Rosy-collared lovebird, Peach-faced lovebird
The Rosy-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis ) is a species of lovebird native to arid regions in southwestern Africa. A loud and constant chirper, these birds are very social animals and often congregate in small groups in the wild. Lovebirds are renowned for their sleep position in which they sit side-by-side and turn their faces in towards each other.
Wild birds are mostly green in color and have a blue rump. The face and throat are pink, darkest on the forehead and above the eye. The bill is horn colored, the iris is brown and the legs and feet are grey. Juvenile birds have a pale pink face and throat, a greenish fore crown and crown, and the beak has a brownish base.
Rosy-faced lovebirds are found in southwest Africa. Their range extends from southwest Angola across most of Namibia to the lower Orange River valley in northwest South Africa. They don’t migrate and live year-round in broad-leaved woodland, semi-desert, and mountainous areas. Since these birds inhabit dry open areas they are dependent on the presence of water sources and gather around pools to drink.
Rosy-faced lovebirds are very gregarious and noisy birds. When food is plentiful, they may gather in flocks containing hundreds of individuals. Rosy-faced lovebirds are active during the day spending their time feeding, preening, bathing frequently, and roosting in pairs or in small groups. At night they like to sleep communally in the large nests of Sociable weavers. To communicate with each other Rosy-faced lovebirds use various harsh, shrieking calls.
Rosy-faced lovebirds are herbivores (granivores). They mainly feed on seeds but also eat flowers, berries, buds, and leaves.
Rosy-faced lovebirds are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. Their breeding season varies with location and also depends on the availability of food resources. During this time males perform courtship displays to attract females. Pairs build their nests in a rock crevice or within a compartment of the large communal nests of Sociable weavers. Man-made structures such as the roofs of houses may also be used. Females are well noted to tear raw materials into long strips, "twisty-tie" them onto their backs, and fly substantial distances back to make a nest. Females of this species lay 4 to 6 dull white eggs and incubate them for about 23 days. The chicks hatch altricial and are fed by regurgitation by the female. The young birds fledge after 43 days and start to breed at 2 months of age.
Rosy-faced lovebirds are not threatened at present but their populations have been reduced in some areas by trapping for the pet trade.
According to IUCN Red List, the Rosy-faced lovebird is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.
