Masked Lovebird
DESCRIPTION 51/2 to 6 inches (14 to 15.5cm). Dark brown head, yellow collar and breast, yellow-orange throat and chest yellow, body green, blue rump and tail, which has black and red band near ends on outer feathers. Brown eyes, red bill, grey legs. Immatures duller with black on beak. Females •weigh more than males. Blue mutation also available.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION Northern Tanzania; introduced into Kenya.
HABITAT Nomadic. Grassy prairies with some trees. Nests in abandoned nests, breeds in 23/4 inch (7cm) space between tiles of roof and boarding underneath. Broods in colonies. Visits corn and millet fields.
DIET Cereal seeds, sunflower and safflower seeds, grain mixes, green food and fruit.
SPECIAL NEEDS Pairs. Cage with sleeping box and shallow bathing dishes. Free, supervised flight in house. Susceptible to frost, gnaws fresh branches for building.
CAGE LIFE Attractive and quiet. Distinctive coloration. Male scratches its head with feet before mating, female lines nests. Provide more boxes than pairs, 19% X 10 inches (50 X 25cm). Lays 3 to 6 eggs, incubation 21 to 23 days, fledging 40 to 46 days.