Black-winged Lovebird
Image courtesy of Klaus Hofmann. Female and male.
Latin name
Agapornis taranta
Common names
Black-winged Lovebird
Abyssinian Lovebird
Description
This is the largest of all the Lovebird species and sexually dimorphic. It is identified by the black flight feathers on the male and no bare eye-ring. The red is restricted to the forecrown in the male and is absent in the female.
Adult male:
The forehead, lores, and feathered eye-ring are red. The flight feathers and underwing-coverts are black. The lower back to upper tail-coverts are green as is the tail, the lateral feathers being yellow at the base and subterminally banded black. The bill is coral-red, iris dark brown and legs gray.
Adult female:
As for the male except her head is entirely green and underwing-coverts are green also. Although sometimes with black markings.
Juveniles:
The juveniles resemble the female but with the male having black underwing-coverts. The bill is a dusky yellow with black base.
Mutations:
It is unlikely that any mutations exist, although cinnamon and blue mutations have been seen in the past.
Size
Length 17cm (6.5in)
Weight 48g
Wing length 10cm (4in)
Age at maturity
Lifespan
Distribution
In the wild they are found in the highlands of Ethiopia and southern Eritrea, mostly at 1600 to 3800m. They are fairly common in the forests and woodland and cultivated areas, less so on the savannah grassland. They are resident birds with some movement depending on food availability. The flock size is usually less than 20, but flocks will congregate in fruiting trees. They roost communally in tree hollows, probably old nest holes of woodpeckers and barbets. They will leave these roosts to feed shortly after daybreak, returning about an hour before nightfall.
Personality
Housing
The Black-winged Lovebird is a hardy species due to the conditions in its natural habitat. It can therefore live happily in an aviary all year round in temperate climates, so long as it has a snug nest box to shelter in.
Feeding
In the wild they feed in the upper stages to tree canopy. Flocks will come together to feed on ripe fruit.
Breeding
The female likes a small nest box in which she will add a few leaves and twigs. She is not a good nest builder and is happy with the bare minimum of nesting materials. The average clutch size is 3 to 5 eggs which she incubates for about 25 days. The chicks fledge at about 7 weeks old due to the cold night time temperatures in their natural habitat. Adult plumage is acquired at around 4 months old.
Like the Gray-headed Lovebird it is worthy of establishing vigorous strains and increasing the captive population.
Availability
They are not commonly bred in captivity so availability is sporadic.
General notes
This species has never become a well established cage or aviary bird. It was imported to Germany in 1906, Britain in 1909 and the United States some time later.
Living with this parrot
Video clips
Pictures
References and further reading