Lilian's lovebird: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:17, 12 November 2006

Latest revision as of 07:37, 25 July 2025

(120 intermediate revisions by 70 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Short description|Species of bird}}

{{Taxobox | color = pink

{{Speciesbox

| image = beki2.jpg

| binomialimage = ''Agapornis lilianae'' (Zambia).jpg

| name = Lilian's Lovebird

| status = NT

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| regnum = [[Animalia]]

| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=''Agapornis lilianae'' |volume=2018 |page=e.T22685356A131916985 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22685356A131916985.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>

| phylum = [[Chordata]]

| status2 = CITES_A2

| classis = [[Bird|Aves]]

| status2_system = CITES

| ordo = [[parrot|Psittaciformes]]

| status2_ref = <ref>{{cite Species+ |id=10797 |title=''Agapornis lilianae'' Shelley, 1894 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>

| familia = [[true parrots|Psittacidae]]

| genus = ''[[Agapornis]]''

| species = '''''A. lilianae'''''

| authority = [[George Ernest Shelley|Shelley]], 1894

| binomial = ''Agapornis lilianae''

| range_map = Lillians_lovebird_distribution.gif

| binomial_authority = ([[Prideaux John Selby|Selby]], 1836)

| range_map_caption = Range in red.

}}

The '''Lilian's Lovebird''' also know as '''Nyasa Lovebird''' (''Agapornis lilianae'') is rare and endemic to [[Malawi]].

Often mistaken for ''Agapornis fischeri'' but are smaller in size, and lack the olive-green hood and the blue lower-back of the Fischers.

Nyasa species is one of the least studied of all lovebird species. There have not been any previous ecological and field studies of this species but there is a new Research Project conducted by Research Centre for Parrot Conservation ([[University of KwaZulu-Natal]], [[South Africa]]). This study represents a very important step towards defining Nyasa Lovebird ecology and conservation.

'''Lilian's lovebird''' ('''''Agapornis lilianae'''''), also known as the '''Nyasa lovebird''', is a small African [[parrot]] species of the [[lovebird]] genus. It is mainly green and has orange on its upper chest and head. It is 13&nbsp;cm (5&nbsp;inches) long and is the smallest parrot on mainland [[Africa]]. In captivity, it is uncommon and difficult to breed.

The Nyasa Lovebird currently inhabits [[Liwonde National Park]] (LNP) and a few cluster groups occur in the surrounding forests outside LNP. Its distribution is rapidly becoming restricted to LNP because their feeding and breeding habitats are being exploited over for agricultural purposes. The extent of habitat loss outside LNP has not been determined scientifically although remaining habitat outside the LNP are fragmented Miombo Forest Reserves. Liwonde National Park is located in the southern region of Malawi, which has the highest human population density in the country approximating 100-115 inhabitants per km² (FAO, 1997). LNP is greatly impacted by population growth and agricultural activities than any other national park in the country. Recently, cases of Nyasa Lovebird poisoning have intensified although it is not known why poachers are poisoning the birds. Nyasa Lovebird Researchers assume poachers mean to poison larger mammals and Lovebirds fall victims.

== Description ==

Nyasa Lovebirds have proved to be a difficult species to rear in captivity. Many breeders worldwide struggle to breed the species.

[[File:AgapornisLilianaeKeulemans.jpg|thumb|left|upright]]

The Lilian's lovebird is 13&nbsp;cm (5&nbsp;inches) long and is mainly green with white eyerings. It has orange on its head, neck and upper chest and has a green rump. Male and female are identical in external appearance.<ref name = KLB>{{cite book |first = Kenny |last = Le Breton |title = Lovebirds...getting started |year = 1992 |isbn = 0-86622-411-4 |publisher = T.F.H. Publications |___location = USA |pages = [https://archive.org/details/lovebirdsashobby00lebr/page/88 88–89] |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/lovebirdsashobby00lebr/page/88 }}</ref>

The Lilian's lovebird is often mistaken for the slightly larger [[Fischer's lovebird]], which has an olive-green hood and a blue rump. It is also broadly similar to the [[rosy-faced lovebird]], which has more clearly demarcated orange colouration, and lacks a white eyering.<ref name = KLB/>

===Food and feeding===

Lilian's lovebirds feed on grass seeds, millet, wild rice, flowers, and the seeds and fruit of other species.<ref name = "BLI factsheet">{{cite web| publisher =BirdLife International (2008) |url = http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1513&m=0 |title = Species factsheet: ''Agapornis lilianae'' | access-date = 9 July 2008}}</ref>

===Breeding===

The breeding season for Lilian's lovebirds is from January to March and in June and July. They make a roofed nest in tree crevices. In captivity the clutch consists of three to eight white eggs, which are incubated for about 22 days, and the chicks leave the nest after about 44 days from hatching.<ref name = "BLI factsheet"/>

==Distribution and habitat==

Lilian's lovebirds are [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Malawi]], [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zambia]], and [[Zimbabwe]]. In 2004 its numbers in the wild were estimated to be less than 20,000 individuals.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> It currently inhabits [[Liwonde National Park]] (LNP) and a few cluster groups occur in the surrounding forests outside LNP. Its distribution is rapidly becoming restricted to LNP because their feeding and breeding habitats are being exploited over for agricultural purposes. The extent of habitat loss outside LNP has not been determined scientifically although remaining habitat outside the LNP are fragmented Miombo Forest Reserves.

==Threats==

Liwonde National Park is located in the southern region of Malawi, which has the highest human population density in the country approximating 100-115 inhabitants per km² (FAO, 1997). LNP is greatly impacted by population growth and agricultural activities than any other national park in the country.

Recently, cases of Lilian's lovebird poisoning have intensified although it is not known why poachers are poisoning the birds. Lilian's lovebird researchers assume poachers mean to poison larger mammals and lovebirds fall victims.

==Lifespan and health issues==

The lifespan for Lilian's lovebirds is 10–12 years. The major health concern for these species is loneliness. These birds mate for life.

==Similarities==

Mitochondrial gene for Lilian's lovebird aligns with [[rosy-faced lovebird]]s.

[[Category:==Aviculture]]==

NyasaLilian's Lovebirdslovebirds have proved to beare a difficult species to rear in [[captivity (animal)|captivity]].<ref name = KLB/> Many breeders worldwide struggle to breed the species.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

* {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=48007|title=Agapornis lilianae|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened

{{Psittaculini}}

==External links==

{{parrot-stub}}

* Lilian's lovebird - [http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/368.pdf Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds].

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1144584}}

[[Category:Aviculture]]

[[category:Lovebirds]]

[[Category:Birds of Africa]]

[[Category:Lovebirds|Lilian's lovebird]]

[[tr:Çilek kafalı ayrılmaz]]

[[Category:Birds of East Africa]]

[[Category:Birds described in 1896|Lilian's lovebird]]

[[Category:Taxa named by George Ernest Shelley|Lilian's lovebird]]