.
Food:
They feed in the canopy of the forest.
Its diet includes outbreaks, flowers, berries and seeds.
Distribution:
Size of the area of distribution (reproduction / resident): 33.800 km2
Inhabits the southern Andes Ecuador and North end of Peru.
Conservation:
• Current category of the Red List of the UICN: Vulnerable.
• Population trend: Decreasing.
The population is estimated to be a number of 2.500-9.999 mature individuals.
Threats
Its decline is attributed to the destruction and fragmentation of habitat, largely through the conversion of burning forests to small farms (Jacobs and Walker, 1999).
Severe loss of this species can be expected due to deforestation and degradation of forests, by burning and grazing, on Cordillera de Chilla, Loja of Ecuador, although 1995 there were still extensive forest areas (Toyne and Flanagan 1997, Jacobs and Walker 1999).
"Red-faced Parrot" in captivity:
Unknown in the poultry.
Alternative names:
– Red-faced Parrot, Ecuadorian Parrot, Red faced Parrot (English).
– Caïque de Salvin, Caïque à face rouge (French).
– Salvinpapagei, Salvins Zwergpapagei (German).
– Red-faced Parrot (Portuguese).
– Lorito Ecuatoriano (español).
– Loro de Cara Roja (Peru).
The head of the Guaiabero(Bolbopsittacus lunulatus), is mainly green, strongly impregnated of color blue light around them eyes, in the lores, the chin and (vaguely) on throat. Mantle slightly of a green over dark that it crown, bordered above pale yellowish green.
Primary coverts blue; the others wing-coverts, greenish. The flight feather with the vane bluish external, alula bluish. Uppertail bright green, great coverts Underwing bordered with yellow; rest of the underwings with pale yellow bar in all vane internal of flight feather (except the primaries outermost). Underparts uniform Green, slightly paler which the upperparts. Tail closed from color green bright by over, pale blue below.
Bill greyish black; irises dark brown; legs gray.
The female much less blue sign in the face, and has yellowish the part back from the neck and rump, both showing darker scalloped.
Immature are like females, but with the bill lighter.
: (Parkes, 1971) – The male is like the intermedius, but with the plumage, in general, more yellow, above all in the underparts; face and neck nuchal darker and more bluish green; cheeks with less blue. The female as in the intermedius, but in general with more plumage yellow; rump and the nuchal collar more yellow and brighter. The youth adult females are.
Bolbopsittacus lunulatus intermedius
: (Salvadori, 1891) – The face male is dark blue tinged with purple; neck brilliant blue. Female bordered blue in the throat; cheeks pale green; Green more pale around them eyes; neck yellow-orange. The youth are like the female adult.
Bolbopsittacus lunulatus mindanensis
: (Steere, 1890) – The cheeks of the male are green, Blue around them eyes, Blue throat; neck darker and brighter blue than the lunulatus; yellow tint to green in the head. The female as of the lunulatus, but the head tinted yellowish-green. The youth adult females are.
Habitat:
It inhabits in open forests, forests and their surroundings, secondary vegetation, Savannah, farmland, gardens and mangroves, in the lowlands up to approximately 600 meters above sea level. Birds congregate in fruit trees sometimes in groups of up to 50 Member. Easier to detect in flight. While feeding they move silently and can be difficult to locate..
Reproduction:
The ecology of the species is poorly understood.. A female in breeding conditions It was observed during the month of March.
Food:
The diet includes fruit, especially the guavas (Psidium guajava)
Distribution:
Size of the area of distribution (reproduction / resident): 212.000 km2
The size of the world population It has not been quantified, Although estimated at more of 50.000 specimens. The species, according to sources, it is enough common in all its limited area of distribution (pit et to the. 1997).
The population suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence of any reduction or substantial threats.
"Guaiabero" in captivity:
Almost unknown in captivity.
Parrot quiet and gentle. Sensitive to stress and infections, primarily by protozoa. Strict hygiene is necessary to protect this species of infectious diseases. They must be kept in pairs.
Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
Birdlife
Photos:
(1) – Guaiabero (Bolbopsittacus lunulatus) By Luis V. Limchiu [CC BY-SA 3.0, GFDL or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
(2) – A painting of a green parrot by Edward Lear. It looks like a female Guaiabero (Bolbopsittacus lunulatus) Edward Lear [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
From between 13 and 15 cm in length and a weight between 25 and 31 g..
The Gray-headed Lovebird(Agapornis canus) has the head and the neck pale grey. Mantle and green scapulars; rump with a much brighter green than the rest of the tops. Upper, the wing-coverts green, alula dark. Flight feathers green above, darker towards tip and margins to the vane outer; grayish brown below. Under, the wing-coverts black. The throat to the top of the chest pale grey; low area chest up to the undertail- coverts pale yellowish green. Upper, the tail green, by bright side, with broad subterminal black band; undertail, the tail greenish-grey.
The upper jaw bluish white, the lower white pink; irises dark brown; legs pale grey.
The female has the head, neck and chest green; upperparts sometimes more brown than the male. Under, the wing-coverts green.
The immature adults resemble, but the gray hood the male is steeped in green, especially in the nape; bill yellow with black on the basis of upper jaw.
It notes that within the species Grey-headed Lovebird, given the presence of 2 subspecies, which are Agapornis canus canus (Gmelin); Agapornis canus ablectaneus (Bangs); However, not known no kind of mutation, What is something special in this genre, as usually, each species has different mutations, you change the color of its plumage.
Agapornis canus ablectaneus (Bangs, 1918) – Greener (less yellowish) below, head violet gray con held tinkles.
Agapornis canus canus (Gmelin, 1788) – The nominal species
Habitat:
In Madagascar They are in some wooded areas, palm savannas, forest edges, degraded forests, bush and farmland and rice paddies to altitudes 1.500 m. Use the clear in the dense forest along the mountainsides.
Observed in the vicinity of cities and towns and, often seen on the roads. Introduced populations show similar habitat preferences.
gregarious, usually in flocks of up to 50 birds, being able to concentrate in greater numbers in areas where food is abundant, sometimes it partnering with Madagascar Red Fody (Foudia madagascariensis), the Sakalava Weaver (Ploceus sakalava) or the Madagascar Munia (Lepidopygia nana). They often gather at communal roosts in the bare branches.
Sedentary.
Reproduction:
The nests of the Gray-headed Lovebird are treeholes; Inside the hole is lined with fragments of chewed leaves or wood chips and stalks of grass worn by females between body feathers.
Nesting They were recorded in the months of November and December in Madagascar. Probably they breed during the rainy season (November–April) in Comoros.
The laying is of 4-5 eggs, but up to eight they have been recorded in captivity.
The incubation, probably, the female performs single, lasts a few 23 days and the young leave the nest after about forty days.
Food:
The diet Gray-headed Lovebird consists, mainly, of grass seeds.
In Seychelles They have a preference for the crop pasto guinea (Megathyrsus maximus); in the Comoros islands by flower buds Stenotaphrum. They also eat rice out to dry around the villages and farms.
Distribution:
Madagascar It is the natural range of the Gray-headed Lovebird, where usually are common, especially in coastal regions, but today they are rare in eastern and absent or scarce in the central plateau.
In Seychelles, initially established extensively in Mahe but now confined to the suburbs around Victoria and some towns of the West Coast; small town, according to sources, in Silhouette.
Attempts to introduce them to other islands and in Africa have failed.
Subspecies distribution:
Agapornis canus ablectaneus (Bangs, 1918) – Arid lowlands of southwestern Madagascar, intergrades the species nominal about Beth kopaka and Ankavandra
Agapornis canus canus (Gmelin, 1788) – The nominal species
The size of the world population Gray-headed Lovebird It has not been quantified, but the species, according to sources, It common and it is generally Extended. (pit et to the. 1997).
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence of any reduction or substantial threats.
The species has undergone intense trade: from 1981 when it was listed in Appendix II of CITES, 107,829 wild-caught individuals They were recorded in international trade (UNEP-WCMC CITES Trade Database, January 2005).
After a total ban on exports from Madagascar, in recent years it has been possible to have some imported specimens.
,
"Gray-headed Lovebird" in captivity:
The Gray-headed Lovebird they are very rarely seen in captivity, Since this species it is not widespread today.
The Gray-headed Lovebird It is a pretty bird silent; active; often shy and elusive; Just get used to his caregiver patiently and in a gradual manner; newly imported birds, initially they are very susceptible; reared in aviaries not usually give complications; It hard chewer; enjoy bath; his voice is not too loud; communal aviary is not recommended because its something rowdiness; He tolerates only birds of the same species in large aviaries where you can implement your flight.
With regard to its longevity, they can live between 10 and 20 years.
Avibase
Parrots of the World – Forshaw Joseph M
Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
Birdlife
Photos:
(1) – A male Grey-headed Lovebird at Beale Park, Berkshire, England By Tony Austin (originally posted to Flickr as Parrot) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(2) – Grey-headed Lovebird, Ankarafantsika, Madagascar By Frank Vassen [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(3) – Grey-headed Lovebird or Madagascar Lovebird By OPi@Toumoto(Opi @ Tomoto) -> http://opi.toumoto.net (Self-photographed) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(4) – the whole family… by ZaR – ipernity
(5) – we Pedia
Origin: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda
Character: Take it easy, shy
Life expectancy: 18 years
Height: 13 to 15 cm..
Content
Description «Inseparable Red-faced»:
Among 13 and 15 cm in length and a weight between 29 and 50 g..
The Red-headed Lovebird(Agapornis pullarius) has the forecrown, the front of the crown and lores bright orange red; the back of the crown, nape, the mantle and scapulars bright green; rump bright light blue; uppertail-coverts They are bright green; undertail They are yellowish green. Upper, the wing-coverts they are bright green and gives the impression of being in relief; small area of ​​clear bright blue in the carpal joints. The primaries and secondaries Green in them vane external and blackish at the internal. Under, the wing-coverts they are black, underside of flight feather blackish. The chin and throat They are bright orange-red; rest of the underparts bright green (paler than the upper region). Central feathers of the tail green, the green side marked red and with a black subterminal band, yellow (or yellowish green) at the tips.
Bill red. The eye ring It is formed by a thin and small band of blue and white feathers; irises dark brown; legs gray or greenish gray.
The female of the Red-headed Lovebird has the head, the chin and throat with yellowish orange edges in the back. Under, the wing-coverts green.
The immature they are like the adult female, but the orange color head and throat It is yellower. Young males shows the black color wing-coverts undertail. The bill is reddish brown.
(Neumann, 1908) – Possibly you have blue color rump a shade lighter than the nominal species.
Habitat:
The Red-headed Lovebird They inhabit humid lowland savannahs., isolated patches of forests into savannas, Riverine forests, shrublands, and more open habitats, including abandoned plantations, cropland and pasture.
They prefer secondary forests and primary education, only in the vicinity of grassy clearings.
Usually live below 1.500 m altitude, until 2.000 metres in Uganda.
Shapes flocks of up to 30 birds, wandering in search of food and returning at sunset to their communal roost favorite.
In captivity, often they sleep hanging upside down.
Reproduction «Inseparable Red-faced»:
The Red-headed Lovebird are single birds with respect to the breeding. They build their nest in a tree cavity (generally excavated by a Woody Woodpecker), in some hole dug by arboreal ants or occasionally termiteros terrestre.
The nest It is a bed of hulls and shredded leaves, perhaps hardened excrement. The female, apparently, It is responsible for its construction.
The breeding season It covers the rainy season, when grass sowing is done. The laying compose from 3-6 eggs (sometimes more in captivity).
The chicks hatch without down.
“Inseparable Red-faced” Feeding:
The diet Red-headed Lovebird It is mainly composed of grass seeds, including cultivars (millet and sorghum).
They also feed, occasionally, of fruit (Psidium and Ficus).
Considered as plague serious of crops in some areas.
Distribution:
Size of the area of distribution (reproduction / resident): 8.360.000 km2
The Red-headed Lovebird They are widely distributed, but erratically through West Africa and central. There are records Guinea, North of Sierra Leone and North of Ivory Coast in the region of Boundiali and Tingrela; in Ghana, found in the north and east of the country, south and west around Acra. They are also observed in southern Togo and Benin and in parts of central and southern Nigeria, but apparently absent from the coastal regions.
Usually sedentary although some local migrations and nomadism have been recorded (for example, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania).
Its abundance varies widely: common in some areas (for example, flood plains Niger, Nigeria and Brazzaville, Republic of Congo), but only locally abundant (for example, Ethiopia):. Uncommon in many other areas (e.g Angola, South of Ghana – where apparently it is almost extinct – and West Kenya ). Its population also varies due to nomadic habits., but a true overall decline appears to have occurred in many areas in this century. Caught for the trade in live birds with large numbers in captive outside the range.
The size of the world population It has not been quantified, but the species, according to sources, in general it is quite rare and never reported as abundant, except locally on Ethiopia (pit et to the. 1997).
The population of the Red-headed Lovebird It is suspected that it may be in decline due to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of exploitation.
The «Inseparable Red-faced» in captivity:
Quite common to 1960, since then rarely available and difficult to find specimens that are not imported due to the difficulty of breeding them in captivity.
The Red-headed LovebirdLovebirds.
The Red-headed Lovebird they are birds calm and harmless; initially shy and huidizos; They can easily hit when excited; newly imported birds are susceptible; keep in small cages at first and place it in a quiet place; regularly manage complex with vitamina C; are not big chewers; in communal aviaries only species pinzones, because they can not compete with other species Lovebirds; changing diet or the establishment, only when absolutely necessary, to They are not very adaptable; immature susceptible to 10 months, after they are more resistant.
Being a bird with little success in breeding, no mutations are known about him.
With regard to its longevity, according to sources, a specimen lived for 18 years in captivity.
Alternative names:
– Red-headed Lovebird, Red headed Lovebird, Red-faced Lovebird (English).
– Inséparable à tête rouge, Inséparable à face rouge, Inséparable pullaria (French).
– Orangeköpfchen, Unzertrennlicher (German).
– Inseparavel de cabeca vermelha, Inseparavel-de-cabeca-vermelha (Portuguese).
– Inseparable Carirrojo, Inseparable de Cabeza Roja, Agapornis Pullaria (español).
– Avibase
– Parrots of the World – Forshaw Joseph M
– Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
– Birdlife
– Photos:
(1) – photo sent by Federico Antonio Herd Misantone – Agapornis.it
(2) – By H.v.d.Hoek. – gosenbenjamins.nl
(3) – 10 four young birds breeding pairs By HvdHoek. – gosenbenjamins.nl
(4) – MiAgapornis
(5) – female by ConservationIsGreat – Lynx
(6) – Agapornis pullarius (Red-headed lovebird) by John Gerrard Keulemans [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Of 16 cm in length and a weight between 49 and 66 g..
The Black-winged Lovebird(Agapornis taranta) has the forecrown, lores and feathers eye ring, red; rest of the head and nape green dyed brown. Mantle and green scapulars, rump and uppertail-coverts brighter green. Upper, the wing-coverts green with the exception of coverts outer primaries that they are black. Primaries blackish brown with a narrow green margin towards the vane outer; secondaries black. Under, the wing-coverts black. Chin and throat pale green tinged brown; rest of the underparts pale green. Central feathers of the tail green with toes in black, the green side with yellow in vane inner, subterminal black bar with green tips.
Bill red; irises dark brown; legs grey.
The female no red in the head, and feathers sometimes under the wings marked in green.
The immature are like females, with the bill yellowish. The Immature males show the color black feathers under the wings with red feathers scattered on the forehead.
Partially sympatric and very similar to Red-headed Lovebird (Agapornis pullarius) with which it has an throat red or orange (no verde) and rump blue (no verde). Usually found in small flocks on the tops of tall trees, where the plumage It blends well with the foliage. Its flight It is fast and direct.
Proposal subspecies Agapornis Taranta nanus (Southwest of Ethiopia) supposedly in bill smaller and wings shorter, but generally not accepted. Birds at higher altitudes are larger, but not subspecifically recognized. monotypic.
The Black-winged Lovebird, at high altitudes (1.800-3.800 m), They are linked, normally, mountain forests dominated Podocarpus, Juniperus, Hagenia and Hypericum; below , on the 1.400 m, They found in grassy savannas and forests Acacia, Combretum and Euphorbia; also frequent cultivated areas and peripheries of urban areas Addis Ababa.
gregarious, at least out of breeding season, when usually they found in small flocks (8-20) on the tops of the tallest trees, gathering in greater numbers when food is locally plentiful.
Used communal roosts in tree cavities (often old nests woodpeckers or bearded ethiopian).
The Black-winged Lovebird nest in tree cavities, in holes in walls and even in nests of some Baglafecht Weaver.
In captivity, female leads Nesting material (small pieces of branches, leaves and grass) put in almost any part of their plumage.
The Black-winged Lovebird it's the only one Lovebirds using their own pens to build nest.
The breeding season, according to sources, It between March and November. It is not clear if the egg laying is synchronized with the rainy season. Normally, starting up five eggs, but they can reach eight captive.
Inseparable Power Abyssinian:
The diet release of the Black-winged Lovebird It consists mainly fruit, including Ficus figs and berries juniper.
Perform seasonal movements in relation to food availability.
The Black-winged Lovebird It is not globally threatened, although it is included in Appendix II (Anexo B) of the CITES Convention.
It has a very small distribution area, so you have a greater risk of extinction because if their habitat is destroyed or uncontrolled catches are made can lead to extinction.
considered as crop pest in some areas, though not of great importance, they can become the object of chemical fumigations to avoid their attacks.
However they are more frequent since 1989, perhaps due to reduced sales of this species for the pet trade.
In the news they are not considered endangered, but we must not fail to protect them and avoid both habitat destruction and illegal capture.
The Inseparable Abyssinian in captivity:
Although not as common as other species of Lovebirds (Rosy-faced Lovebird or the Yellow-collared Lovebird), this handsome Lovebirds It has a very pleasant disposition.
They are more tolerant with others Lovebirds, provided they have enough space, and they are one of the least noisy species.
Dwelling, on freedom, high mountain areas, It is not surprising that the Black-winged Lovebird I can tolerate ambient outdoor aviary, as long as they stay out of drafts and temperatures are not too extreme.
birds are relatively resistant, similar to Fischer's Lovebird or the Yellow-collared Lovebird, although they are not as much as Rosy-faced Lovebird.
typical in all Lovebirds, the Black-winged Lovebird is very sociable and loves the companionship. Their natural behavior is to live closely with a partner / a.
Despite being a very sociable pet and tender, they will need a lot of attention if kept separate. The majority They are kept in pairs to satisfy his great need for constant companionship, acicalamiento mortgage, and socialization.
For reproduce in captivity You need tranquility and a spacious and equipped cage at least two nest boxes.
With regard to its longevity, according to sources, a living specimen 14,6 years in captivity. In captivity, these animals are known to breed, approximately, to the 2 years of age.
Alternative names:
– Black-winged Lovebird, Abyssinian Lovebird, Black winged Lovebird (English).
– Inséparable d’Abyssinie, Inséparable à ailes noires, Inséparable taranta (French).
– Tarantapapagei (German).
– Inseparável-de-asa-preta (Portuguese).
– Inseparable Abisinio, Inseparable de Frente Roja, Agapornis Taranta (español).
– Avibase
– Parrots of the World – Forshaw Joseph M
– Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
– Birdlife
– Photos:
(1) – Agapornis taranta – Black-winged Lovebird in the San Diego Wild Animal Park, California By Carlos Urdiales [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(2) – A male Black-winged Lovebird in a guava tree (eating semiripe) guavas, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia By Veli Pohjonen (Own photographing in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
(3) – A female Black-winged Lovebird in Ethiopia By Alastair Rae from London, United Kingdom (Black-winged Lovebird) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(4) – Inseparable from Abyssinia by avicue
(5) – Black-winged lovebird by mundoexotics
(6) – A painting of a male Black-winged Lovebird (also known as Abyssinian Lovebird) (originally captioned «Psittacula taranta. Abyssinian parrakeet») by Edward Lear 1812-1888 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Among 15 and 18 cm in length and a weight between 43 and 63 g..
The Rosy-faced Lovebird(Agapornis roseicollis) has the upperparts green, except in the rump and uppertail-coverts they are bright blue. The tail is green, but the side feathers are black base, orange-red edges and subterminal band black. The flight feather They have black tips.
The underparts They are pale green from the bottom of the chest up to the undertail-coverts. The feathers of the tail and flight feather son negruzcas.
The head, the forecrown and the part behind eyes They are red, while the face, the chin, the throat and the top chest They are pink.
The bill It is white with greenish-gray tint. The eyes are dark brown, surrounded by a eye ring white. The legs are grey.
Both sexes are similar.
The youth They are duller with forecrown green tinged with red rose. The face is pale pink to the top chest. The bill It has a black base.
Agapornis roseicollis catumbella (Hall,BP 1952) – Brighter colors, with the front of the crown a dark red and the cheeks Bright color.
Agapornis roseicollis roseicollis (Vieillot, 1818) – The species nominal
Habitat Rosy-faced Lovebird
The Rosy-faced Lovebird frequents dry woodlands fields altitudes up to 1.500 m. Sub-desert steppes observed, wooded savannah with scattered forest cover, forest belts along rivers and farmland; often near standing water.
Usually, in flocks of 5 to 20 birds, although sometimes as many as several hundred may gather in areas where grass seeds ripen or near water sources.
They are very sociable and noisy, but also pretty tame. When resent, They fly to the nearest tree or vegetation, before returning quickly to the food source.
They used as roosts, nests Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius) and the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali). Birds huddle in small groups in branches when the weather is rather cool.
Reproduction Rosy-faced Lovebird
The Rosy-faced Lovebird can pair off from two months of age. The male wait until the female accepts him before approaching. She adopts a "ruffled" position when she is ready.. The male It provides food, while balancing the head to get his attention. Also head scratching, especially around peak. When the male tries his approach, gently slides his hand. You can try out the other side if female It is shown aggressive.
The Rosy-faced Lovebird they are monogamous.
Nest in rock crevices, human constructions, bridges or communal nests Sociable Weaver (Philetairus socius) and the White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali). The nest It is made of straw and branches, as well as some other materials such as pieces of bark, leaves and herbs, carried by the female rump feathers. The nest of the weavers carries no additional material added. The nests are communal.
The breeding season It has been recorded in the months Feb-Mar, April and October; most clutches seem to take place in the months of February-May.
The female lays 4-6 eggs. The incubation lasts a few 23 days, What does the female do alone?. It is fed by the male during this period.. The chicks are fed by regurgitation female, but it is the male who carries food. The period in the nest It is close to the 5-6 weeks, during which both parents feed the young. Flying around the age of 43 days.
Food Inseparable de Namibi
The Rosy-faced Lovebird they feed on, mainly, seed, sometimes taken directly from the soil, including grasses, Albizia and Acacia; usually they do visits to gardens to feed on sunflower seeds to cropland for him millet and the corn.
Sean is not considered a serious pest for crops because agriculture is scarce in the inhabited regions. They also eat flowers Albizia and other foliage plants, such as leaves of the genus Euphorbia. You can drink several times a day.
Distribution:
Size of the area of distribution (reproduction / resident): 774.000 km2
The Rosy-faced Lovebird They are endemic areas southwestern africa. In Angola, where the range of Rosy-faced Lovebird It is little known, The species is found in the region Sumba (perhaps further north) to the south, in parallel to the shore area through Namibia north of Cape, South Africa, extending from the east to the north. In Namibia to Lago Me, Botswana, although there are no recent records of the species there.
A sighting 1992 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, suggests little-known eastern limits or nomadic behavior.
The main population Rosy-faced Lovebird It is within 400 km of Atlantic coastline. Records in the ancient province of Transvaal They are considered leaks. There is a wild population in the sector Fish Hoek of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.
Subspecies description:
Agapornis roseicollis catumbella (Hall,BP 1952) – Southwest Angola, with a population in the wild Kissama National Park Northwest of Angola.
Agapornis roseicollis roseicollis (Vieillot, 1818) – The species nominal
The size of the world population Rosy-faced Lovebird It has not been quantified, but the species is described as locally common or even abundant in the vicinity of areas where water is abundant.
However it is suspected that the population of the Rosy-faced Lovebird can be in decline due to unsustainable levels of exploitation.
There has been a historic decline due to the capture and export of thousands of birds from Angola, This has contributed, to a large extent, a significant reduction in the population Rosy-faced Lovebird in the south of that country.
The Rosy-faced Lovebird in captivity:
The small Rosy-faced Lovebird It is a brilliant bird, joyful, Robust and gregarious. It is one of the most common parrots in captivity, along with the Budgerigar and Cockatiel, because of its ease of maintenance and reproduction.
Birds are considered easy, ideal for people who want to start breeding small parrots. The Rosy-faced Lovebird They can live in a large aviary cage outdoors, including winter. But, they will need to have a frost shelter to shelter in when it gets too cold outside.
Son active birds they like to fly. If they have to live in a cage, this will have to be wide and longer than high (birds are not helicopters). Ideally, the bird should be able to leave its cage for a while in order to be able to fly greater distances..
Contrary to popular belief, the Lovebirds They can perfectly live without a partner. Why do sellers try to sell both?, It is a purely financial maneuver. One Lovebirds only, will not die.
Similarly, when we say that a Lovebirds He will die of sadness when you lose your partner, It is once again a commercial argument. The bird can pass through a period of mourning during which try to call your partner / yy shouts, even more so when the other members of the aviary belong to another species.
All parrots are aves gregarias and they depend on the group to survive. A widow bird accept another partner, previous adaptation before sharing the same cage. It is possible however, two birds never understand (which it is rare, with the Lovebirds).
To end this belief, the "couples" of Lovebirds They not necessarily have to be of the opposite sex. Homosexual couples are common among Lovebirds.
His behavior with birds of their own species is quite good or very good, It is not the same for their behavior with other species: the Rosy-faced Lovebird are restless and vengeful birds. Coexistence with other species is totally discouraged by the vast majority of poultry farmers: the peak of a lovebird can easily cut your finger or injure another bird, smaller and more peaceful.
In general, the Rosy-faced Lovebird they are birds, relatively, easy to educate, provided that taken from young. Son tame birds, loving, playful, sleepers, large pet birds. The bite related to its small peak is still very painful, especially in the soft fingers of children.
It is permissible to say that males are better pet birds than females. The breeding females are often within their hormonal period, making them very territorial. A sweet female domesticated before sexual maturity can be very aggressive to the point of not being manipulated when in hormonal period. Once again, this does not affect all birds, because there are always exceptions.
In general, to the Lovebirds, They are not considered good speakers.
Not recommended for people with incompatible squeals.
No sexual dimorphism in this species. The only way to know the sex of the bird is to carry out a DNA test using a blood or feather sample..
It is not known much about the longevity of the Rosy-faced Lovebird. according to some sources They can live up to 34.1 years in captivity, It is plausible, but it has not been confirmed. Age of sexual maturity of 2 months to almost a year.
Due to the depletion of stocks, in poultry in the early 20th century, It will be started hybridize with other species, but thanks to some breeders are you has been able to preserve in its pure State.
Mutations Agapornis roseicollis
Mutations
Mutations.
There are over 500 mutations or combinations of different colored. Mutations in genes lead to changes in the pigments that give color pens, such as psittacin (red, yellow or orange) or eumelanin (black, brown) or variations on feather structure. They may be sex-linked recessive mutations (They depend on the sex of birds) or autosomal recessive and dominant (irrespective of gender). Among the sex-linked mutations have: ino (known the lutino. There have eumelanin), cinnamon (produce eumelanin brown instead of black), Balls (quantitative reduction of melanin 60 %) andopaline (red psittacine of the mask has spread from the back of the head, the rump is the same color as the body). Also shows some combinations as are the pallidino (Only males, -pallid gene on one X chromosome and ino gene on the other X chromosome) and canela-ino (It is given by crosslinking between cinnamon and ino on the same chromosome and can be male and female). In all these mutations, females never carry the mutation. Years ago, the cinnamon cinnamones were called Americans and Australians palids cinamones or Isabelas.
Consider several crossings (to better understand the sex-linked mutations):
Crossing 1: Green x lutino male female = green and lutino male carrying female lutinas
Crossing 2: Green male x female = green Lutina carriers lutino males and green females
Crossing 3: Green male carrying female green x lutino = green and green lutino male carriers, Green and females lutinas
Crossing 4: Green male carrying female lutino Lutina x = green and lutino male carriers lutinos, Green and females lutinas
Crossing 5: Lutina x lutino male female = male and female lutinas
As autosomal recessive mutations have:
aqua (reducing a yellow psittacine 50 %)
turquoise (reducing a yellow psittacine 80-90 %)
aquaturquesa (combination thereof)
edged dilute (reduction of eumelanin 50 % in the body, in the center of the back and wing feathers eumelanin it is lower than in the edge, it seems that feathers are trimmed)
dilute (reduction of eumelanin 80-90 %, having a green veil over the whole body)
bronze fallow (It presents grayish brown eumelanin and red eyes)
pale fallow (greyish brown eumelanin sparingly, light green eyes and red veil in the abdomen)
recessive harlequin (reduction of eumelanin 95 %, smaller mask)
orange face (psittacin mask and tail is orange rather than red)
In these mutations, both males and females can be carriers. To be transmitted, or both are carriers or join a carrier with a mutated. Years ago, to dilute edged was called golden cherry and if it was combined with aqua, aquaturquesa or turquoise, silver cherry o plata.
As we autosomal dominant mutations:
dominant harlequin (reduction eumelanin and randomly scattered throughout the body)
pale headed (psittacine of the mask and the tail is light orange pink. Hay SF,factor simple y DF, double factor, ie more or less mask dark)
dark factor (a change occurs in the structure of the pen, in the spongy zone, so they look darker. There SF and DF, naming as a factor D and DD for two)
purple (a change occurs in the structure of the pen, in the spongy zone. We have SF and DF. The ideal is to combine a dark factor)
As discussed above, both headed as pale as dark violet factor are dominant incomplete, so we say what the single and double factors. In these mutations is mutated or not is, no carriers and being transmitted need only one parent to the present.
Is a type of harlequin which it is transmitted to different recessive and dominant form, is the progressive harlequin or mottle. The harlequin is increasing as the bird will be more adult, as it is getting older.
The mutation bee does not exist in the A. roseicollis. We have the combination of turquoise with ino, if they go selecting, we can get a completely white bird with red eyes, what would look like albino.
Apart from all these mutations, There is a variety called Long Feathered, of larger size and colors sharper the ancestral. It was obtained through years of selection, according to some or emerged spontaneously in some aviary, according to others and from there they began to work with them. Something similar happened with mandarins (Poephila guttata), Giant calling mandarins. So the variety would call if they have achieved by selection and mutation if they have arisen spontaneously.
Once you view the different mutations must say that several cases can occur, that make possible the multiple existing color combinations. They may have a recessive mutation with a dominant (edged dilute violeta), two or more mutations at the same time (turquesa edged dilute violeta arlequin DD), and it can even happen to have two different mutations and make the other not appreciated (normal and lutino lutino D or DD are exactly the same visually).
Source: The bird aviary
Alternative names:
– Rosy-faced Lovebird, Peach-faced Lovebird, Rosy faced Lovebird, Rosyfaced Lovebird (English).
– Inséparable rosegorge, Inséparable à face rose, Inséparable roseicollis (French).
– Rosenköpfchen, Rosenpapagei (German).
– Inseparável-de-faces-rosadas (Portuguese).
– Inseparable de Cuello Rojo, Inseparable de Namibia, Agapornis Roseicollis, Inseparable de Cara Melocotón (español).
– Avibase
– Parrots of the World – Forshaw Joseph M
– Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
– Birdlife
– Photos:
(1) – Peach-faced Lovebird in Namibia, Africa By Alastair Rae from London, United Kingdom (Rosy-faced Lovebird) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(2) – Picture taken in the zoo of Wrocław (Poland) By Nicolas Guérin (messages) (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(3) – A pet chick By Toumoto:http://opi.toumoto.net (Self-photographed) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(4) – Rosy-faced Lovebirds at Etosha National Park, Namibia By Brian Taylor from U.S.A (Rosy-faced Lovebirds) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(5) – Peach-faced Lovebirds (also known as the Rosy-faced Lovebird) eating seeds from a seed-block garden bird feeder in a garden in Scottsdale, Arizona, US By D. Patrick Lewis [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(6) – Mutation in roseicollis : opaline double dark factor By Roseicollis (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
(7) – Turquoise mutation By Sergi Bio (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
(8) – Mutations in Agapornis roseicollis yellow machine-readable By No author provided. Ajit S.~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
(9) – Peach-faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis). Pet on a perch. Shows blue rump feathers By Peter Békési (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons