Madagascar Lovebirds / Grey-headed Lovebirds
If you are starting out with lovebirds, I would also recommend visiting the following webpages:
- Lovebird General Information ... Lovebird Species
- Lovebirds as Pets ... Breeding Lovebirds
- Lovebird Diet: Feeding your lovebird for good health
- Lovebird Diseases (Diseases & Health Problems Lovebirds are Susceptible to)
- Lovebird Photo Gallery (Species Photos & Links)
Books, DVDs and Other Media about Lovebirds (Sold / shipped out of: 
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Are you looking for a lovebird? Click here for a listing of breeders
The Madagascar Lovebirds are native to the island of Madagascar off the coast of Africa and are rarely seen in captivity due to export restrictions from their native country.
Description:
The Madagascar Lovebird is the smallest of the lovebird species. This is a sexually dimorphic lovebird species, with distinct visual differences, as can be seen on the photo to the right (top female - bottom male).Cock:
- Back & Wings are dark green
- Head & chest: whitish gray
- Beaks, Legs & Feet: light gray
- Tail: black markings on the tail
- Iris: brown
- Lacks the gray patch on her forehead.
Potential Problems / Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Little is known about this bird other from the few specimens that are currently kept in private and zoo collections. Breeders state that this species is difficult to breed and recommend that this task should only be attempted by the most experienced aviculturists as this species is very delicate and as so little is known about their proper husbandry.
Even hand-fed birds tend to remain shy and nervous, and this species of lovebird may be better suited to aviary living than being kept as companion birds.
Since this lovebird is so endangered, experts would like to see any captive madagascar lovebirds be placed into a well-managed breeding program to ensure species survival. However, if there is an individual that isn't able to breed and you are considering it as a pet or for your aviary, the following may be of interest.
Speaking in general terms - and keeping in mind that this species is not as well known as the others - lovebirds tend to be easy to manage for most people. They are not as destructive and noisy as their larger cousins. If not properly socialized, however, they will discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us".
It really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. There are few things to consider ...
- Biting: If not properly socialized, however, they will discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us". They can be very aggressive towards other animals (including birds), if they don't know them or are jealous of the attention they are getting from their favorite human.
- Noise: Lovebirds are very vocal birds, making loud, high-pitched noises that can be a nuisance. They make noise all day, but especially at certain times of day.
- Chewing: As stated above, lovebirds are also very active, and love to chew things. When they are let out of their cage, it would be wise to watch them carefully, and protect any furniture, electrical wiring or anything else that they could possibly chew on. They are not big chewers - as their preferred medium is "paper."
- Paper: They love to tear up paper -- especially when they are in the "mating" spirit -- which is all-year-round for birds kept indoors (not exposed to the seasons). I have learned not to keep important papers laying around - and even use it as a way to keep my lovebird busy.
Training and behavioral guidance is recommended ...
- AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course. (Note: lovebirds rarely learn to talk, but there is a chance they may learn to mimic human speech if taught to at a young age.)
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
If you are considering a conure as a pet, the following web resources might be of interest:
- Procuring your Parrot
- Breeders:
- Breeder Listing by State / Country. Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- Housing & Caring for Your Conure: Conures love to climb and play and need to be provided with a cage that allows them to move around freely and toys to entertain themselves with. Please refer to the following websites for information:
Breeding
Lovebirds can start breeding when they are as young as ten months of age and may continue until they are five to six years. They are very prolific and may produce several egg clutches within a single year. Due to this, they are usually readily available on the pet market.
During breeding season the behavior between partners will change: the male displays a more aggressive behavior, while the female begins preparing the nest. There are specific nesting boxes for lovebird-size birds, but if not available a cockatiel nesting box will do just fine. Click here for nesting boxes.
The nests are almost entirely made by the females and the three to six eggs are incubated for about twenty-three days. The hatchlings will be cared for by the female until they leave the nest at about six weeks of age. The father then takes over the feeding of the young birds for another two weeks or so until they are weaned.
- For more information on breeding lovebirds, please click here.
Diet:
Lovebirds should be fed a quality seed mix, in addition to providing them with vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals. Bird-specific vitamins are available at the vets or better pet stores.
- Please click here for more information on nutritional requirements.
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Agapornis canus canus aka Agapornis cana cana ... English: Grey-headed Lovebird, Madagascar Lovebird ... Dutch: Grijskopagapornis, Madagascar Agapornis ... German: Grauköpfchen, Madagaskar Unzertrennlicher ... French: Inséparable àtête grise
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: cana, ablectanea
Distribution: Madagascar
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Sub-Species:
Blue-washed Grey-headed Lovebirds:
Species: Scientific: Agapornis canus ablectanea aka Agapornis cana ablectaneus ... English: Blue-washed Grey-headed Lovebird ... Dutch: Ablectanea Grijskopagapornis ... German: Bangs Grauköpfchen ... French: Inséparable ablectanea à tête grise
Distribution: South-western Madagascar
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (please scroll down to no. 2)
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