Both male and female fischers lovebirds make wonderful pets. Due to peach faced lovebirds being kept more than other lovebird species, many mutations have been bred and are available today in the pet trade. It takes another five weeks before the babies are ready to leave the. Upper tail feathers can have purple or blue highlights. In addition to which, good quality food and supplies are expensive.
The eye ring group, as they are known, are made up of four separate and distinct species of lovebird. Provided you have a true and mature pair at least 10months or older, they will go down to the business of breeding pretty quickly. Lovebirds are so plentiful that people pay very little for one notwithstanding the many hours a day you spend handfeeding, cleaning up after the breeder birds and chicks, and socializing the baby. While energetic, fischers tend to be gentler than other lovebird species, especially when in. Prevue pet products lovebird nest box 1102 is solid hardwood with an indented bottom center to prevent egg rolling. During the breeding season, the pair will break from the flock and seek a cavity to raise their young. They were originally discovered in the late 19th century, and were first bred in the united states in 1926. Breeding lovebirds that bird blog pet blogs that fish place. Welcome to fischer flights aviary, located in guelph, ontario, canada. The tail is multicolored with hues of blue, red, and green.
A lovebird will lay between three and eight eggs at a time and the chicks will be born about three weeks later. They are one of the smallest gainbirds, about 14 centimeters 5. Mutations in the birds coloration occur, and bird breeders will sometimes select for those anomalies. The fischers lovebirds have many health scares in their lifetime. Female lovebirds lay their eggs from five to 12 after mating. They live in small flocks in high altitude areas among small clumps of trees. Feb 06, 2018 breeding age for lovebirds lovebirds need to be at least 10 months old, though 12 to months is better. African lovebird society lexicon of parrots birdlife international internet bird collection a guide to parrots of the world, juniper and parr, 1998 ml media collection catalogue 17967, fischers lovebird agapornis fischeri, parker, theodore a. Feb 19, 2020 look of love pair of fischer s lovebirds right mating. Agapornis fischeri, or fischers lovebird, is found primarily in tanzania, in central east africa. In the wild, these parrots feed on figs, juniper berries, blossoms, and seeds. Nine lovebird species exist, but only three are commonly kept as pets.
However, most species that are kept as pets cannot be. It keeps out harsh sunlight in midsummer and keeps them dry during the rainy season. Most fischer s lovebirds will not eat new foods, but placing a dish inside the cage daily will encourage them to try it. Agapornis fischeri fischers lovebird animal diversity web. Browse through available fischers lovebirds for sale by aviaries, breeders and bird rescues. During breeding season, these lovebirds take to the trees, finding hollows in which to build their nests.
It is what ultimately determines the quality of your babies once you have chosen healthy, genetically diverse stock for breeding pairs. They tend to have cute chatter and beautiful coloring, in addition to being very social creatures. Lovebird breeding basics explained the spruce pets. Most lovebirds breed in colonies, but some nest in isolated pairs. Information and cautions for small parrot breeders written by zoologist frank indiviglio on that reptile blog. Lovebirds make their nests in cliff faces, termite mounds, holes excavated by woodpeckers and nests of swifts, weavers, sparrows and other birds. There are 9 known species of the lovebird agapornis. Fischers lovebirds are a completely different species from peachfaces. I only had a few fischer s lovebirds and they were not as friendly as my peachfaces however, other breeders have produced very friendly fischers lovebirds genetic traits are also involved in shaping a birds personality. They are very prolific and may produce several egg clutches within a single year. Young birds are very similar to adults, except that they are duller and have brown markings at the base of their ants. I have 2 pairs of brothers and sisters of 2 and 4 mths old of the same parent. I have heard of people housing them together since infancy with no reported problems at the time, but when adulthood and breeding season rolled around simultaneously a whole new side of the birds would show, and then theyd need to be separated. A normal peach faced lovebird is green and has a red mask that starts at the top of the forehead and fades to a peach color as it moves toward the breast and neck area.
A deep space in a tree usually acts as nest for breeding with a height of 200 to 1500 centimeters from the ground. African lovebird society lexicon of parrots birdlife international internet bird collection a guide to parrots of the world, juniper and parr, 1998 ml media collection catalogue 17967, fischer s lovebird agapornis fischeri, parker, theodore a. Meanwhile, the mother sits on the eggs for 23 days. Nutrition determines the quality and health of your lovebird breeding pairs and young. They were first bred in captivity in 1926 and have since become immensely popular in aviaries and as pets. Feb 12, 2009 hi i have a female fischer of few years and a friend offer to give me a male black masked lovebird. The proper size nest for a lovebird is about 12 inches on each side, with an entrance hole about three inches in diameter. Fischers lovebird breeding seasons are divided into two categories such as january to april and june to july.
Their diminutive size, though it makes care easier than some of their larger relatives, might confuse a prospective owner about their true nature. Breeding lovebirds can be a rewarding, educational and overall challenging experience but its easy to get started. Fischers lovebirds, which live in africa, breed during the dry season that lasts from january through july. Lovebirds show each other affection and are known for biting, or nipping, each others beaks a behavior that makes them look as though they are kissing, which is where the common name lovebird arose. The term lovebird arose from the strong bonds that mates make with one another. Look at the nest every morning to see if there are any eggs. The madagascar lovebird was once held but has not been seen since about 1990. Agapornis fischeri breed january to april and june to july during the dry season. I have been breeding birds seriously for the past fifteen years.
The eyes are black with a thin white circle around the eye. She may produce one egg every other day, up to 5 or 6 eggs. Most fischers lovebirds will not eat new foods, but placing a dish inside the cage daily will encourage them to try it. The beak is beige and extends downward about an inch. The fischers lovebird has a green back, chest, and wings, and its neck glows golden yellow upward to its sunset orangecolored head, leading to a flaming red beak. Peach faced lovebirds are the second largest of the lovebird species. Fischers lovebirds eat a wide variety of foods, including seeds and fruit. The first successful captive breeding of agapornis fischeri was documented on january 11th of 1928. The mutation was most likely transmuted from a personatus.
Breeding challenges and chick handrearing procedures. One bird transfers food to the mouth of its mate, a feeding technique reminiscent of. Fischer s lovebird agapornis fischeri is a small parrot species of the genus agapornis. The 5 species currently listed on the inventory of exotic nonnative bird species known to be in australia, 2002 held in australia are from africa. These birds also come in a variety of colors, from the wildtype green to the dramatic lutino and captivating albino. Choosing a lovebird is never easy, especially because of the large number of birds around the world. Top opening for easy cleaning and removal of bedding materials. Breeding season is january through april and june through july. In years of drought, they readily travel to rwanda and burundi in search of food.
While energetic, fischers tend to be gentler than other lovebird species, especially when in an aviary environment. The commonlykept lovebirds, such as the peachfaced, fischers and. To breed successfully, each breeding lovebird should be healthy and between one and five years old. Their breeding season has two distinct periods during the year, the first occurring from january to april, and the second being shorter, from june to july. While they are affectionate to their mates, they are territorial and aggressive to others they view as intruders, like other birds in the household. Fischers lovebirds show no sexual dimorphism, therefore it is impossible to tell whether an individual is male or female through plumage alone. However, one of the best of this breed is the fischers lovebird, ideal especially if.
If you look it up or take it to a vet hopefully you can help its splayed legs get better. Zoologist frank indiviglio discusses breeding lovebirds in captivity on that. The masked, fischer s, the blackcheeked and the nyasa love birds. Proper nesting material, such as shredded paper, should fill the nest box. There are pelvic exams to determine sex, that in breeding season are not 100% accurate. Breeding season occurs from january to april and from june to july. In the wild, however, breeding seasons differ for different species. One of the smallest parrot species, fischers lovebird are around 57 inches tall and weigh around 1. Perches of various sizes, shapes, and textures wooden or metallic should be provided, along with toys and papers, the latter because it is one the fischer lovebirds favorite items to chew on, especially during the breeding season, which, for captive lovebirds, last yearround. In most cases, the female lovebird will lay her first egg ten days after mating and then will brood, or sit on the eggs, after the second is laid. Fischer s lovebirds have been kept as pets since the 1550s. The male and female fischer lovebird can look the same and the best way to determine the sex is through dna test. Lovebirds are known as an eyering species and originate from africa.
Fischers lovebirds for sale birds and parrots for sale and. Once a pair has chosen a specific nestbox and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season. By the year 1931 the berlin zoo in germany had reared 68 a. Fischer s lovebirds show no sexual dimorphism, therefore it is impossible to tell whether an individual is male or female through plumage alone. Beautiful white eyeringed lovebirds come in a range of colours. The mutation is also an autosomal recessive mutation. They are named after german explorer gustav fischer. Fischers love bird description gender breeding nesting. Lovebirds usually live in holes in trees, rocks or shrubs in the wild. Normal fischers lovebird agapornis fischeri native to northern and central parts of tanzania to the south of lake victoria, the fischers lovebird is widely kept throughout the world.
Courtship and mating the male lovebird woos the female by feeding her, which is the first sign of courtship during the breeding season. Look of love pair of fischers lovebirds right mating. Unfortunately, males and females of the most commonly kept lovebirds the peachfaced, fischers and masked are nearly indistinguishable by eye. The fischer s lovebird they have been kept as pets from, approximately, midsixteenth century. Reproduction is another of the issues of great importance to fischers lovebird and their reproductive habits are well known by breeders. Due to this, they are usually readily available on the pet market. To breed successfully, each breeding lovebird should be healthy, normal and between 1 and 5 years old. The breeding season is january through april and june through july. Both male and female fischer s lovebirds make wonderful pets. Lovebirds need a nest box in which to lay their eggs.
Many lay an egg every other day until they have all been laid. These parrots need more fat in their diet and higher levels of vitamin b to remain healthy. Seeds are an essential component of the fischers lovebird diet. There are many fischer s lovebird enthusiasts who report that their lovebird is the most loving around.
The nest of the fischers lovebird is a hole in dead tree, or in dead branch of living tree, often an abandoned woodpecker nest, and also in natural cracks in branches. Also, even friendly, longterm pets usually become quite protective of their nests, and will remain aggressive towards you throughout the breeding season. Dna male masked lovebird dna female mauve masked fischer lovebird 4. The first captive breeding success agapornis fischeri it was documented 11 in january of 1928. If they become friendly and will play, groom, cuddle, or at least standhuddle with each other within a week or two, its safe to say that they will be just as good cagemates as any samespecies pair. Fischer love bird food, cage, toys, accessories india online fischer love birds, food, cages, toys and accessories online in india, buy now enjoy love bird as a pets. When they mate so no special time really my guess would be around may dec. Love birds colony breeding easy way to breeding youtube. Unlike most parrots, fischers lovebirds will collect nesting. In captivity, lovebirds breed any time during the year. Fischers lovebird agapornis fischeri parrot encyclopedia. The fischers lovebird is named for the strong bonds formed between mating pairs. Fischer s lovebirds, which live in africa, breed during the dry season that lasts from january through july.
Forehead and bill red, less intense on rest of head and shading on nape, sides of neck and throat to yellowish pink, then green on lower breast and bel. Agapornis fischeri, or fischers lovebird, is found primarily in tanzania. Dutch blue lovebirds take about a full year to reach their jewellike bluish green coloring. The standard fischers lovebird has a bright orange face that fades into green and blueybrown starting from the back of the neck. Beautiful, playful, and energetic, this vivacious species is sought after by lovebird enthusiasts. They have a scarlet beak and a white ring around each eye. Typically, they are laid four to five eggs per season. I use plexiglass to cover my outdoor cages yearround. Aug 31, 2019 the fischers lovebird is a small parrot native to northern tanzania. After previously breeding different species of lovebirds i decided to concentrate on the fischers, and for the last ten years ive enjoyed the challenges of breeding different fischers mutations. Aug 08, 2008 watch for breeding activity the female will tuck paper under tail and take into nest spot some will spend alot of time in the nest box and the male will sit outside the box watch for female to mate she will spread her wings and lift her tail ready for male. Mates like to be in physical contact as much as possible. They are less common in captivity than pitchmasked or blackmasked lovebirds, but they are affordable. Lovebirds can start breeding when they are as young as ten months of age and may continue until they are five to six years.
Perches of various sizes, shapes, and textures wooden or metallic should be provided, along with toys and papers, the latter because it is one the fischer lovebird s favorite items to chew on, especially during the breeding season, which, for captive lovebirds, last yearround. For peachfaced lovebirds, its april, october and february through march. The fischers lovebird found its way to australia via imports to the uk and europe and then on into australia, prior to the government import bans in 1949. The masked, fischers, the blackcheeked and the nyasa love birds. The fischers lovebird is a small parrot native to northern tanzania. Fischers lovebird is for sale some selected places. Move the birds to the same cage after a couple of days. The pastel fischers lovebird shows about a 50% reduction in melanin, resulting in a light green bird with a dirty orange head with an orange forehead. Fishers lovebirds are popular pet birds good for anyone. Two are rf dd olive greens, ones a rf sea green, all hens. When they are young like this they can be fixed by making a little brace for there legs. Place the birds in cages next to one another before putting them in the same cage. Fischers lovebirds, like other lovebirds in the genus agapornis, mate for life.
The eggs are white, usually three to five in a clutch. Many breeders will place these foods inside the breeding cage a month before the breeding season. Vibrant as a painters palette, the fischers lovebird is a sight to behold, from its tangerinecolored face to its mintyhued tail feathers. Are fischers and peachface lovebirds compatible cage mates. Buy the supplies to give your lovebirds a home where they feel comfortable and can breed successfully. Get your lovebirds a cage of no less than 18x18x12 inches with the bars spaced no more than 34 inch apart. When you know that each lovebird is healthy, introduce the pair. They have also been known to nest in cliffs and buildings. All of these species form strong, monogamous pair bonds and generally mate for life. Females can become a bit nippy during the breeding season and more territorial. The breeding season of fischer lovebirds begins in january to april and june to july. Fischers lovebird the playful, energetic lovebird companion. Also birds that are 5 to 6 years or older should be retired from breeding.
The fischers lovebird is a small parrot species first discovered in late 19th century by gustav fischer, a german explorer of africa, whose name these birds bear. The fischers lovebird has plenty of energy and can be a loyal friend if interacted with regularly. The biggest health concern for these birds is because of the numerous nutritional deficiencies that they might suffer from. Jul 08, 2009 also, even friendly, longterm pets usually become quite protective of their nests, and will remain aggressive towards you throughout the breeding season. However, pairs of any type of lovebirds will occasionally break up if they discover that. Take it slowly, as it could take a few days for the birds to get used to one another. Fischers lovebirds eyering lovebirds beauty of birds.