The black-cheeked lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis) is a small parrot species of the lovebird genus. It is mainly green and has a brown head, red beak, and white eyerings.[2] It is endemic to a relatively small range in southwest Zambia, where it is vulnerable to habitat loss.[1][3]
The black-cheeked lovebird is monotypic.[2] The black-cheeked lovebird is sometimes seen as a race of Lilian's lovebird.[3]
Descriptionedit
Upper body
The black-cheeked lovebird is 14 cm (5.5 in) in length,[2] with mostly green plumage, reddish-brown forehead and forecrown, brownish-black cheeks and throat, orange bib below the throat which fades to yellowish-green, white eye-rings and grey feet. Adult have bright red beaks, while juveniles of the species are similar but with a more orange bill. Vocalizations are loud, piercing shrieks, which sound like the calls of other lovebirds.[4]
Distribution and habitatedit
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.[1]
Conservationedit
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.[1]
Dietedit
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.[5]
Avicultureedit
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.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abcdBirdLife International (2016). "Agapornis nigrigenis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22685360A93069915. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22685360A93069915.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
^"Species factsheet: Agapornis nigrigenis". BirdLife International (2008). Retrieved 9 July 2008.
February 15, 2024
black, cheeked, lovebird, black, cheeked, lovebird, agapornis, nigrigenis, small, parrot, species, lovebird, genus, mainly, green, brown, head, beak, white, eyerings, endemic, relatively, small, range, southwest, zambia, where, vulnerable, habitat, loss, conse. The black cheeked lovebird Agapornis nigrigenis is a small parrot species of the lovebird genus It is mainly green and has a brown head red beak and white eyerings 2 It is endemic to a relatively small range in southwest Zambia where it is vulnerable to habitat loss 1 3 Black cheeked lovebirdConservation statusVulnerable IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PsittaciformesFamily PsittaculidaeGenus AgapornisSpecies A nigrigenisBinomial nameAgapornis nigrigenisSclater WL 1906Distribution of the black cheeked lovebird Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Conservation 5 Diet 6 Aviculture 7 ReferencesTaxonomy editThe black cheeked lovebird is monotypic 2 The black cheeked lovebird is sometimes seen as a race of Lilian s lovebird 3 Description edit nbsp Upper bodyThe black cheeked lovebird is 14 cm 5 5 in in length 2 with mostly green plumage reddish brown forehead and forecrown brownish black cheeks and throat orange bib below the throat which fades to yellowish green white eye rings and grey feet Adult have bright red beaks while juveniles of the species are similar but with a more orange bill Vocalizations are loud piercing shrieks which sound like the calls of other lovebirds 4 Distribution and habitat editThe 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 1 Conservation editIt 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 1 Diet editThe 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 5 Aviculture editThe 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 2 References edit a b c d BirdLife International 2016 Agapornis nigrigenis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22685360A93069915 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22685360A93069915 en Retrieved 11 November 2021 a b c d Le Breton Kenny 1992 Lovebirds getting started USA T F H Publications pp 97 98 ISBN 0 86622 411 4 a b Birds of Africa south of the Sahara Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan 2003 Struik ISBN 1 86872 857 9 ARKive Species factsheet Agapornis nigrigenis BirdLife International 2008 Retrieved 9 July 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Black cheeked lovebird amp oldid 1198788470, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
