Masked Lovebird

The Masked Lovebird, also called the Yellow-collared Lovebird, is a small parrot native to north-central Tanzania. It is easily recognized by its dark head contrasting sharply with a bright yellow collar and green body.

Appearance

The head, chin, and throat are dark blackish-brown, giving the bird its 'masked' appearance. A vivid yellow band wraps around the neck and upper breast, transitioning into bright green on the rest of the body. A bold white eye-ring surrounds each eye, and the bill is red. Sexes look alike.

General Impression

Masked Lovebirds are compact, energetic parrots usually encountered in small, active, vocal flocks.

Key Field Marks

• Dark blackish-brown head and throat
• Bright yellow collar across the neck and upper breast
• Bold white bare-skin eye-ring
• Red bill
• Green body with blue rump

Similar Species

• Fischer's Lovebird shows an olive-green head and orange-red face rather than a dark mask and yellow collar.
• Peach-faced Lovebird has no white eye-ring and a soft peach face rather than a sharply defined dark head.
• Hybrids with Fischer's Lovebird occur in captivity and show intermediate head color between dark brown and olive-orange.

The stark contrast between a near-black head, yellow collar, and green body is diagnostic for this species.

Range

Native to a small area of north-central Tanzania, largely around Arusha and Lake Manyara. Escaped or introduced populations occur locally in Kenya, including near Nairobi.

Habitat

Occupies dry acacia savanna, open woodland, and grassland, generally staying close to permanent water sources. Also uses cultivated areas for feeding.

Movements

Mostly sedentary, with local movements tied to rainfall and food or water availability.

Social Behavior

Highly social, usually seen in small flocks that forage, fly, and roost together; pairs maintain close contact within the flock.

Voice

Produces sharp, shrill chirps and screeching calls, frequently given in flight and when flocks are disturbed.

Feeding

Forages on the ground and in low shrubs for grass seeds, and also feeds on fruit and cultivated grain when available.

Nesting and Breeding

Nests in tree cavities, building a lined nest chamber; the female carries nesting material tucked into her rump feathers. Typical clutches contain four to six eggs, incubated for about 23 days, with chicks fledging roughly six weeks after hatching.