Black-cheeked lovebird

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Black-cheeked lovebird
Black-checked Lovebird RWD.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Agapornis
Species:
A. nigrigenis
Binomial name
Agapornis nigrigenis
Black-cheeked Lovebird.png
Distribution of the black-cheeked lovebird

The black-cheeked lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) is a small parrot species of the lovebird genus. It is mainly green and has a brown head, red beak, and white eyerings. [2] It is endemic to a relatively small range in southwest Zambia, where it is vulnerable to habitat loss. [1] [3]

Contents

Taxonomy

The black-cheeked lovebird is monotypic. [2] The black-cheeked lovebird is sometimes seen as a race of Lilian's lovebird. [3]

Description

Upper body Agapornis nigrigenis - head and shoulders.jpg
Upper body

The black-cheeked lovebird is 14 cm (5.5 in) in length, [2] with mostly green plumage, reddish-brown forehead and forecrown, brownish-black cheeks and throat, orange bib below the throat which fades to yellowish-green, white eye-rings and grey feet. Adult have bright red beaks, while juveniles of the species are similar but with a more orange bill. Vocalizations are loud, piercing shrieks, which sound like the calls of other lovebirds. [4]

Distribution and habitat

The black-cheeked lovebird inhabits deciduous woodland, where permanent supplies of surface water exist, as it needs daily access to water. In the dry season, these birds may congregate in large flocks of up to 800 or more. They are found in Zambia and may occur in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. [1]

Conservation

It is listed as a vulnerable species as its population is in decline due to continuous habitat loss. This is due to gradual desiccation of water bodies, causing drought, farming practices, hunting and trapping, fishing, logging and diseases. There are currently only between 2,500 and 9,999 mature individuals. However, they occur in nature reserves and there is an action plan in place to help them. [1]

Diet

The black-cheeked lovebird feeds mainly at ground-level on annual grass seeds, but also on other vegetable matter and insect larvae, and on corn, sorghum, and millet. [5]

Aviculture

The black-cheeked lovebird is relatively easy to breed in aviculture, but there was little interest in breeding them during the first half of the twentieth century at a time when imports were numerous. Now they are uncommon in aviculture and uncommon as pets. [2]

Related Research Articles

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Lovebird is the common name for the genus Agapornis, a small group of parrots in the Old World parrot family Psittaculidae. Of the nine species in the genus, all are native to the African continent, with the grey-headed lovebird being native to the African island of Madagascar.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosy-faced lovebird</span> Species of bird

The rosy-faced lovebird, also known as the rosy-collared or peach-faced lovebird, is a species of lovebird native to arid regions in southwestern Africa such as the Namib Desert. Loud and constant chirpers, these birds are very social animals and often congregate in small groups in the wild. They eat throughout the day and take frequent baths. Coloration can vary widely among populations. Plumage is identical in males and females. Lovebirds are renowned for their sleep position in which they sit side-by-side and turn their faces in towards each other. Also, females are well noted to tear raw materials into long strips, "twisty-tie" them onto their backs, and fly substantial distances back to make a nest. These birds are common in the pet industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lilian's lovebird</span> Species of bird

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agapornithinae</span> Subfamily of birds

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 BirdLife International (2016). "Agapornis nigrigenis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22685360A93069915. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22685360A93069915.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Le Breton, Kenny (1992). Lovebirds...getting started . USA: T.F.H. Publications. pp.  97–98. ISBN   0-86622-411-4.
  3. 1 2 Birds of Africa south of the Sahara, Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan (2003) Struik ISBN   1-86872-857-9
  4. ARKive
  5. "Species factsheet: Agapornis nigrigenis". BirdLife International (2008). Retrieved 9 July 2008.