All About: Abyssinian Lovebirds
Species Name: Abyssinian Lovebird, Black-Winged Lovebird
Lifespan: 20-25 Years
Scientific Name: Agapornis taranta
Size: 6.5 inches
Nativity: Eritrea, Ethiopia. High Plains & Mountains
Weight: 48-58g
General
The Abyssinian Lovebird (Agapornis taranta) is the largest of the lovebird species. These birds average 6.5 inches in length and weigh 58g. A fitting name, these birds have a fully black underwing and green body plumage. A sexually dimorphic species, the males have vibrant red head feathers, while the females have a fully green head. Abyssinian or Black-Winged Lovebirds are uncommon in aviculture, and there is still limited knowledge of them in the breeding world. As companion pets, Abyssinian lovebirds are a playful addition to a flock.
Habitat & History
Abyssinian Lovebirds were first discovered around 1800, native to Southwestern Ethiopia and Southern Eritrea. These parrots flock in groups of around 20, and most still reside in the African wild, with some kept as companion pets throughout the rest of the world. These birds are considered to be the most resilient of the lovebird species, as their native temperatures can range from 18 degrees Celsius during the day to below freezing at night. They’re found in the high plains and mountainous regions, and can live in altitudes as high as 10,000 feet above sea level.
Physical Traits
Abyssinian lovebirds are sexually dimorphic, which means the males and females sport different plumage. These birds are all green with a black underwing and a black tail. The amount of black on the tail can vary. The feet are dark in colour and the beak is red. Females will have a fully green head, while males have a vibrant red head and eye ring. Adult plumage develops with the first molt, or within the first year. Juvenile colouring is that of adult female plumage.
The vibrance of the red colouring for males as well as the beak of both sexes is dependent on diet. Parrots with red plumage require vitamin A to show their true colour, and a vitamin deficiency is easily identified by a pale beak and plumage.
Due to their dietary needs and high metabolism, these birds can also develop blackening of the feathers due to an excess of oils or fats in the diet. If the green feathers begin to darken, consider reducing the fatty components of the bird’s daily diet, and monitor the bird’s weight to ensure they don’t lose too much weight. More about dietary needs in the Diet & Nutritional Requirements section.
Aviculture
Abyssinian Lovebirds are uncommon in aviculture, but few breeders know of their charming nature as companion pets. Most of what we know about these birds has been learned through experience and trial and error.
Behaviour & Personality
These birds are lively and playful, and they will bond strongly with their human, if hand-raised and socialized during adolescence. Abyssinian lovebirds enjoy spending time with their human, even if that’s just sitting on a shoulder while you work. These birds are very active and require both mental and physical exercise to keep them healthy.
One of their main communication calls is a low-pitched trill that resembles a growl. This is done for many reasons, but individual situations, as well as body language, must be observed to determine what your bird is trying to communicate. This growl may occur during cuddles, while playing, or as a sign of upset.
Abyssinian lovebirds have a mighty beak and must be trained from adolescence to be gentle when using it. Abyssinian lovebirds are not recommended for those with limited experience, as they can be quite assertive and need structure and confidence from their owner. Although these birds are not considered an aggressive species, they have the capability of causing injury to humans or other animals if provoked. Like any companion pet, a hierarchy must be established from adolescence to avoid any behavioural challenges after sexual maturity is reached.
Care
Like all birds, a minimum of 3 baths/showers are recommended per week, but some may bathe every day. These birds spend a large portion of the day preening and grooming themselves. Wing and nail groomings follow the same schedule as other parrots (once per season or 4x per year), and it is not common for Abyssinian lovebirds to require any beak trimming. Make sure to provide chewing materials to keep their beak from overgrowing and to keep them mentally stimulated.
Like other lovebird species, Abyssinians require daily interaction with their human to keep them happy. These birds like to follow a schedule and will adapt to yours pretty easily. It is important to make sure that these birds get 12 hours of sleep/uninterrupted darkness per night. With insufficient sleep, these birds may start showing aggression, feather plucking, or experience other stressors.
A misnomer, Lovebirds are not actually needed in pairs. It is a very common misconception that these birds have to have a cagemate, and it’s rooted in their name. The word Lovebird is derived from the Greek words “agape” (love) and “ornis” (bird), which leads to their scientific name, Agapornis. Due to their name, most people are not interested in having a lovebird as a pet because they think they’ll have to invest in two birds rather than one. Parrots are known to form strong bonds with their mate, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t form that bond with a human. We recommend only having a single lovebird, as they will bond with you or anyone in your household and see you as a part of their flock. Once this bond is established, your bird will be equally as happy with you as they would be with another bird. The only difference whether you want to interact with your bird, or prefer to just admire them from afar. Adding a second bird in a cage will damage the bond you create with the bird, as they will now have a roommate to spend time with when you’re not around. They will lose the desire to be playful and affectionate with you because they already do that with the other bird. If you don’t have the lifestyle or time to take your bird out of the cage and socialize with it, we recommend getting two so that they still get that socialization inside the cage. But if you want a strong bond with your bird, we do not recommend introducing a second bird into the flock. That being said, it is more than fine to have two (or more) lovebirds if they each have their own cage. This will allow you to spend time individually with both so that they retain that connection with you.
We do not recommend housing a different species with an Abyssinian lovebird. This is a general rule for every parrot species, but with lovebirds it is especially important to keep species separated, as they may reproduce and create “hybrid” lovebird species. This is completely unethical. Not only are lovebirds different species from each other (they are not sub-species, they have different DNA), they are also an incredibly dominant species and can become very aggressive towards other birds, especially during breeding seasons. Housing your Abyssinian lovebird with a Peach-Faced Lovebird (or any other species of lovebird) can be extremely dangerous. And although it’s a terrible reality, these birds will kill each other if they feel threatened or dominant. The desire to save on cage space or “give your bird a friend” is NEVER worth the life of one or both of those birds. It is the owner’s responsibility to practice safe and ethical pet ownership.
Diet & Nutritional Requirements
Like many other African parrot species, Abyssinian lovebirds require a high-fat diet to accommodate their high metabolism and active lifestyle. In the wild, they consume fatty nuts and seeds, and most formulated diets don’t accommodate this, as the other, more commonly kept species in aviculture can develop obesity from high-fat foods. Sunflower seeds, mission figs, grass seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects are the major components of the Abyssinian lovebird’s wild diet.
One of the most accessible diet options to incorporate into this lovebird’s daily diet is black oil sunflower seeds. These seeds are very fatty and can be found in many pet food stores. We offer these alongside a formulated pellet (we use Tropican Lifetime Formula) and give fresh fruits and veggie mixes at least twice a week. Pellet and fresh water should be offered freely at all times, seeds and enrichment can be freely fed as long as your bird is not overweight. Fresh foods should only be accessible for a few hours, as they will spoil the longer they are left out.
Abyssinian lovebirds love to use their beaks, and they enjoy cracking open nuts and foraging for treats. Pistachios, cashews, almonds, walnuts, and other bird-safe nuts (make sure they’re unsalted) are an excellent source of nutrients for these birds and can be used for trick training as well.
About once a month, you can offer them cooked eggs. This is an excellent source of protein and calcium, but it is not easily digestible and must be given sparingly to avoid digestive complications.
During hand feeding, almond butter should be incorporated into the formula to add fat and aid in juvenile development. We source our almond butter from Bulk Barn, as it is all natural and has no preservatives or added ingredients.
As mentioned above, birds with red feathers require additional vitamin A for vibrant colouring. Colour is not the only reason for adding vitamin A, but it is the first sign you’ll notice when they become deficient. Their beak will pale significantly, and the males will have a dull head colour, which is undesirable when attracting a mate for breeding. For this reason, vitamins should be increased and monitored closely during the breeding season, especially if the pair is reluctant to start breeding. Aside from feather issues, vitamin deficiencies can cause a wide range of complications for birds and humans alike. Vitamin A is responsible for immune function, vision, and cell growth. Respiratory, digestive, ocular, and skin issues can all occur due to a vitamin A deficiency. Red and orange fruits and veggies like sweet potato, peppers, and carrots, as well as dark, leafy greens like broccoli and spinach, are all excellent sources of vitamin A. It is especially helpful to feed any native fruits and veggies, but is not a necessity when providing the needed vitamins. Store-bought works just as well and is readily accessible.
Vitamin Crash Course:
Vitamin A/Beta-Carotene: Immune function, vision, cell growth, skin and feather health.
Carrots, sweet potato, peppers, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, squash,
Vitamin D: Calcium and phosphorus absorption, which promotes skin and feather health.
Egg yolk, kale, sunlight
Vitamin E: Provides antioxidants, protects cells from damage.
Nuts (almonds), sunflower seeds, safflower, spinach, broccoli, mango
Vitamin K: Blood clotting and bone metabolism.
Leafy greens, spinach, arugula, blueberries, figs
Vitamin C: Immune function and tissue repair.
Citrus fruits, berries, peppers, brussel sprouts, kiwi, mango, papaya, cantaloupe
Daily Diet Crash Course:
Pellet: Pellet is baked with added vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements to help mimic that of a wild diet. Pellet should be the primary food source for your bird, and should be freely fed. *We recommend Tropican, Zupreem, Oven Fresh Bites, and Versele-Laga, among other reputable brands
Seed: Seeds are very fatty and can cause weight gain or obesity if given as the daily diet. Seed mixes do not contain the necessary vitamins and nutrients found in the wild, and should be supplemented if seed is used as the primary food source to avoid vitamin deficiency and health complications. *We recommend Versele-Laga, Hagen/Hari, Lafeber’s, and Conestogo Bird Seed, among other reputable brands
Water: Water should be filtered, Distilled, well water and RO are also suitable. Tap water has high amounts of chlorine and cannot be filtered properly in birds, and can lower life expectancy if given long-term. Easiest option: Brita filter or bottled spring water. Many birds like to make “soup” by dunking their pellet into the water to soften it before eating it. Make sure they have fresh water daily, especially if they like to make a mess. We recommend using a stainless steel or ceramic bowl for water, as these materials collect less bacteria than plastic bowls. Thoroughly wash the dish before replenishing the water to keep bacterial health issues from developing.
Enrichment: Enrichment mixes vary by brand, but offer a mix of different ingredients for your bird to try. A typical enrichment diet will include pellet, seeds, nuts, dried fruits or veggies, and grains. Many birds enjoy foraging through the mix to find their preferred ingredients, which is an easy way to stimulate their brains. Enrichment mixes can be offered a few times per week, but should not be overfed, as they can lead to unwanted weight gain. *We recommend Tropimix, Versele-Laga/Goldenfeast, and Zupreem, among other reputable brands.
Treats: Treats are an excellent tool used for trick training, bonding, and positive reinforcement. Baked treats and millet are common, but simple things like dried fruit or cooked pasta (cooled down) can also be used. All birds are different, so you’ll have to learn what your bird likes and doesn’t like. *We recommend NutriBerries, millet, birdie bread, and all-natural dried fruits, among other reputable treat brands.
Supplements: Some species have specialized dietary needs, and Abyssinian lovebirds are one of these species. Powder supplements like probiotics can be sprinkled onto fresh fruits and veggies or other food to add essential vitamins and minerals to your bird’s diet. Water-solluble supplements are also easily accessible, but are not as beneficial as they dilute in the water and may not be ingested as much as powdered options. *We recommend Morning Bird, Hari, RopaVet, and Equa Holistics, among other reputable brands.
Eggfood: Eggfood is essential for breeding bird or birds laying eggs. Eggfood help replenish calcium that gets depleted when developing and laying eggs. One of the most common causes for egg-binding is due to low calcium, so eggfood should be offered freely for birds laying eggs or feeding chicks. Eggfood is also offered as a treat for birds with a high metabolism, and can be given a few times per week as long as the bird is not gaining unwanted weight. *We recommend Hagen, Witte Molen, CeDe, and NutriBird, among other reputable brands.
Cuttlebone: This is another source of calcium for birds, and won’t cause the weight gain that may occur when feeding eggfood. Cuttlebone can be offered freely, and the bird will chew on it at their convenience. This is a great source of calcium and will help maintain the beak of the birds. Replace when the old one is completely chewed or contaminated (they might poop on it depending on where it is mounted in the cage). If you don’t have a cuttlebone for your bird, that’s okay, as long as they are still getting calcium from another part of their diet.
Housing
Abyssinian Lovebirds have similar cage requirements as other lovebird species. Cage dimensions should be at least 18x18in, but bigger is better if the bird will be spending the majority of its time inside the cage. Your bird should be able to fully extend its wings without touching either ends of the cage, this ensures that they have enough space to flap their wings safely. Lovebirds like to chew, so the bars of the cage must be sturdy enough for them. 18-13 gauge wire with a ⅜” wire spacing is recommended for all lovebird species. Larger wire spacing can become dangerous if they get their head or body stuck between the bars, or escape entirely.
We recommend square/rectangular cages over round ones. One side of the cage should be up against a wall so that they don’t have to constantly serveil all 4 sides for “predators”. This also allows them to fully relax while they sleep, because they know that nothing is behind them.
Do not use hanging cages. These tend to be round and much too small for any parrot to comfortably live in. They also sway and may stress your bird due to the lack of stability.
The cage should have a tray and a grill. You can use cage liners, paper towel, or newspaper in the tray, or paper bedding if you prefer. Regardless of what you are lining the tray with, the grill should be used on top to keep your bird from foraging through the bottom, as they may eat poop, scraps, or begin to nest underneath it. If your cage doesn’t have a tray, you’ll need to clean the tray and replace the lining more frequently. The tray liner should be replaced daily and the tray itself wiped down if it’s dirty. The grill should be cleaned weekly with a bird-safe disinfectant. The cage itself should be disinfected monthly.
Inside the cage, there needs to be perches of different material and diameter, toys of different materials, and other things to keep your bird happy during the day. For perches, there should be rope perches, wood perches, a cement perch for nail filing, and a swing or boing. It is important that the perches are all slightly different sizes, as it helps improve grip strength. Perches should be cleaned at the same frequency as the cage grill, and should be rotated or rearranged every few weeks to keep the bird interested in exploring the cage.
Toys will vary based on what your bird prefers, but it is important to have at least one toy of each material so that your bird has a variety to choose from. Common toys are wood chews, ladders, bells, and plastic toys. Always make sure that the toys are bird safe - some “bird toys” are not made by bird people and can be dangerous. *We recommend Zoo-Max, Hagen/Hari/Living World, Billy Bird Toys, and other reputable Brands.
There are also certain cage components that we advise against using. One of those things is mirrors. The reason birds like mirrors is because they see a beautiful bird in it and want to mate with them. This results in hormonal aggression and they will often regurgitate onto the mirror to try and feed the bird looking back at them. They also become very territorial over the cage because they think it’s their nest. The second component we do not recommend adding to your bird’s cage is a snuggle hut or a cozy corner. Many people think that they need an enclosed space to sleep in, but this is not true. Birds in the wild sleep on a branch, the only time they use an enclosed space is for breeding. Giving your bird a snuggle hut will increase hormonal behaviours and aggression. Another reason we advise against these is because the fabric can be deadly to the bird if ingested or if there are any loose threads. There are a few safe alternatives that can be used if you still want your bird to have a hut of some kind, but it is important to remember that the bird does not need this nor do they notice when it’s not there. *We recommend Billy Bird Toys Sleep Tubes & Cozys.
Our information on these parrots is still limited, and we learn something new about them every day. If you have anything about Abyssinian Lovebirds to add, drop a comment!