Keeping & Breeding Masked Lovebirds (Agapornis personatus) + Mutations Explained

Описание: The Masked Lovebird, also known as the Yellow-Collared Lovebird.
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The Masked Lovebird, also known as the Yellow-Collared Lovebird, is one of the most striking members of the lovebird family. In this video, we explore how to properly keep and breed Masked Lovebirds, understand their behavior, and take a detailed look at their beautiful colour mutations.

Scientific name:

Agapornis personatus

Short, clean, authoritative.

📄 LONG OPTIMIZED DESCRIPTION

The Masked Lovebird, scientifically known as Agapornis personatus, is a small, vibrant parrot species native to Tanzania. Also called the Yellow-Collared Lovebird or Black-Masked Lovebird, this species is part of the white eye-ring lovebird group and has become extremely popular in aviculture due to its striking coloration and wide range of mutations.

In this video we cover:

• Natural distribution and characteristics
• Housing and aviary requirements
• Breeding behavior and nesting
• Incubation and chick development
• Sexing challenges
• Colony breeding considerations
• Hybridization risks
• Full mutation breakdown

🌍 Natural Distribution

Masked Lovebirds originate from the Arusha region of Tanzania. Small feral populations have also been observed outside their native range due to escaped or released birds.

🦜 Description

This species measures approximately 14.5 cm in length. The body is primarily green, with:

• Black head
• Bright red beak
• Distinct white eye-ring
• Yellow breast and collar extending to the nape

Male and female birds appear visually identical.

🏠 Housing & Aviary Care

Masked Lovebirds are generally less aggressive than Peach-Faced Lovebirds, but they can still display territorial behavior.

Important considerations:

• Avoid mixing species to prevent hybridization
• Provide multiple feeding stations in mixed aviaries
• Natural branch perches of varying diameters
• Safe, non-toxic plant material only
• Nest boxes available year-round

Cherry wood, broom, kōwhai, and avocado are toxic and should never be used.

Breeding cages minimum size:
400mm x 400mm x 500mm

They may also be kept in colony setups under controlled conditions.

🥚 Breeding

Courtship behavior includes head bobbing and excited movements from the male.

Breeding facts:

• Eggs per clutch: 4–5
• Incubation: approx. 23 days
• Fledging: around 42 days after hatching

Nesting material such as willow branches and maize husks can be provided for shredding.

Sexing can be difficult, as same-sex pairs may bond strongly.

🎨 Mutations Explained

Masked Lovebirds have an impressive range of colour mutations developed through aviculture.

Recognized mutations include:

• Blue
• Cobalt
• Mauve
• Slate
• Diluted Slate
• Violet
• Lutino
• Albino
• Dilute

The Blue mutation was first observed in the 1920s and is the oldest known lovebird mutation.

The Lutino mutation removes the structural blue pigmentation, resulting in yellow body colouring with orange facial tones.

Albino is a combination of Blue and Lutino genetics, resulting in completely white plumage.

Dilute mutation lightens darker feather areas, especially wings and face.

Selective breeding has expanded these colour forms significantly in captivity.

📸 WIKIPEDIA PHOTO CREDITS (As Required)

All images sourced from Wikimedia Commons.
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported.

Photo Credits:

Agapornis personatus – Serengeti, Tanzania
By: Demetrius John Kessy
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Distribution map
By: Wikitoast
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Masked Lovebird – Auckland Zoo
By: Chris Gin
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Eggs – Collection
By: Klaus Rassinger und Gerhard Cammerer
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Cobalt, wild type and blue morphs
By: Manuelito2021consupadre
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Blue mutation
By: nora Engel
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Olive mutation
By: Steiner88
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

Pet in cage
By: Mike Fernwood
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

All images used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
Transparency Note: To help visualize specific bird species and behaviors, some images in this video were created using AI tools. All biological facts and information have been manually verified for accuracy.

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