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Peach-faced Lovebird

Rose-faced Lovebird

Family: PsittacidaeYoung Peach-faced LovebirdsAgapornis roseicollisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Peach-faced Lovebird is a beautiful 'pocket parrot'. They come in a variety of colors and are the most commonly kept lovebirds!

   The Peach-faced Lovebirds are one of three lovebird species that are very popular, affectionate, and readily available. The others are the Masked Lovebird and the Fischer's Lovebird varieties.

   If you obtain a hand-raised Peach-faced Lovebird you will have an incredibly affectionate friend. It is a most playful, intelligent, and amusing little bird. This small parrot is also an excellent beginners bird; being relatively hardy, easy to care for, a willing breeder, and reasonably priced.

   The Peach-faced Lovebirds are very social and love 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 roseicollis Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Scientific Name: Agapornis roseicollis

Subspecies: Agapornis roseicollis roseicollis
Agapornis roseicollisi catumbella    There are over a dozen mutations of the Peach-fronted Lovebird. Some of them include yellow mutations such as the Lutino Lovebird and the cinnamon lovebirds; the pied mutations that began with a stunning contrast between the yellows and greens; blue mutations such as the Dutch Blue Lovebird and the Whitefaced Blue Lovebird; olive mutations; and from crossings of these has produced multiple color combinations to form many new varieties.

Distribution:    The Peach-faced Lovebird is native to southwest Africa in Nambia and southwest Angola. They inhabit dry areas with shrubs or trees bordering forests, usually near bodies of water.
   There are two Peach-faced Lovebird subspecies, the first being A. r. roseicollis which is thought to have been found in about 1817. The other A. r. catumbella was not discovered until 1955 and is distinguished from the first species by it's brighter greens and more pronounced red coloring.

Description:    The Peach-fronted Lovebird is a very small member of the parrot family, but is greatly admired for it's striking coloration. They have a general green plumage with more yellowish under parts. The forehead to behind the eyes, cheeks, throat, and upper breast are a rose-pink, being reddest on the head. The feathers of the rump and onto the upper tail are bright blue, and the tail also has occasional orange and black markings. The eye is dark brown, the beak is horn colored with a tinge of light green, and the legs are gray.
   The young have grayish-green feathers in the plumage. The rose-pink in front is paler and they don't have red on the forehead. The beak is often marked with some black. They acquire their adult plumage at about 4 months.

Size - Weight:    Though they are the largest of the lovebird species, the Peach-faced Lovebird will only get up to about 6" - 7" (16 - 18 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 Peach-faced Lovebird eats seeds and berries 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.

Breeding/Reproduction:    The Peach-faced Lovebird is excellent for the beginning breeder. These birds will breed as either single pairs or in colonies, but they are much more prone to fighting in a colony setting so must be given plenty of space and more nest boxes than there are pairs of birds. In the wild these birds nest in crevices of cliffs or buildings, or take over the communal nests of weavers. When you provide them with a nest box, be sure to also provide lots of willow twigs, palm fronds, or other nesting materials as they will build a small nest of their own inside of the nest box. The female will carry the nesting materials between her back and rump feathers.
   The hen will lay four to five eggs which are incubated for about 23 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) in about 30 to 38 days but will still be dependent until about 43 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 moderate but metallic shriek and can be somewhat noisy for parts of the day.
   See About Lovebirds: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:   The Peach-faced Lovebird is very popular and is readily available.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Peach-faced Lovebird View all 108 comments on Peach-faced Lovebird Add Your Comment

claire - 2012-02-01 I had 2 baby peachfaced lovebirds and the male died any idea why this was? He was only 3yrs old :( Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2012-02-01 Sometimes things just die much younger than expected whether a parrot, a pup or a human. It is sad. Could have been a genetic defect, or he could have gotten into something toxic. I am sorry but it could happen for absolutely no reason at all. Reply

milad zurub - 2012-01-10 I think they are a female and a male coz I saw on of them hoping on the back of the other and having sex it layed 5 eggs today. I found two on the bottom of the cage and I put them back and it sit on them I did the right thing or what I think they fell of the nesting box or did she put them out n y ?? Click For Replies (3) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-10 Yes, you did the right thing. Frequently a young inexperienced female will lay the eggs 'off the perch'. In other words, she thinks she has to go to the bathroom but instead an egg is laid. Sometimes they just don't know where to lay them and will do something like lay the egg in their food bowl. Just put them in the nest for them and they will get the hang of it. milad zurub - 2012-01-12 I have another cupel they layed 5 eggs and only one hatched it has been 3 days now might the others might hatch or no they all hatch at the same day ?? 10 x a lot 4 your help can I get your e-maile or facebook :D 10x a lot milo-zurub@hotmail.com mu face.. And e-mail heather - 2012-01-30 Hi I have a set of love birds one green/ red the other yellow blue the female laid 3 eggs I'm not sure how many they lay we have been told it takes them 14 days from the day she laid them. They could hatch if there good eggs. She is in her own cage with her eggs the mate is next to her in another large cage they seem to be fine they are chirping like crazy i would like to know how long to keep the babys with the mother and should they be put in the same large cage together once there ready to be moved. Also how can we tell if they are females and male when they are small like that i would appreceate any info on love birds you may have yours truly heather Reply

jean saad - 2012-01-28 If I wana hand feed my babys at what hours should I feed them ?? Do I have to feed them @ night ? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-28 I would wait till they open their eyes :-) about ten days old or even fifteen days old. You would be feeding them about every four hours or when the crop is empty. Your last feeding would be before you went to bed and then again as soon as you get up but not greater than six to seven hours initially. Reply

milad zurub - 2012-01-27 I have a luton couple the female is laying eggs and they disappear and I have other couple green I am not sure about the male and the female is laying 5 eggs so I decided to put the lution male with the green female they r fighting do u think that is a right choice ?? Will they keep on fighting ? Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-27 Not real sure I understand but why did you not leave the pair together? The female on eggs will do everything to protect the nest from an intruder. milad zurub - 2012-01-27 I did not leave the pairs coz the green female is very good and its male I am not sure if he is filtering the female n the yellow male I sow him filtering the female and it layed one egg and did not hatched there is something wrong with her so I put the good male with the good female will the tame to each other or will they keep on fighting ? Or should I put the paris as they were ? Reply

Anita - 2012-01-22 I just brought home a peached faced lutino today. I think so anyway. That's what the mom was and this bird is a bright yellow with rosy cheeks and little red on top of her head. Not all its feathers are in, but the longest wing feathers are lighter yellow and the tail has hints of, almost striped green blue and red. Just a hint though. What do you think? Should I get another one? If so, it would be a Dutch blue with greenish blue body and a grayish head. If they end up being a pair, would all their babies be mutations of peached faced lovebirds or would I just increase the likelihood of getting babies with that mutation? My concerns about bird number 2 is that they'll bond and never tame up to me. The baby I have now is quite tame and already moves her neck for me to scratch and falls asleep cuddled to me in no time. I know they'll be considerably louder with both, and that's fine. I have a huge cage in a sunroom that can be closed off and the birds can still see the family and activity in the house. My concern wit having just one is that it would be lonely and depressed. Help. I have to let the breeder know tomorrow. My Click For Replies (6) Clarice Brough - 2012-01-22 It sounds like a great little lovebird! Regarding getting a second bird or not, usually I would suggest yes. But it is really the answer to one major question, are you willing to be a constant companion to this bird. Their socialization need is such that they need attention, preening, petting, and interacting most of the time. That's why they really do best with another lovebird. I have known a lady who had just one, and they had a wonderful relationship. But she did everything (and I mean everything!) with it... hung out with it on her shoulder, hand, couch...took naps together, ate together, read together, everything. Her bird did not get depressed, but that's the type of interaction they need, and they live for quite a few years. Anita - 2012-01-23 Very insightful. Seems like I have lots of thinking to do. I'm delighted that I can still hand feed some!!! I sure wish I could send you some pics of her. She has quite a bit of blue red then green in her tail and her eyes aren't red. Anita - 2012-01-23 But will I be able to tame them if there are two of them? They were not handfed but aren't fully feathered and the one I have was definitely exposed to human contact. Charlie Roche - 2012-01-23 If they aren't even completely feathered in yet, I would hand feed them. You can hand feed them with a spoon and baby food slightly warmed from a jar. Yep, the regular old kind you buy in the grocery store. You don't have to and you do not want to stuff them as they are eating on their own but just a little extra will help them bond to you and you to them. Apricots and applesauce were the two favorites mine always liked the best. I would put a little on my finger from the spoon and then let them eat from the spoon. Remember the spoon is a big shiny object to be afraid of so just go slow. Once they taste the 'good stuff' they usually very quickly overcome objections. Yes, you can have two tame lovebirds. You can have two lovebirds that you just watch and enjoy or you can have two that you can watch and enjoy when they are nesting and play with the other part of the year. They all get hormonal in the spring anyway. My daughter has 4 and they have babies and she can play, hug, hold all 4 of them. She does hand feed the babies. She even used to take them to work with her. If you provide the love and attention - you are just part of their flock especially if you are well trained by them. Now you can also just have 1 lovebird but they are very social beings and they want preening and attention. Loud - doesn't bother me and they aren't really loud. Mutation - that's genetics. You take brown eyed human and breed with a blue eyed - you will probably brown eyes as dominant. However, you can get blue eyes or a combination. Same thing with birds. What is the dominant gene and do they both have it or does just one have it. Guess you will just have to wait and see on that one. You'll have to wait and see on several cluches too. Anita - 2012-01-25 I'm going to pick up a little friend for Daisy this afternoon! I figured that her happiness was more important than my having a little friend all to myself. I'm just praying that she'll remain tame. I had a parakeet at one time and when my sister got one and put it at the other end of the house, they heard each other and it was never really the same. I wish I could send you some photos of Daisy. She looks lutino, there is a lot of blue and green on her back and even some red. Her eyes aren't red either. I'm not interested in having a bird conform to any standards as she's just a pet, but I am curious and interested in genetics. Anita - 2012-01-25 Here are some pictures of Daisy: www.photobucket.com/daisyandmuffin Reply

milad zurub - 2011-12-21 I have 2 peach faced I don't know if they are a female and a male. I saw them both putting nesting materials in there back but one of the carries more and it built a nest and today it layed an egg. I did not see the having it but they feed each other in the mouth and the other act more like a male might it layed an infertile egg ??or are they a couple?? Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-12-21 The only way to know for 100% the sex is through DNA sexing. However, visually is usually about 90% accurate. The males head is flatter than the females. The females head is a smoothe curve from the eye area up across the head to the neck. The males head is flatter and a slight ridge as you go toward the neck. Both sexes help build a nest and both sexes will incubate. Usually the male feeds the female. The female will not fully start sitting (incubating the eggs) 100% untill the last egg is laid. Whether the eggs are fertile or not - you can try candling in about 10 days. However, usually the first clutch is a freebie - in other words not fertile. Takes the birds a couple of clutches to actually know what they are doing. If the eggs hatch - you know you have a couple. If they don't, however, you may still have a couple - just inexperienced. Good luck and enjoy. milad zurub - 2012-01-09 I think they r a female n a male coz I saw on of them hoping on the back of the other n having sex it layed 5 eggs today I found two on the bottom of the cage and I put them back and it sit on them I did the right thing or what I think they fell of the nesting box or did she put them out n y ?? Reply

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