# Rosy-Faced Lovebird (*agapornis roseicollis*) The Rosy-Faced Lovebird is a small, highly social parrot native to the arid regions of southwestern Africa. Famous for its vibrant coloration and affectionate pair-bonding behavior, this energetic bird is beloved by both wild birdwatchers and aviculturists worldwide. They are highly gregarious, often gathering in noisy flocks near water sources in their native dry woodland and semi-desert habitats. In their native range, they are known for their resourcefulness, nesting in rock crevices, communal nests built by other birds, or even human structures. Despite their small size, they possess a bold personality and a loud, metallic shriek. They have also established successful feral populations in urban areas outside of Africa, notably in Phoenix, Arizona, where they have adapted incredibly well to desert-scaped suburbs. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Found in dry, open country, semi-deserts, and wooded savannas, typically staying close to reliable water sources. ![Rosy-Faced Lovebird](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/175092775/medium.jpeg) Photo: Jared Shorma, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/175092775) ## Appearance This compact, short-tailed parrot is easily identified by its bright green body plumage, which contrasts beautifully with a peach-pink face and throat, giving them their common name. They feature a prominent blue rump, a horn-colored bill, and grey feet. Measuring around 15 cm in length, they have a stocky build with a relatively large head, and their wingspan ranges between 20 to 24 cm. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Psittaciformes - **Family:** Psittaculidae - **Genus:** Agapornis ## Interesting facts - An introduced population has thrived in the hot desert of Phoenix, Arizona, since the 1980s, nesting in saguaro cacti and backyard birdhouses. - Females carry nesting materials by tucking strips of leaves, bark, or paper into their rump feathers, looking like they have a colorful tail extension. - They get their name 'lovebird' from the intense, lifelong monogamous bonds they form with their mates, often spending hours preening each other. ## Special abilities - **Nesting Material Transport:** Females strip bark or leaves and tuck them into their rump feathers to carry them back to the nest site. - **Arid Climate Survival:** They are highly adapted to dry environments, obtaining much of their moisture from seeds and visiting waterholes daily. - **Social Coordination:** They communicate using rapid, high-pitched contact calls that keep the flock tightly coordinated during flight. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15+ cm - **Wingspan:** 20+ cm - **Weight:** 0.046+ kg - **Lifespan:** 10+ years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4+ - **Incubation:** 21+ days ## Diet & Feeding Feeds primarily on seeds, grains, and buds, often foraging on the ground or in low bushes. - **Primary Foods:** Acacia seeds, Sunflower seeds, Millet, Ficus fruits, Flower buds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging21 23 Days. Fits Perfectly. Ensure The Json Is Completely Parseable With No Escape Issues In Double Quotes. Everything Looks Solid. ## Ecological connections - **Competitor:** Sociable Weaver (*Philetairus socius*) — Frequently uses the nesting chambers of the massive colonial structures built by this bird in the wild. - **Eaten by:** [Lanner Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lanner-falcon) (*Falco biarmicus*) — Preys on adult and juvenile lovebirds in their native African range. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rosy-Faced Lovebird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Rosy-Faced Lovebird? 15+ cm ### What is Rosy-Faced Lovebird's wingspan? 20+ cm ### How much does Rosy-Faced Lovebird weigh? 0.046+ kg ### How long does Rosy-Faced Lovebird live? 10+ years ### How fast can Rosy-Faced Lovebird move? 40 km/h ### What does Rosy-Faced Lovebird eat? Feeds primarily on seeds, grains, and buds, often foraging on the ground or in low bushes. ### Where is Rosy-Faced Lovebird usually found? Found in dry, open country, semi-deserts, and wooded savannas, typically staying close to reliable water sources. ## Where to spot - [Mesa Grande](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesa-grande) — Arizona, US · Historic Site - [Phoenix Indian School](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/phoenix-indian-school) — Arizona, US · Campus - [Phoenix Union High School](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/phoenix-union-high-school) — Arizona, US · Campus [View all places to see Rosy-Faced Lovebird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rosy-faced-lovebird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Rosy-Faced Lovebird: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rosy-faced-lovebird)