Black-collared Lovebird

Black-collared Lovebird

Image courtesy of Stavenn

Latin name

Agapornis swindernianus

Subspecies:
A. s. swinderniianus
A. s. zenkeri

A. s. emini

Common names
Black-collared Lovebird
Swinderen’s Lovebird
Liberian Lovebird

Description
This is the only Lovebird species with a black nuchal collar and black bill. They have no white bare eye-ring and there is no sexual dimorphism.
A. s. swindernianus Adults:
They have a narrow black nuchal collar, below which the neck is a dull yellow colour. The lower back to upper tail-coverts are a deep mauve-blue. The primary coverts, primaries and outer secondaries are black. The underwing-coverts and tail are green. The lateral feathers at the base are red and subterminally banded black. The bill is gray-black, iris yellow and legs greenish gray.
Juveniles:
The black nuchal collar is absent. The lower back to upper tail-coverts is a paler blue. The lateral tail-feathers are dull orange at the base. The bill is pale gray with black at the base and the iris is brown.
A. s. zenkeri Adults:
The entire neck is reddish-brown below the black nuchal collar and extends to suffusion on the breast.
Juveniles:
The entire neck is green.
A. s. emini:
As for zenkeri but less extensive reddish-brown on neck and breast.

Size
Length 13cm (5in)
Weight 40g

Wing length 9.5cm (3.75in)

Age at maturity

Lifespan

Distribution

West and central Africa up to 1800m but mostly below 800m. In West Africa their habitat is threatened by widespread deforestation and they are generally scarce and declining. In other parts they are locally fairly common. They mainly frequent lowland primary and secondary forests only occasionally visiting cultivation.
When seen they are in small, noisy and gregarious flocks, although little is known about them. They feed in the upper stages to canopy, seldom coming to the ground and are difficult to detect. It is thought that they return to a favoured feeding tree at sunrise and roost communally at a traditional site.

Personality
Unknown.

Housing
As they are not kept in captivity their requirements are unknown at present.

Feeding
Mostly unknown, although it is thought they need a daily supply of specific fresh figs and are thought to be more insectivorous than other Lovebird species.
They feed in the forest canopy, not on the ground.

Breeding
Unknown.

Availability
These birds are not available in aviculture. Should they ever be kept in captivity they will command huge sums of money until successful breeding, and therefore availability, is established.

General notes
It has not been possible to keep these birds in captivity for more than a few days. They will either die or be released to save them from death. These birds represent a huge challenge to aviculture.

Living with this parrot
Unknown.

Video clips

Pictures

References and further reading

This page was last modified on Sunday, March 22, 2009

PARROT SPECIES