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AGAPORNIS

These pleasant, multicolored and easy of maintenance parakeets had quickly conquered to all. They are also known by "LoveBirds", term in English originated of the Greek Agapornis: (agape = love; ornis = bird), due to the fact of they form a couple for the life all.

The LoveBirds are native of diverse regions of the African continent, including Madagascar, Naníbia and Zimbabue. They belong to Psittacidae family, where they are also included the Budgerigars, Red-Rumped, Pionus, Quakers, Cockatiels, Parrots and Macaws, among others. The genus Agapornis is divided in 9 species: A. cana (Madagascar lovebird), A. fisher (Fischer’s lovebird), A. liliane, A. nigrigenis (Black-cheeked lovebird), A. personata, A. pullaria, A. roseicollis (Peach-faced lovebird), A. swinderniana (Swindern’s black-collared lovebird) and A. taranta. The minor is the Agapornis cana (Madagascar lovebird) with around 13 cm and the greatest is the A. taranta with around 18 cm and 60 grams of weight. In general way, the lovebirds measure around 16 cm of length and its weight varies around 35 to 55 g.

Reproduction:
The only species that allows males and females identifications through external features (the feathers colors) are the A. cana, A. taranta and to A. pullaria. In the others, only internal differences are perceptible: the males present the pelvis bones more closed and pointed, while that the female bones are more open and rounded off. Normally the male is smaller and calmer, while female used to be more “talkative" and agitated, however exceptions always exist.

The Lovebirds will breed three times through the year in average. The number of eggs varies between 2 to 6. The incubation time is 23 days after the first egg was laid. Who constructs the nest is the female. The male can play with the construction materials for the nest, as straw of maize, grass, felt leaves of coconut palms and sticks but he does not take them for the nest.

Maintenance:
They can be created in birdcages with 80 cm of size, 50 cm of width and 60 cm of height at least. The birdcage must contain a horizontal nest type box, with 30 cm of height, 15 cm of width and 15 cm of size approximately, with 2 rooms, being one with a concavous cavity. The nest to Fisher’s lovebird can be vertical, with 20 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm approximately. Both should have around 5 cm of entrance, with a perch. The birdcage must contain a fixed food and water bowl so that they don’t knock down, however removable for cleaning, and a bowl with water for the bath. The water should be fresh and changed every day. Cleaning is fundamental for illness prevention. For that, it’s interesting that the birdcage has a removable tray to facilitate the job. You can opt to lining it with some absorbent paper (like newspaper) that should be changed daily. Makes the disinfection of the water and food bowl, bathtub and of the birdcage, at least two times per week.

The Lovebirds is cheerful and smarts. Put some toys in the birdcage to entertain and to exercises them. Some perches are useful and will make possible to observe the "affair" of these beautiful birds.

Feed:
alcon Club Periquito (alcon Club Parakeets), alcon Club Farinhada com Ovo para Psitacídeos (alcon Club Egg Food for Psitacids), alcon Club Papa para Filhotes - Psitacídeos.