Fischer's Lovebird
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. Fischer's lovebird
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  • Scientific Name:  Agapornis fischeri
  • Common Name/s:  FISCHER'S LOVEBIRD
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin:  Nine different species/sub-species of lovebirds occur in the wild in Africa and Madagascar.
  • Origin / Distribution:  Kenya and Tanzania, Africa.
  • Habitat In Wild:  Savannah grasslands.
  • Status In Wild:  Declining, mainly to the past practise of trapping these birds for the export trade. Classified as near threatened.
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Secure.
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  About 4 - 6 months. 
  • Best breeding years (estimate):  For best results, the birds should not be allowed to breed before they reach the age of about 10 - 12 months.  Best breeding years are till about 7 years of age but may be successful for several more years.
  • Lifespan (estimate):  approx 8 - 10, but up to 15 years is possible.
  • Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic.  Difficult to accurately sex. DNA or surgical sexing may be required.
  • Colour mutations:  Yes
  • Availability:  Pet shops and bird dealers.
  • Temperament:  Makes a good beginners bird.  They are a popular aviary bird and are generally prolific breeders and may breed all months of the year.  Can be kept as a colony (provided the numbers of males and females are equal) in a suitable sized aviary but the parent birds can be aggressive to the young birds.  The young birds should be removed to a separate cage or aviary.  Lovebirds should not be housed with other types of birds due to the lovebirds aggressive nature especially at breeding time.  All species of lovebirds will easily hybridize and produce fertile young, so only one species should be kept per cage or aviary.  For best breeding results, or for breeding for specific colour, only keep one pair per aviary or cage. 
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $35 - $40
  • Description Of Adults:  Fischer's lovebirds, Black cheeked Lovebirds and the Nyasa Lovebirds are members of the "white eye ring group".
  1. Length: Approx. 140 - 150 mm (or approx  5.5 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 50 - 55 gms (or almost  2 ozs)
Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws:  Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements:  Refer to " Lovebirds " web page for general details on the housing of Lovebirds.

Fischer's Lovebirds will hybridize with other species of Lovebirds. Fischer's Lovebirds are adaptable birds that can be colony bred in an aviary or bred as a single pair in a cage.  Successful breeding in a colony relies on having only "pairs" in the aviary and no spare unpaired birds.

Double wiring between adjoining aviaries is required to prevent injuries such as toes and feet being bitten by a neighbouring pairs.

Diet / Feeding:   Refer to " Lovebirds " web page for general details on the feeding of Lovebirds.

Nesting:  As per "Lovebirds" web page.

  • Nesting months:  Will breed year round if conditions are suitable.
  • Nest-box:  Commercially made lovebird breeding boxes can be purchased cheaply form most bird dealers or pet shops.  Refer to "Lovebirds" web page.
  • Nesting log / nest-box material:  Birds carry the nesting material into the nest box. The preferred nest material is green fronds of the Christmas Island date palm. May also use the grasses, stalks of grasses, twigs, leaves and other plant materials.  The nest can be an elaborate structure making nest inspections difficult.
  • Who incubates the egg/s:  Hen

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year.. up to 3.  Eggs per nest  4 - 6.  Incubation approx. 23 days.  Fledge approx. 6 - 7 weeks.  Independent approx. another 2 - 3 weeks.

The cock bird does most of the feeding of the young after they leave the nest.  This feeding lasts for about 2 weeks.

Young should be removed from the parent birds as soon as they are fully independent so as to avoid possible aggression from a parent.

Hens should not be allowed to raise more than 3 clutches per year.

All 5 species of Lovebirds in Australia will hybridize and produce fertile offspring.  House only one species per cage or aviary.

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues:  Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References:  Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • A/A Vol  58  No. 1  Jan 2004  Page 4-5
  • A/A Vol  37  No. 12  Dec 1983  Page 279-281 (Inc photo).
  • A/A Vol  27  No. 12  Dec  1973  Page  210-212 (Inc photo)
  • A/A Vol 12 No 11 Nov 1958 Page 137-139,143-145 (Inc colour plate).
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 15 Issue 3. Jun-Jul  2002  Page 143-145
  • ABK Vol  7  Issue 2.  Apr-May  1994  Page 75
  • ABK Vol  1  Issue 4. Aug-Sept 1988  Page 114-115

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