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Madagascar Lovebird
Common Names:
Grey-headed Lovebird
Scientific Name:
Agapornis cana
Origin:
Madagascar
Relative Size:
Small 30-40 grams
Average Lifespan:
Unknown
Madagascar Lovebirds are the only lovebirds that do
not come from Africa. They come from Madagascar, a large island in
the Indian Ocean. These birds thrive well in cultivated land or
cleared grasslands. It’s not uncommon to see them in the suburbs or
near forest edges.
Habitat:
In their natural
habitat these birds enjoy fruits, but most dine on small seeds from
grasses. They intermingle with flock members that can consist of 10
or more birds. These flocks allow them to scan for danger while
foraging on the ground. Madagascar Lovebirds are very jumpy and
timid birds. They cannot cope with stress and need their privacy in
order to function in captivity. This lovebird is said to act more
like a finch rather then a parrot.
Appearance:
Madagascar Lovebirds are small. In fact, they are the smallest of
all lovebird species. These birds are sexually dimorphic, which
means they can be sexed visually. The male’s neck, head, and chest
area are covered with gray. The female lacks the gray bib; however,
her coloring is identical to the male. Both have yellowish markings
under their tails, wings, and on the undersides; black markings
highlight the wings and tail feathers.
Breeding: Breeding
these birds is proving to be difficult. They do not thrive as well
in captivity as other lovebirds. When breeding this specie, most
require large aviaries with extreme privacy. Just checking on the
Madagascar’s nest can cause them to abandon their eggs. Breeding
Madagascar’s can be tricky. Since there is such a limited supply,
many breeders are joining together to help stabilize their
population inside the United States. Importing Madagascar Lovebirds
is not an option since importing exotic birds ceased in 1993.
Pets:
It’s highly unlikely that the average bird enthusiast will ever come
across a pet Madagascar Lovebird. If they do, these birds make
lousy pets. They are very nervous and hate to be handled—even if
handfed. It is safe to say that not enough time has been invested
to really validate this statement. If breeding Madagascar Lovebirds
continues to be successful, then one day more effort might be made
into researching their pet potential.
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