Animal-World > Pet Birds > Lovebirds > Black Masked Lovebird

Masked Lovebird

Black Masked Lovebird Family: Psittacidae

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Agapornis personata Photo Courtesy: Jamie Wertz, The Tweetery

   The Masked Lovebird is a very popular species, second only to the Peach-faced Lovebirds, and is available in a number of attractive mutations!

   A beautiful bird with clear bright coloration, the Masked Lovebird also referred to as the Black Masked Lovebird, makes every bit as good a pet as the Peach-faced Lovebird. Some even suggest that they may be a bit calmer, though others say they are just as mischievous. Either way, they will make a delightful and enjoyable addition to any household.

   This small parrot is an excellent beginners bird being relatively hardy, easy to care for, a willing breeder, and reasonably priced. It is a most playful, intelligent, and amusing little companion.

   The Masked Lovebird is very social and loves companionship. Their natural behavior is to live closely with a companion so are often kept with another lovebird. Though they make a very fine and affectionate pet when hand-raised, they will need a lot of attention if kept singly. Most are kept in pairs to satisfy their considerable need for constant companionship, mutual preening, and socialization.

For more information and the care of Lovebirds see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Lovebird

Distribution:
   The Masked Lovebird is native to northeastern Tanzania in Africa. They inhabit dry areas with shrubs or trees bordering forests, usually near bodies of water. They were originally discovered in the late 1800's but were not imported until the 1920's.

Description:
   The Masked Lovebird is a very small member of the parrot family. They have a general green plumage. The head is brownish-black with a yellow collar around the neck. The throat and upper breast is also yellow, though with a reddish-orange cast. The feathers of the rump and onto the upper tail are bluish, and the tail also has occasional orange and black markings. The eye is dark brown surrounded by a naked white eye ring. The beak is red and the legs are gray. The females in this species are slightly larger than the males. The young are duller especially on the head and they have black markings on the beak.
   The Masked Lovebird belongs to a group of lovebirds called the 'eye-ring' species. There are four eye-ring species, with the other three being the Fischer's Lovebird A. p. fischeri, Black-cheeked Lovebird A. p. nigrigenis, and the Nyasa Lovebird A. p. lilianae. This group can be identified by the obvious strong ring around their eyes. They are closely related and will interbred readily if kept together, even though they are different species. It is strongly urged that you keep these species separate to maintain their natural forms, as breeding within each species itself produces the most beautiful color mutations.

Size - Weight:
   The Masked Lovebird will get up to about 6" (14.5 - 15. 5 cm) in length.

Care and feeding:
   A roomy cage is required as lovebirds are very active. If you have a tame pet that is kept in a small cage, it needs to be let out for extended periods to fly about.
   In the wild the Masked Lovebird eats seeds as well as agricultural crops, especially maize and millets. As a pet they will enjoy a variety of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and commercial pellets.
   See About Lovebirds: Housing and About Lovebirds: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:
   In the wild they are seen in small flocks, and occasionally larger flocks when feeding in ripening crop fields.
   A lovebird is a very social bird with it's companion, and it is generally thought to be essential for their good health and happiness that they be kept in pairs rather than singly. They can, however, be aggressive towards other birds in an aviary setting.

Activities:
   Loves to fly, climb, and play. Provide lots of room and lots of toys.

The masked lovebirds are an excellent choice for the beginning breeder. These birds will breed as either single pairs or in colonies. In the wild these birds nest in the holes of trees, in crevices of buildings, or take over the nests of swifts. When you provide them with a nest box be sure to also provide lots of willow twigs, strips of bark, or other nesting materials.
   The hen will lay three to four eggs which are incubated for about 21 to 23 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) in about 44 to 45 days. When they become independent, remove the young to their own housing.
    See About Lovebirds: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:
   This bird has a high pitched twittering and though not as loud as some parrots, it can be rather noisy for parts of the day.
   See About Lovebirds: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:
  The Masked Lovebird is very popular and is readily available.

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Latest Comments
We just lost our little girl. We had her for eight years and she got sick. We took her to ITHICA M.Y. Cornell University Hospital. She died there and we are still just devastated. She was like our kid. We did everything with her and loved the devil out of her. Her name was Baby Bird. carl 2008-10-15
Most well balanced lovebirds (well I have owned them for 20 years anyway) either ignore or play with a mirror until they can move on to the next thing. Most I would say don't like them. It's the confined solitary creatures with no outlet for communication with their own kind (sorry if you can interpret what a lovebird is actually saying/needing) that are practically damaged goods that respond to a mirror. Most people who have two, after long periods of having one, get two because they cannot spend time with the first one. The first one becomes wild long before the arrival of the second-but the root cause is confused. It would be selfish to think you should have the birds full attention on demand. I have 6 hand reared lovebirds in an aviary of 20 birds. Each of the six has mixed with a 'wild' bird and is as tame if not tamer than when they were in the nest. They still sit with me outside of the aviary in the garden without flying off. cherry 2008-09-13
I also have a blackmasked lovebird. She had a mate but he open the cage door and left. Can anyone tell me about a suitable mate. concerned Lydia Lugo 2008-06-18
I have a sweet little blue masked lovebird who loves to whistle along to jazz music, running water, outside birds, etc. One of his favourite daily activities in bathing in his bird bath. Recently I've begun "clicker training" which helps him exercise his mind and body. Since then he has become even more eager to spend time with me. Vancouver, Canada 2006-10-25
I have a male green masked love bird and a female dutch blue love bird they get along great! im thinking about breeding any tips? Reece 2006-05-31
Some of the coolest comments:
NO NO NO... Sorry, but don't buy your bird a mirror. If you cannot afford to spend enough time (for a lovebird, at least 2 to 3 hours a day) with him or her, do not buy them! A mirror will make it so that a single lovebird will eventually become anti-social to you, his companion. The birds in the mirror become his companions and you will lose his trust little by little until he becomes just another wild lovebird! This is the same with ANY bird, not just lovebirds. If you want them to love you, keep mirrors away unless you are supervising with it and playing with them! Mike 2007-05-28
...people breeding Masked Lovebirds to PeachFaced! For the purity of the line, as a breeder I wouldn't recommend this. In the wild they are not social to each other, but in captivity...nature takes over for procreation. If you love your Lovebirds, get them proper mates. If it has a ring around the eye then its mate should also. Peach Face and Whiteface(also a peachface variety) can be bred together. Fischer's Lovebirds should also be bred among Fischer's only. I wish you all happiness with your pets, but please...keep the lines pure. Firemoon 2006-09-25

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Author: Clarice Brough. CAS.