Fischer’s Lovebird
Characteristics
Length: 10 cm (about 4 inches). Green. Golden-yellow neck. Cheeks and throat orange. The top of the head is olive-green; forehead a lovely tomato-red. Rump blue, the tail green with sky blue tips and an indistinct black band shortly before the end. The roots of the outermost feathers of the wings are brownish-red underneath. Eyes brown, beak red, legs slate-blue. The offspring look much like the parents except that their colors are somewhat duller and the base of the upper mandible has brown markings. There are many established mutations now available in the pet trade.
Social Behavior
Prefers to be kept in pairs or colonies. This species is very sociable in an aviary.
Diet
All parakeets and parrots, including lovebirds, need a large variety of fresh, healthy foods, whether on a pellet or a seed diet. Beneficial foods include dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, dandelions, and chard, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. Healthy table foods like cooked eggs, corn, beans, pasta, and rice can also be offered. Remove perishable foods after a few hours and at bedtime. Grit, gravel, and oyster shells should never be given. A seed-only diet will result in malnutrition. Eventually, a lovebird should become acclimated to a diet containing specially formulated pellets. An AVIAN vet can help with more information.
Cleaning
Tray liners should be replaced every day and the cage bottom, fittings and dishes regularly washed with hot water and soap. Once a month, disinfect the cage with diluted bleach and rinse thoroughly. Line the tray with black and white newspaper or paper towels. It is unsafe to use pine/cedar shavings, corn cob or walnut bedding.
Fertility
The hen lays 4-6 eggs which take about 3-3 1/2 weeks to hatch. After 35-37 days the young will fly from the nest. After another 10 days, the youngsters are totally independent, and it is then best to separate them from the parents.
Health
All parakeets and parrots, including lovebirds, should be examined by a qualified AVIAN vet at least once a year or ASAP if any bleeding, injuries, or other signs are noted. It can be hard to tell when a bird is ill, and by the time you notice a problem, the sickness is usually well-advanced. Delaying a visit with an AVIAN vet or using over-the-counter or human medicines may be fatal.
Warnings All parrakeets and parrots, including lovebirds, have very sensitive respiratory systems and should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, aerosols, harsh cleaning products, or other toxic fumes.
