How many different species of lovebird there are is often confusing as there is such a large variety of colors a lovebird can have. However, it is generally known that there are nine different species of lovebird. These include Abyssinian, Madagascar, Red-faced, Fischer, Nyasa, Black-Cheeked, Masked, Peachfaced and Black-Collared Lovebirds. Lovebirds are like small, stout versions of parrots that originated from the continent of Africa and surrounding islands. How there are so many different looking species of lovebird is mainly down to their being bred in captivity.

The nine species of lovebird are further divided into categories such as dimorphic and monomorphic; monomorphic being then divided into those with and without a periophtalmic ring otherwise known as an eye ring. Abyssinian, Madagascar and Red-faced Lovebirds are dimorphic, meaning that the males and females have different colorings and markings to each other. The other lovebird species are monomorphic, meaning that both male and female versions have the same markings. Those with a ring around their eyes include Nyasa, Masked, Black Cheeked and Fischer?s Lovebirds. The Peachfaced and Black-Collared lovebirds do not have periophtalmic rings.

An In-Depth Look at How Many Species of Lovebird There Are

Regardless of how similar the many species of lovebirds there are to each other, they all have very different origins and react differently to being in captivity. The Peach faced Lovebird is the most common kind in captivity as it is the most prolific breeder amongst the various species. They are widely available with peach colored faces, light green wings and bodies and black flight feathers. The Fischer?s lovebird is also quite common with a white eye ring around its eye. It has an orange head and chest, green body and blue rump. Masked lovebirds also have an obvious white eye ring as well as black heads, a green body, yellow chest feathers and a red beak. Despite knowing exactly how many species of lovebird there are and their natural appearance, they can have an even larger array of colors when bred in captivity.

Dimorphic lovebirds can look completely different. For example, female Madagascar lovebirds are completely green while the males can have an assortment of markings such as a green body and grey head. Some lovebirds such as these and Abyssinians are quite hard to breed in captivity. Red-faced lovebirds are said to be the first that were imported as pets although there are now few in captivity due to the difficulty in flock breeding. Some of the species of lovebirds can only be bred using one pair at a time as it can be difficult to recreate their natural breeding grounds. In the wild, lovebirds are generally green in color, the striking colors well known to lovebirds these days is almost entirely down to captive breeding.

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