Peachfaced Love Bird (Agapornis roseicollis)

Peachfaced Love Birds are the most common Love Bird species in captivity. They usually breed freely, and are an excellent species for beginning and expert breeders alike. A great many color mutations have been established, with many new ones appearing only in the last few years. I am currently aware of at least seventeen distinct Peachfaced mutations, allowing well over 100,000 possible color combinations. Of all captive bred parrots, perhaps only the Budgerigar comes in a wider array of colors. Peachfaced originate in Southwestern Africa in and around Namibia and Angola. As best I am aware, they are fairly common and secure in their natural range. I have not seen any references to them being endangered in the wild. Peachfaced are the largest species of Love Bird, typically weighing in at from 50-60 grams. Abyssinian Love Birds (a. taranta) may be slightly longer than Peachies, but Abbies are quite slender, and Peachfaced will typically outweigh them by several grams. The normally colored Peachfaced shows a beautiful array of colors. The wings and back are dark green, with a lighter green color on the lower breast. The primary flight feathers have dark green on the leading edge, darkening to black near the wingtip, with the trailing edge of the primaries mostly black. The face is a bright red/orange color which gives these birds their name. The rump is an irridescent tourquoise blue, and the beak is horn colored.

There is one Peachfaced subspecies, "agapornis roseicollis catumbella", which is slightly smaller and more intensely colored than the nominate species. A few of these birds may be held in European collections, though this point is currently a matter of considerable debate and speculation. It is almost certain that no Catumbella are currently present in the United States.

Peachfaced have lively, inquisitive personalities, and handfed babies that are properly socialized can make delightful pets. Contrary to the popular myth, it is not necessary to keep Love Birds as pairs. In fact, single birds often make better pets, since in the absence of another bird they often become more closely bonded to their human companion.

Left: Blue peachfaced Love Bird.

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