Black-Winged Lovebird Parrot
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Psittaciformes
Super Family:
Psittacoidea
Family:
Psittaculidae
Subfamily:
Agapornithinae
Genus:
Agapornis
Species:
A. taranta
Binomial name:
Agapornis
taranta
The Black-winged Lovebird (Agapornis taranta) also
known as Abyssinian Lovebird is a mainly green bird of the parrot family.
At about 16.5 cm (6.5 inches) long, it is the largest of the lovebird genus,
a group of small parrots. The adult male is easily identified by its red forehead
and the adult female by its all green head. They are native to Eritrea and
Ethiopia, and they are uncommon as pets.
Description
The Black-winged Lovebird, with a length of about 16–16.5 cm
(6.25–6.5 inches), is the largest of all the lovebirds. It
is sexually dimorphic, as are the Red-headed Lovebird and Grey-headed Lovebird of the lovebird
genus. The dimorphism becomes apparent in juvenile birds after their first molt
at about eight or nine months of age. Both the male and female Black-winged
Lovebird are mostly green, and only the adult male Black-winged Lovebird has a
red forehead and a ring of red feathers around its eyes.
The tail is black tipped and feathers below the tail show a
yellowish colour. The rump and feathers above the tail are light green. In the
male feathers under the wing are typically black, and in the female the
feathers under the wing are typically greenish or brownish black. Both sexes
have a red beak and gray feet.
Habitat
The natural habitat for a Black-winged Lovebird is typically
from southern Eritrea to southwestern Ethiopia and
they normally live in either high plains or mountainous regions.
Food and
Feeding
Sunflower seeds, corn, apples and mission
figs are typical of an Abyssinian Lovebird diet.
Breeding
The Black-winged Lovebird nests in a tree
cavity. The eggs are white and there are usually three or four eggs in a
clutch. The female incubates the eggs for 23 days, and the chicks fledge from
the nest about 45 days after hatching.
Status
Widespread and a common species throughout its habitat range,
the Black-winged Lovebird is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species.
Aviculture
In aviculture the Black-winged Lovebird has not become well
established as a breeding bird, although it can tolerate cold weather. Breeding
in aviculture is on a small scale, so it is an uncommon pet.
