Kinds of African Lovebirds

Abyssinian Lovebird

• The Abyssinian lovebird is a dimorphic lovebird, according to African Lovebird Society, which means the cock, or male, is a different coloration than the hen, or female. The male is a bluish-green with a reddish forehead. They also have some black underneath their wings. The females are also bluish-green but with no red spots. Their underwings are green instead of black. They mate for life and in the wild can be found in the higher altitudes. Since these birds require constant companionship, they are best kept in pairs. If you choose to keep them individually, be prepared to devote a lot of time to them.

Fischer's Lovebird

• Unlike the Abyssinian lovebirds, Fischer's lovebirds are monomorphic. According to the African Lovebird society, this means that both both the female and male birds have the same markings. These lovebirds are green in color, with their wings and backs being a darker shade of green than the underside of the bird. The do have some orange-red coloring on their foreheads, cheeks and throat, although the cheeks and throat are a lighter shade. The circles around their eyes are an olive green and their tail feathers are violet. They also have coral-colored beaks and white or gray skin and feet. Fischer's are free breeders, even in captivity. These birds are communal birds and seek companions.

Masked Lovebird

• These lovebirds are also monomorphic. In general, the coloring of a masked lovebird is green. However, the cheeks of the bird are darker, usually a dark brown to black color. They have a yellow band around their neck which is thinner in back than in the front and their bills are red. The rings around their eyes are white. They are also free breeders like the Fischer's lovebird. There is one variation of the masked lovebird. These birds are blue with white bands around their necks. Their heads and eye rings are the same as the basic masked lovebird, but their beaks are a pale pink. Like the Abyssinian lovebird, they need lots of attention or another bird to build a relationship with.

Peach-Faced Lovebirds

• Peach-faced lovebirds are monomorphic birds as well; however, they do not have rings around their eyes like the masked and Fischer's lovebirds. The bodies of the peach-faced lovebird are green, and their undersides are yellow. Their backsides are a bright blue. They have peach-toned faces and cheeks, with a bill that ranges from yellowish to greenish at the tip. These birds are very friendly and loving. They are also very smart and playful. The Dutch blue and Lutino lovebirds are variations. The Dutch blue is a bluish-green color with a white face and chest with a strip of peach over its bill. The Lutino is marked much like the peach-faced lovebird, but its body is bright yellow.