Lovebirds are small, colorful parrots that belong to the genus Agapornis and are renowned for their strong pair bonds and affectionate behavior. In this article, we will explore the characteristics and behavior of nine types of lovebirds.
9 Types of Lovebirds
There are many types of lovebirds in the world including the peach-faced lovebird, the masked lovebird, the Fischer’s lovebird, the Lilian’s lovebird, the black-cheeked lovebird, the red-headed lovebird, the gray-headed lovebird, the black-winged lovebird, and the black-collared lovebird.
1. Peach-faced Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis roseicollis
The peach-faced lovebird is one of the world’s most popular lovebird species. These birds are native to southwestern Africa. They have vibrant green feathers covering most of their bodies and, as the name suggests, a delightful peach-colored face.
They are known for their playful and social nature. This makes them a popular choice for people looking for a bird as a pet.
2. Masked Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis personatus
Also known as black-masked lovebirds or yellow-collared lovebirds, the masked lovebird is native to northern and central Tanzania and northeast Kenya. These lovebirds have vivid green body feathers and a striking black mask that covers their faces.
These lovebirds are among the smaller members of the lovebird family, typically measuring around 5 to 6 inches long. They are highly energetic and enjoy both the company of other lovebirds and interaction with their human caregivers
3. Fischer’s Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis fischeri
Fischer’s lovebirds can be found in the eastern and central regions of Africa. These lovebirds have green backs, tails, and bellies with an orange head and face and a yellow collar around the neck. They also have a bright orange beak.
These birds are energetic and playful, which makes them popular pets. Males and females look the same, which makes telling them apart pretty difficult. Like other lovebirds, Fischer’s Lovebirds are cavity nesters.
They seek out tree hollows or suitable crevices to build their nests. They typically lay clutches of 4 to 6 eggs, and both the male and female share incubation duties and care for the chicks.
4. Lilian’s Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis lilianae
Also called the nyasa lovebird, the Lilian’s lovebird is native to southwest Zambia. They are one of the smallest members of the lovebird family, measuring up to 5.3 inches long. These birds are primarily green, with a white eye-ring. They have an orange head and throat and a distinctive red beak.
These lovebirds primarily feed on grass seeds like wild rice, millet, and more. Lilian’s lovebirds are known for their relatively gentler and quieter disposition compared to some other lovebird species. They still enjoy the company of other lovebirds or humans but are less aggressive than other species.
5. Black-Cheeked Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis nigrigenis
The black-cheeked lovebird is only found in a small area of Zambia. These small, green parrots have black patches of feathers on their cheeks. They are typically between 5 and 5.5 inches long.
Adult black-cheeked lovebirds have a bright red beak, while juveniles have orange beaks. This species features a white ring around the eyes. These lovebirds are appreciated for their inquisitive nature and their tendency to form strong bonds with their owners.
In the wild, these birds are cavity nesters, which means they seek out holes or cavities in trees to build their nests. The females lay 3 to 5 eggs, and both the male and the female incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.
6. Red-Headed Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis pullarius
This miniature parrot is mostly green with a short tail. The red-headed lovebird is native to the central regions of Africa. These highly social lovebirds are green with bright red faces and beaks.
Female’s faces are more orange in color, and their beaks are a more pale red color. Red-headed lovebirds are social, active, and energetic birds. They thrive on social interaction, both with their fellow lovebirds and with their human caregivers.
Their diet primarily consists of a variety of seeds, fruits, flowers, and vegetation. In captivity, it’s essential to provide them with a balanced diet that includes high-quality commercial parrot pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
7. Gray-Headed Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis canus
Commonly found in the northern and western regions of Madagascar, the gray-headed lovebird is around five inches long. As the name suggests, the top half of this small parrot is gray. From the chest down, they are green. However, females are completely green, with darker green backs and wings. These lovebirds are playful and curious, making great and entertaining pets.
8. Black-Winged Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis taranta
Also known as the Abyssinian lovebird, the black-winged lovebird can be found in eastern regions of Africa. Females are completely green with a red beak. Males are mostly green with a red patch above their beaks.
Both sexes have black underwings that are more obvious when in flight, hence the name. These lovebirds grow to be around 6.5 inches long, making them the largest of the lovebird species. Said to be perky and active birds, they are also on the quiet side. Currently they are not very common as pets and are somewhat rare overall.
9. Black-collared Lovebird
Scientific Name: Agapornis swinderniana
One lovebird species that isn’t commonly kept as a pet is the black-collared lovebird, also known as the Swindern’s lovebird. This species has a specific diet of figs from their native environment. They are naturally found in eastern and Central Africa.
This species is mostly green with a black line or collar across the back of its neck. Though generally, lovebirds are known for their mild-mannered, affectionate natures, this bird’s personality doesn’t have as much reference, since they are more difficult to take care of.
Mary is an outdoor enthusiast, nature lover, and amateur birdwatcher that enjoys sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.