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Meet the African Lovebird

The Lovebirds are a genre of true Parrots native to the African continent. At 13 to 17 cm in length and 40 to 60 g in mass, they are among the smallest parrots, characterized by a stocky build, a short blunt tail, and a relatively large, sharp beak. Their name comes from the especially strong bond that they form with their mates and/or human companions. Their small size, bright colours, and exceptional intelligent make them popular pets worldwide.

Geographic separation has resulted in nine distinct species that make up the Lovebird genus (Agapornis); they are:

Peach-faced (Rosy-faced) Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis)
Abyssinian (Black-winged) Lovebird (Agapornis taranta)
Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri)
Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis)
Masked (Yellow-collared) Lovebird (Agapornis personatus)
Nyasa (Lillian’s) Lovebird (Agapornis lilianae)
Madagascar (Grey-headed) Lovebird (Agapornis canus)
Red-faced Lovebird (Agapornis pullarius)
Black-collared (Swindern’s) Lovebird (Agapornis swindernianus)

All nine species are found in aviculture however, in North America, the Peach-faced, Fischer’s, Masked, and Nyasa are most commonly found. Although no lovebirds are classified as endangered, some species are threatened by loss of habitat; all birds in Canada are required to be captive bred and not wild caught.

Like most parrots, lovebirds do just as much walking and climbing as flying, they accomplish this using their strong, hooked bill, and dexterous zygodactyl (two toes front, two toes back) clawed feet.

Although originally endemic to the African continent, escaped pets have resulted in feral populations in many areas around the world. Phoenix Arizona in particular is known for its large colonies of Peachfaced Lovebirds that have adapted to suburban life.

Like all other psittaciformes, lovebirds are highly intelligent and socially complex. Some researchers estimate their intelligence to be equivalent to that of a human toddler. Although lovebirds do share the parrot’s famous penchant for mimicking speech, they seem to lack the physiology to clearly articulate human sounds. Over time, a lovebird owner will come to recognize their pet’s approximation of common phrases used in the household. Some phrases that our lovebirds use are: 'pretty bird', 'good bird', 'stop it', 'a treat', and numerous other whistles and cat-calls.

Parrots are often referred to as companions rather than pets, this is because they have a two way relationship with their owners, each one working to provide for the needs of the other. Lovebirds make popular companions because of their small size, high degree of intelligence and relative ease of breeding. Chicks intended to become companion birds are hand fed from about two weeks old, this helps accustom them to human contact and makes them easier to tame. Lovebirds will generally bond themselves to one other individual, human or avian and this will be their partner for life. Although they show their greatest love and loyalty to only one individual, a well socialized lovebird will be friendly and well behaved for others as well.

Lovebirds are monogamists, mated pairs are bonded for life and there is no hanky-panky with other members of the flock. Breeding season in the wild is between February and April. The hen will lay 4-6 eggs in tree hollow and sit for approximately four weeks. Newborn chick are blind and helpless, and both parents take part in raising the young until they are ready to fledge at about six weeks of age.

Celtic & Ollie

Celtic: Olive, Opaline

Ollie: Pastel/Split to Lutino, and Orange-face

Blue and Io

Blue: White-faced True Blue

Io: White-faced, Opaline, True Blue/split to Pastel

Solaris & Polaris

Polaris: White-faced, Opaline, Mauve Pastel/split to True Blue

Solaris: Creamino

Solaris is a daughter of Bolt and Lightening.

Bolt & Lightening

Bolt: Jade Opaline

Lightening: Orange-face, Lutino

Grandparents and great-grandparents! Bolt and Lightening will never leave us!

Vulcan & Odysseus

Odysseus: Mauve Pastel

Vulcan: Sea-Green Pastel/split to orange-face, lutino, and Opaline.

Vulcan is the son of Bolt and Lightening.

Valentine & Rainbow

Valentine: Opaline Normal

Rainbow: Orange-faced, Opaline/split to Lutino.

Black Cheeks

Zeus and Hera

Jupiter

Juno

Navi & Cupid

Navi: White-faced, Turquoise, Pied Pastel

Cupid: White-faced Cobalt Pastel

Maximus & Hestia

Maximus: Normal/split of Orange-face, Opaline and Lutino

Hestia: Normal Opaline/split to Orange-face

Maximus is a son of Bolt and Lightening.

Hestia is the daughter of Venus.

Kiwi & Star

Star: Orange-face Lutino

Kiwi: Jade Normal/split to Orange-face, Lutino, and Opaline.

Einstein & Andromeda

Einstein: White-faced, Opaline, True Blue/split to Pastel

Andromeda: White-face, Opaline, Cobalt Pastel/Split to True Blue.

Venus & Hercules

Mars: Olive Normal

Venus: Orange-faced, Opaline hen.

Calypso: Single Factor Dark, American Cinnamon/split to Pastel.

Hercules: Orange-face American Cinnamon

Mars & Venus

Ava & Helios

Helios: Creamino

Ava: Double Dark-factor American Cinnamon

Helios is a son of Ares and Athena.

Ava is a daughter of Odysseus.

Abyssinians

Romeo, Juliet, Duncan, Horatio, and Ophelia.

Honorary Breeding Pair

Apple and Newton

Apple: Olive Normal

Newton: Orange-face, Pied, Opaline

Our Retired Breeding Pairs

Retired does not mean old! In order to keep our breeding lines fresh and new, and to ensure that our birds have long and healthy lives, we have to 'retire' some of our pairs to forever homes. While they are not always hand fed or friendly to people this is essential for their health, and the quality and health of our flock. Lovebirds can live up to 15-20 years and are fertile until 9-11 years of age. Anyone with kids has to agree that nine years of raising a maximum of 2 clutches at 4-5 babies per clutch would put a huge strain on their little bodies.

Even our pairs that were not hand fed as babies with time and patience are capable of becoming fully hand tamed. This section is to pay homage to the grandparents, and even great grandparents of our existing flock.

Aphrodite and Hephaestus (a.k.a. Spazz)