Abstract
The Abyssinian lovebird (Agapornis
taranta) is described by Forshaw
in Parrots of the World as the blackwinged
lovebird. A more complete
description of this species of lovebird
is found in Rosemary Low's Parrots
- Their Care and Breeding. An
attractive feature of the Abyssinian is
its radiant-like green coloration.
E.N.T. Vane in the book, Guide to
Lovebirds and Parrotlets, claims that
there are two sub-species of A.
taranta, but the differences he lists
are so slight they appear to be insignificant.
William C. Dilger in his The
Comparative Ethnology of the
African Parrot Genus Agapornis,
(from the Laboratory of Ornithology,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1960)
produced a most informative study of
the behavioral patterns of all lovebirds
including the Abyssinian.
Rosemary Low reported she has seen
two cases of abnormally colored
Abyssinian lovebirds.
A native of Ethiopia, Abyssinian
lovebirds inhabit the dry, highland
forests where freezing temperatures
at night are common. They do, however,
descend to the lower altitudes.
In the wild they roost in the hollows
of trees and feed on seeds, berries and
fruits. They are not nest builders.
Considering that this species of
lovebird is native to high altitudes
where it can drop to below freezing at
night, it would be interesting to try to
acclimate and keep these birds out of
doors the year around in our more
temperate climates.