| Black-masked Lovebird | |
|---|---|
 blue morph | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Superfamily: | Psittacoidea |
| Family: | Psittaculidae |
| Subfamily: | Agapornithinae |
| Genus: | Agapornis |
| Species: | Agapornis personatus |
The Black-masked Lovebird, also known as Yellow-collared Lovebird, is a small, colourful parrot of African origin.
Description[]
A stout, compact 14.5-15 cm long bird, this parrot is characterized by its black head, which may have a brownish gloss and which contrasts heavily with its bright yellow collar. The rest of the plumage is mostly green, darker above and lighter below. The Black-masked Lovebird has a coral-red bill, grey legs, and a white eye-ring.
Behaviour[]
The Black-faced Lovebird is a sociable and noisy bird. It generally lives in groups of 20-30 individuals, but there are also larger colonies of about 100 birds, as well as isolated couples which form small groups of 4-6. Its feeding and breeding habits are similar to the Fischer's Lovebird. In certain parts of its range, the Black-faced Lovebird interbreeds with the Fischer's Lovebird, giving birth to fertile hybrids.
Distribution and habitat[]
The species is native to the large plateaus of northern Tanzania and also extends to the southern and eastern regions, between 1100 and 1700 meters of altitude, reaching as far as Lake Rukwa to the west and Morogoro to the south. Isolated populations mixed with Fischer's Lovebirds are found in the cities of Dar es Salaam, where the Black-masked Lovebird was introduced in 1928, and Tanga. In Kenya, a relatively large population has colonised the central-southern area of the Rift Valley, around the city of Naivasha. A few erratic groups roam around Nairobi and Mombasa, having most likely arrived from the Rift Valley and from Tanga. The Black-faced Lovebird prefers open, grassy areas with sparse acacia trees, but also inhabits cultivated areas.
Conservation[]
Though formerly threatened by illegal trade of wild birds, the species now has an abundant and stable population and a large range.
In captivity[]
Like the other eye-ringed lovebird species (Fischer's Lovebird, Black-cheeked Lovebird and Lilian's Lovebird), the Black-masked Lovebird breeds easily in captivity and is a common and popular pet. Various colour mutations exist, including blue, violet, lutino, and dilute.