How Big Do Female Madagascar Lovebirds Get?

Madagascar lovebirds (Agapornis cana) refer to a species from Africa's island country of Madagascar, as the common handle indicates. As with many other species of birds, Madagascar lovebirds display sexual dimorphism, which means that male and female specimens show some clear physical differences. Lovebirds in general, however, usually aren't sexually dimorphic. While these birds do exist in captivity, they're not widespread.

  1. Madagascar Lovebird Basics

    • In nature, these sturdy creatures gravitate to airy and woodsy environments, tending to stay away from thick forests. They usually are seen amid sizable flocks. Madagascar lovebirds don't exclusively inhabit their home nation, as many specimens have been brought to other islands in the region, too. Some of them reside in captivity, although getting them accustomed to the lifestyle often is not an easy task. Madagascar lovebirds usually are extremely timid around humans, and don't always respond well to living in cages, often hitting their bodies against the ceilings and walls in frustration. Some captive individuals, however, can be rather robust, occasionally even enjoying long lives. It isn't at all uncommon for captive birds in colder environments to experience some difficulties with their lungs, so take note of this possibility when caring for these birds.

    Male and Female Size

    • Adult female Madagascar lovebirds usually grow to lengths of approximately 5.5 to 6.3 inches. This mature size range also applies to the males, as both sexes are highly similar in this respect. As far as weight goes, male and female specimens are similar too, without any clear variations. Their sexual dimorphism lies in their feather coloring, not in their size.

    Key Male and Female Differences

    • Female Madagascar lovebirds generally have entirely dark green plumage. Males of the species are predominantly green too, but they also display grayish-silver elements, notably on their upper chests and heads. The males also sport some black coloration on the lower portions of their wings. The grayish coloration of the males is the inspiration for another frequently used name for these lovebirds -- "gray-headed lovebird." Breeders often label these birds by that moniker.

    Male Vocalization

    • Although size might not provide any useful clues for gender identification of Madagascar lovebirds, vocalization sometimes can provide such an indication. Male specimens, in times of breeding, are known for their signature song, which has a light, high-pitched and chirpy sound to it. These sounds tend to be on the innocuous side, rather than bothersome and overly noisy.