Red-headed lovebird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-headed lovebird |
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| Male (foreground) and female | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittaculidae |
| Genus: | Agapornis |
| Species: |
A. pullarius
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| Binomial name | |
| Agapornis pullarius (Linnaeus, 1758)
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| Synonyms | |
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Psittacus pullarius Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The red-headed lovebird (Agapornis pullarius), also called the red-faced lovebird, is a small, colorful parrot. It belongs to a group of birds known as lovebirds. Like other lovebirds, it comes from Africa. These birds are famous for the strong bonds they form with their partners.
Contents
About the Red-Headed Lovebird
What Does It Look Like?
The red-headed lovebird is about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. Most of its body is green. It has a bright red area on its head. This red color goes from the top of its beak, over its forehead, and up to the middle of its head. It also spreads out to the sides, reaching its eyelids.
- Males: Adult males have a bright red beak. Their head color is a clear, strong red.
- Females: Females have an orange color on their heads. This color is not as bright or as clearly defined as the male's red. Their beaks are a paler red.
- Other Features: Both males and females have grey feet. The underside of their wings is a lighter green.
Where Do They Live?
Red-headed lovebirds live in the tropical rainforests of Africa. They are found in different areas across the continent. Their homes are often in places with lots of trees and warm, wet weather.
Life Cycle and Habits
How Do They Make Nests?
These lovebirds have a very interesting way of building their nests! Instead of building nests in trees like many birds, they make their homes inside termites' nests.
- Nest Location: They usually choose a termite nest in a tree. Sometimes, they might even use one on the ground.
- Building the Nest: The female lovebird digs a tunnel into the termite nest. This tunnel can be up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) long.
- Community Living: Red-headed lovebirds often build their nests close to other lovebirds. They form small colonies within the termite nests.
Can They Be Kept as Pets?
It can be quite tricky to breed red-headed lovebirds in captivity (when they are kept by people). This is because they need to dig tunnels to make their nests, just like they do in the wild. Also, the nest area needs to be kept warm, around 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Some people have found ways to help them nest. For example, they can be encouraged to dig into cork material to build their nests. However, these birds are known to be very nervous, which can make them challenging to care for.
Images for kids
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Male (foreground) and female red-headed lovebirds
 | Kyle Baker |
 | Joseph Yoakum |
 | Laura Wheeler Waring |
 | Henry Ossawa Tanner |
