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Lovebird Facts & Worksheets

Lovebird is the common name for a type of bird that belongs to the genus Agapornis, which is a group of small parrots native to the African continent. They are popular pets.

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Lovebird is the common name for a type of bird that belongs to the genus Agapornis, which is a group of small parrots native to the African continent. Lovebirds are known to be an affectionate species and often come in pairs. This quality makes them popular pets. There are nine species of lovebirds which can be classified into three categories: the sexually dimorphic, the intermediate, and the white-eye-ringed species. 

See the fact file below for more information on Lovebirds, or you can download our 29-page Lovebird worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

NAME & TAXONOMY

  • Lovebirds are called such because of their strong affinity and monogamous attachment to each other.
  • Paired lovebirds are linked for life and spend so much time just sitting and being affectionate to each other.
  • A group of lovebirds is called a flock.
  • In terms of scientific classification, lovebirds belong to the kingdom Animalia; the phylum Chordata; the class Aves, encompassing all birds; the order Psittaciformes, consisting of all parrots; the family Psittaculidae, which includes Old World parrots; the subfamily Agapornithinae, which are small parrots found in Africa and Asia; and the genus Agapornis pertaining to lovebirds.
  • The genus Agapornis was discovered by English naturalist Prideaux John Selby in 1836. 
  • Agapornis is a combination of the Ancient Greek terms “agape,” which means “love,” and “ornis,” which means “bird.”

HABITAT

  • All species of lovebirds are native to Africa and Madagascar.
  • South Africa is where fossils of lovebird species dating 1.9 million years have been discovered.
  • Eight of the 9 known species of lovebirds are found in Africa.
  • Depending on the species, they thrive in forests, woodlands, savannas, and shrublands, as long as a water source is available nearby.
  • Lovebirds love their space, and ideally, the place they live in must be spacious, even in captivity.
  • Lovebirds also love to make a home out of tree holes.
  • Some species prefer to nest alone while some do in flocks.
  • Some species live across bigger locations in Africa, such as Tanzania, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Ethiopia, and Namibia, among others. 
  • Meanwhile, other species prefer to inhabit more restricted areas.

SIZE & WEIGHT

  • Lovebirds are small parrots that measure 13 to 17 centimeters (5 to 7 inches) in length, not including their wingspan.
  • Their wingspan can reach up to 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) for each wing.
  • They weigh an average of 40 to 60 grams depending on the species.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Lovebirds are small, short-tailed parrots with stocky bodies and strong, sharp beaks.
  • Most lovebirds, such as the Fischer’s lovebird, the black-cheeked lovebird, and the masked lovebird, have a prominent white ring around their eyes, a red beak, and green feathers.
  • Male and female lovebirds look alike.
  • Through aviculture, lovebirds can have many color varieties.

DIET

  • Lovebirds are mostly herbivorous, which means they feed on plants.
  • They primarily eat seeds, fruits, vegetables, grains, and grasses.
  • Some species, however, also feed on insects and their larvae, which makes them omnivores.
  • Lovebirds consume so much water because they usually need to soften their food before eating.

REPRODUCTION & LIFESPAN

  • Lovebirds are monogamous, which means they have only one mate. They mate for life.
  • The average lifespan of a lovebird in the wild is up to five years.
  • As pets, lovebirds typically live around 10 to 20 years.
  • After mating, eggs can be laid within 3 to 10 days, and then get incubated for around 22 to 25 days.
  • Lovebirds can lay around 4 to 6 eggs at a time.
  • Lovebirds reach sexual maturity at 10 months.

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

  • During mating season, lovebirds can be aggressively territorial and jealous. When they have these intense moods, they can attack other animals, including other lovebirds.
  • Peach-faced lovebirds are most known for aggressive behavior.

NESTING

  • Depending on the species, different lovebird species build their nests in various ways.
  • For example, peach-faced lovebirds tuck bark material in their rump feathers, while Fischer’s lovebirds and masked lovebirds use their beaks to carry single strips of bark.

LOVEBIRDS AS PETS

  • Lovebirds are social creatures, so keeping one without a pair is not recommended.
  • Pet lovebirds are hyperactive so they must be given large and spacious cages with perches that they can use to sit on.
  • Since lovebirds love a sense of companionship, they may be bored, stressed, or depressed when they are not given adequate affection or social stimulation.
  • They also love to use toys placed in a cage, like swings, tunnels, bird boxes, and wooden toys.
  • Creating a healthy diet for lovebirds is essential. Mixing seeds, nuts, grains, fruits, and vegetables is one way to keep lovebirds healthy. Organic pellets can also be mixed in their food.

LOVEBIRD SPECIES

  • The lovebird species commonly kept as pets are peach-faced lovebirds, masked lovebirds, and Fischer’s lovebirds.
  • The peach-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis), also known as the rosy-faced or rosy-collared lovebird, have distinct peach or rosy pink faces and throats, and the rest of their plumage is green. 
  • Native to the dry regions of southwestern Africa, peach-faced lovebirds are the most common species to be kept as pets.
  • Often smaller than the peach-faced lovebird is the masked lovebird, which is also called the black-masked and yellow-collared lovebird (Agapornis personatus).
  • The masked lovebird is native to the northeast of Tanzania.
  • The masked lovebird has a black head that appears to be a mask around the eyes and beak.
  • The Fischer’s lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) is a near-threatened species that commonly has a radiant plumage of mostly green and blue and shades of yellow and orange.
  • Fischer’s lovebirds inhabit the south and southeastern regions of Lake Victoria in northern Tanzania.
  • The Lilian’s or Nyasa lovebird (Agapornis lilianae) is another near-threatened species of the same plumage color scheme as the Fischer’s but with a softer saturation.
  • The Lilian’s lovebirds inhabit in African countries of Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Among all the species, the black-cheeked lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) is the most endangered.
  • The black-cheeked lovebird looks similar to the black-masked species, but its face is not covered all in black.
  • The Swindern’s or black-collared lovebird (Agapornis swindernianus) is a green parrot with a dark grey beak and a black “collar” or band on the back of its neck.
  • The black-collared species is commonly found in rainforests across Africa.
  • The Madagascar or grey-headed lovebird (Agapornis canus) is named as such because it is native to the island country of Madagascar.
  • The Madagascar species has a darker green plumage on its back and a muted gray beak. 
  • The Abyssinian or black-winged lovebird (Agapornis taranta) generally cannot be kept captive because it needs to feed on native figs. 
  • Found in the mountainous areas of Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Abyssinian species is mostly green with black wing feathers and a red beak.
  • The red-headed or red-faced lovebird (Agapornis pullarius) is predominantly green-feathered with a red upper neck and red face. It is native to central African regions.

Lovebird Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Lovebirds across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Lovebirds. Lovebird is the common name for a type of bird that belongs to the genus Agapornis, which is a group of small parrots native to the African continent.

Lovebird Worksheets
Lovebird Worksheets
Lovebird Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Lovebird Facts
  2. Lovely the Lovebird
  3. Lovebird ID
  4. Home of Lovebirds
  5. Bird Bluffs
  6. Scientific Crossword
  7. Love-bingo
  8. Spot the Lovebirds
  9. Pet Cage Design
  10. Love-servation
  11. Parrot Differences

Frequently Asked Questions

What are lovebirds?

Lovebirds are small, brightly colored parrots that are known for their affectionate behavior towards their mates. They are popular as pets due to their social nature and playful personalities.

How do lovebirds show affection?

Lovebirds show affection in various ways, including preening each other, feeding each other, snuggling up close, and vocalizing with each other. They also enjoy playing and exploring their environment together.

What should I feed my lovebirds?

Lovebirds should be fed a diet that consists of a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds. They also need access to fresh water at all times. It is important to avoid feeding them avocado, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol, as these can be toxic to birds.

Do lovebirds require special care?

Yes, lovebirds require special care, including a spacious cage, regular exercise, and social interaction with their owners or other birds. They also need regular veterinary checkups to ensure that they are healthy and free of disease.

How do I know if my lovebirds are mating?

Signs that your lovebirds are mating include increased vocalization, courtship behavior such as beak nibbling and head bobbing, and the female laying eggs in a nesting box. It is important to provide a safe and suitable nesting area if you wish to breed your lovebirds.

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Link will appear as Lovebird Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 13, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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