lovebird (redirected from Agapornis)

lovebird

Lovebirds (Agapornis personata).

(credit: Toni Angermayer)

Any of nine species of small parrots (genus Agapornis, subfamily Psittacinae) of Africa and Madagascar. Popular as pets for their pretty colours and the seemingly affectionate closeness of pairs, lovebirds are 4–6 in. (10–16 cm) long, chunky, and short-tailed. Most have a red bill and a prominent eye ring. The two sexes look alike. Large flocks forage in woods and scrublands for seeds and may damage crops. Hardy and long-lived, they are combative toward other birds and have a loud, squawky voice. Though not easy to tame, they can be taught to perform tricks and mimic human speech to a limited extent.

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lovebird

1. any of several small African parrots of the genus Agapornis, often kept as cage birds

2. another name for budgerigar