Lovebirds

We're still working on cleaning up, but the storms keep rippling in. After a while there will be no more roofing to blow into the yard! I haven't have time or energy left over to post, but I wanted to share this:

Every year about this time we get a flock of these wild parrot type birds coming around to feed at our feeders. I think they're African Lovebirds, if what I read on the net is right. They just showed up one year after I started putting out seed for the other birds, and they come back every year.

I don't know where they go when they leave us.  I didn't know they were migratory, but they're not in their natural home so ... maybe they go looking for it. 

They seem to be doing fine although their number varies every year. I hate the thought that some kid with a BB gun is getting some of them, or that they may be getting captured by mercinaries or eaten by hawks or whathaveyou. It's a harsh world out there. I know they're breeding because there was one that was bright yellow, and the next year we had a few that were yellow and green mottled. This year there were only four, but one year we counted 15 in our olive tree at one time. We went through a lot of birdseed that year.

I'm going to try to get better pictures, these were taken through a window blind.  I have video of the 15 at once, if I can get a screen grab of that I'll post it.

Update: I and the Bird is finally up!!  Check out all the birds.  I'm so impressed.  It's all done in clickable images.

Comments

[Nancy Bond]

Oh, what amazing birds! Where do you live, Christine? (What state, I mean.) What a treat to have them visit your yard!

I hope your cleanup is going well and that all other such storms steer well clear of you.

[Christine]

I'm in Arizona. I assume during the winter these birds go farther south, Mexico maybe, but I don't really know. I can't find anything on the net about migration patterns of a bird like this. They're probably pets that got loose, and are creating a whole new lifestyle. It is cool to have them around.

[Lyvvie]

Wow, these little critters just hang out in your garden? how cool is that?!

Very jealous, it sounds like fun. An olive tree in the garden? That sounds great too...(looks at garden) We could do that.

[Christine]

Yeah, they're so cool, I spend a lot of time lately watching for them and trying to count them. This morning Mr. Yellow bird showed up with Son of Yellow Bird and a couple other family members. I was so happy to see him again! At least I assume it's the same bird from a few years ago. I have some pictures to post. I'll try to get to that tomorrow...

[dcks guantero]

april 5, 2006
hi! i came across ur write-up and looking for lovebirds (african) info and this that came out. It surprise me coz' in the Philippines (Bulacan) its my hobby of breeding them. So far, I have about twenty mutations in my aviary, from mauve,sea green, cinnamon to peachedface and orange face lutino, albino and isabel. Their country of origin is from Madagascar and other part of African.
Well, nice to read ur column see u again.
dcks.

[Bronwyn Anderson]

Hi!
I live in Phoenix. Last year I would put my lovebirds outside in their cage to enjoy the weather. One day I freaked out because it appeared my two had gotten out and were ontop of their cage. It took a second to realize that it was two different lovebirds that had come to talk with mine. (probably trying to tell them to get free from their cage)Anyways, every day after that I noticed more and more were coming. I put out seed and other treats for them. As posted earlier it stated they might migrate south for winter, I am assuming thats where they went. What I am curious to know is when do they come back. I have missed their visits and am looking foward to seeing them again! If anyone can say approx. time they start to see them, I would like to know!
Thanks, Bronwyn

[Andrea]

These are love birds they are native to Africa although have been growing steadily in number in the Arizona area due to accidental releases, or so I have read...

http://mirror-pole.com/collpage/pf_loveb/pfl_1.htm

I live in Canada and have a pet love bird. It seems funny to see them wild!