Agapornis personatus

Agapornis personatus was discovered in 1877 in north-east Tanzania. Its territory lies only some sixty kilometres south east of the range of the Fischer’s lovebird, its closest relative. Natural barriers prevent the interbreeding of the two populations. Their habitat is lightly wooded savannah again, baobab trees providing the nest cavities. As in all lovebird species white eggs are laid every other day until the clutch is complete. The light green (or wild form) Masked lovebird has a deep black head. A yellow collar extends from the hind neck to the breast. Wings and back are green. So are the under parts although lighter in colour. The bend of the wing is yellow, the rump dark blue on a greenish base. The bill is deep coral red, the cere and the bare skin round the eye are white. The feet are grey and the claws are black.

© Dirk Van den Abeele