Yellow Collared Lovebird

The Yellow-collared Lovebird, also called Masked Lovebird or Eye Ring Lovebird, is a monotypic species of bird of the lovebird genus in the parrot family. They are native to northeast Tanzania, and they have been introduced to Burundi and Kenya.

Description

The Yellow-collared Lovebird is a mainly green small parrot about 14.5 cm (5.5 in) long. It upper parts are a darker green than its lower surfaces. Its head is black, and it has a bright red beak and white eyerings. Yellow on the breast is continuous with a yellow collar and an expansion of yellow over the nape of the neck. Male and female have identical external appearance.

Breeding

The Yellow-collared Lovebird brings nesting material in its beak to a tree cavity for their nest. The eggs are white and there are usually four to five in a clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 23 days and the chicks leave the nest about 42 days after hatching.

Aviculture

The blue mutation was originally found in wild birds in the 1920s and is the oldest colour mutation known in the lovebird genus. The other mutations are a result of selective breeding in aviculture. Various color mutations exist, including blue, cobalt, slate, dilute slate and violet.

They are also reportedly more shy and reserved in comparison to the Peach-faced Lovebird.