Black-cheeked lovebird

Taxonomy

The black-cheeked lovebird is monotypic. The black-cheeked lovebird is sometimes seen as a race of Lilian's lovebird.

Description

The black-cheeked lovebird is 14 cm (5.5 in) in length,

Distribution and habitat

The black-cheeked lovebird inhabits deciduous woodland, where permanent supplies of surface water exist, as it needs daily access to water. In the dry season, these birds may congregate in large flocks of up to 800 or more. They are found in Zambia and may occur in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

Conservation

It is listed as a vulnerable species as its population is in decline due to continuous habitat loss. This is due to gradual desiccation of water bodies, causing drought, farming practices, hunting and trapping, fishing, logging and diseases. There are currently only between 2,500 and 9,999 mature individuals. However, they occur in nature reserves and there is an action plan in place to help them.

Diet

The black-cheeked lovebird feeds mainly at ground-level on annual grass seeds, but also on other vegetable matter and insect larvae, and on corn, sorghum, and millet.

Aviculture

The black-cheeked lovebird is relatively easy to breed in aviculture, but there was little interest in breeding them during the first half of the twentieth century at a time when imports were numerous. Now they are uncommon in aviculture and uncommon as pets.

References

References

1. BirdLife International. (2016). "''Agapornis nigrigenis''".
2. "''Agapornis nigrigenis'' W. L. Sclater, 1906".
3. It is [[Endemism. endemic]] to a relatively small range in southwest [[Zambia]], where it is vulnerable to [[habitat destruction. 1-86872-857-9
4. "Species factsheet: ''Agapornis nigrigenis''". BirdLife International (2008).
5. Le Breton, Kenny. (1992). "Lovebirds...getting started". T.F.H. Publications.