Agapornis swindernianus
The enigmatic Black-collared Lovebird (Agapornis swindernianus) is a captivating, albeit elusive, member of the parrot family, Psittaculidae. Measuring approximately 13 cm (5 inches) in length and weighing around 35-45 grams, this small lovebird is predominantly emerald green, elegantly accented by a distinctive black collar encircling its neck, giving it its common name. Some subspecies also exhibit a vibrant blue rump, which can be a key field mark for identification in the field. Taxonomic...
Found exclusively in the dense canopy of lowland to mid-elevation tropical rainforests, particularly favoring mature primary and secondary growth with abundant fig trees.
Primarily frugivorous, with a critical dietary dependence on the seeds and pulp of wild figs (Ficus species), supplemented by other small fruits and occasionally insects.
Black-collared Lovebirds are diurnal, active throughout the day foraging and socializing, typically roosting communally in tree cavities or dense foliage at night. Their foraging strategy is highly specialized, primarily involving agile movements through the upper canopy to pluck ripe wild figs, ...
The Black-collared Lovebird is endemic to the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa, exhibiting a highly disjunct distribution across its range. The nominate subspecies, *Agapornis swindernianus swindernianus*, is found in isolated pockets of evergreen forest from Liberia east to Ivory ...
Least Concern
- The Black-collared Lovebird is considered one of the rarest and most poorly studied parrots in the world due to its remote rainforest habitat and elusive nature. - Its survival is intricately linked to specific wild fig species; these birds are rarely found far from fruiting fig trees. - Unlike...