. 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".
- Length: Approx. 140 - 150 mm (or approx 5.5
inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- 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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