Animal-World > Birds > Lovebirds > Black Masked Lovebird

Masked Lovebird

Black Masked Lovebird

Family: PsittacidaeAgapornis personataPhoto 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

Geographic Distribution Agapornis personata Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Scientific Name: Agapornis personata personata    There are a some popular color mutations of the Masked Lovebird, and while this bird is described by its face, the 'mask', the mutations are described by their body color. The most common varieties are the Blue Masked Lovebird and the Green Masked Lovebird; and then there are the more uncommon varieties such as the medium blue (cobalt) and the dark blue (slate).

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.

Author: Clarice Brough. CAS.

Lastest Comments on Black Masked Lovebird View all 36 comments on Black Masked Lovebird Add Your Comment

dibya - 2011-07-27 I had a pair of black masked love birds, living together for 2 months,but they are too scared of anyone, and they are kept in the living room, so there is always someone there for them to get used to us. Even when I change their food, they get sooooo frightened. They dont eat anything except grass seeds. Is there something wrong? Charlie Roche - 2011-07-28 I believe they just were never handled and all they had to eat was the seed. Try and feed them with your hand - any kind of treat. They should like little pieces of millet, maybe apple - you can just cut up a long string of millet and give them an inch piece. Try and get them used to your hands. Think if you were that size and a hand the entire size of your body was coming at you - would you be scared? So go slow. Try and coaz them out of the cage a little (where they won't be trpped fleeing from the hand) and continue to introduce new foods, pieces of treat etc with your hand. There isn't anything WRONG they were just never handled. It will take awhile but they should come around to loving humans too. Go slow. Anonymous - 2011-07-29 Thank you charlie for your suggestion............... Anonymous - 2011-07-29 Would I consult you when ever i got problem with my birds??????????? Charlie Roche - 2011-07-29 I had lots of birds and bred for many years but I am not a vet. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there really are many avian vets outside of breeding territories in Fl and CA. There are a whole lot of sanctuaries and small breeders that are usually pretty local that have ideas. I'll help if I can but best to know and learn. Now I think this works. There is a little picture of one of my birds with my name Charlie. That takes you to a facebook account and about 200 people that are parrot crazy (like me). There are vets, breeders and parrot lovers. Join, click to be a friend and there about 200 people to ask questions. Most are sanctuaries, breeders and/or vets and from all over the world. Just started it for Animal World. OK???? hava - 2012-01-28 I rescued a black masked couple (one year old) they were in a very very smal cage without nothing inside, and very afraid of people. They are with me now already 3 months. There is a big progress, they now have 5 babies (20 days old) and the male steped twice in my arms! I spend every day 15 minuts with them, start with slices of apple, i offered them with my hand, throug the bars of the cage, and sunflour seads. Little by little they got to know me and are much more relaxed with me. The day they arrived I cliped their wings and it help alot,so they woundt fly when i was closed by, now they are full flight, but not scared when i get close to them. One thing also, at the bigining, i took their food plate out from the cage, and after few hours, i would come to the cage with seads, offer to them with my hands, they were hungry so they had to try to eat from my fingers. Good luck and much patiente! Reply

debbie - 2012-03-06 What makes the black masked lovebird bite? I have one and all he does is bite when you go near him. I cant put my hand in his cage. Also he rips his paper on the bottom of his cage and puts in his water Charlie Roche - 2012-03-06 Ripping up the paper and putting it in the water bowl is normal. Ripping up paper is a great activity and lots of fun for a parrot. Many parrots - especially the little guys don't like it when you put your hand in THEIR cage. It is scary. I have said before picture King Kong putting his hand over the top of you while you are in bed. Scary - so they bite. It is their safe place and they will frequently attack anything that comes into their safe place. Best thing to do is let him come out of the cage on his own - or bribe him out of the cage on his own and allow him sometime to realize he is not going to be hurt. Talk softly, give treats with your hand and then pick him up and hold close to your chest. You can hold the beak closed and he can't bite. Just hold him close and pet the top of his head. Reply

Editor's Note - 2012-01-25 What will happen if the black masked lovebird has no partner ? Will it die? Charlie Roche - 2012-01-25 No it is not going to die. We die from being old or getting sick - not from not having a partner. Lovebirds are very social creatures and they do fine with lots - really lots - of human attention and hold and pet. They do extremely well with another lovebird - which relieves some of the socialization and affection needs from the human. You can pair your fella up with another lovebird or give it lots of attnetion. susan - 2012-02-10 No! In fact he may become very attached to you. He will start to bond with you more and more. I just had one he was the most wonderful friend and family I could have ever wished for!! He trained me to get him glasses of water and loved dinner time he was always curious and wanted to sample almost everything he loved cherries and grapes only I had to hold them for him while he sipped them up slowly! I think you will be pleasently surprised by having one bird you will really see his personality like you would never have before. marie smith - 2012-03-05 Hi, don't stress my partner saved a black masked lovebird (our Harry) about 6 months ago. We took him to the vet as the other birds who attacked him made quite a mess of him. We estimated his age at about 8 weeks old at that stage. He is now the social butterfly. He interacts with all our friends but he has become very dominant and protective of me! He is very happy and well adjusted (that took several weeks). I don't think he would appreciate us bringing in another bird as he would probably view it as competition as he soaks up all the attention and loves it. Just be patient and you will find you have a new best friend. Reply

doreen - 2011-08-21 Is there any way of sexing black masked love birds please? Charlie Roche - 2011-08-22 There is no 100% way to sex these little guys without blodd sexing --- as the males and females look identical for the most part. Now many who have bred them, raised them and had them for awhile will tell you that generally, the femlaes head is rounder on the top with the males head being flatter. It is harder (obviously) to see when feathered in but when naked it is pretty visually. You can usually feel this more so than see it where the male has a definitive slope or angle at the top back portion of his head. The femlaes pelvic bones are usually wider. It is said that the females have a stockier look when mature. Again breeders can do this quite well - almost all of the time. For the causal observor it is difficult and the only true way is blood sexing. There are ads in the back of Bird Talk which you can send for and they you can send a blood feather or clipped toenail (blood) to the lab and they will send you the results. It used to be $25.00 - I don't know how much it is now. I wouldn't think much. Other choice is wait cuz there will be eggs. Thisara Demina Rambukkanage - 2011-11-15 I am from sri lanka. I have pair of zebra finches and pair of java finches in same large cage. I am going to buy a new large cage. I like to buy lovebirds. But I don't know how to sex them. I want to know how. Reply

Waqas - 2011-09-17 I have a black masked blue love bird ( male ) and a green fisher ( female ). Will the two specie cross breed and what will be the offsprings alike ? Toby Jungle - 2011-09-17 Yeah, they will cross breed. Looks: some might look a little like dad and some will look a little like mom and some will be a combination of the two. Each can be different one from the other so just enjoy. My white belly caique mated with my black headed caique and the babies looked like white bellies only with a mash and a hat. They were adorable. Reply

Neal - 2011-09-12 Hey guys I just wanted to know if it is possible to keep a pair of masked lovebirds and a pair of fischers lovebirds in the same cage? Would that be a problem when either one of the pair is laying eggs? Toby Jungle - 2011-09-13 It's not a good idea. Someone will probably get hurt. Now if the cage is huge (such as 10 by 10 feet - and plenty of greenery and plants, it would probably be ok. I wouldn't recommend it. Reply

Add your comment!

View all 36 comments on Black Masked Lovebird

Back to Lovebirds