Lovebird

Social and affectionate, the name comes from the parrots' strong, monogamous ((form of relationship in which an idndividual has only one partner during their lifetime)) pair bonding and long periods which paired birds spend sitting together. Lovebirds live in small flocks and eat fruit, vegetables, grasses and seeds. They are 5 to 7 inches ((13 to 17 cm)) in lenght, up to 9 inches ((24 cm)) in wingspan with 4 inches ((9 cm)) for a single wing and 1.5 to 2 oz ((40 to 60 g)) in weight. They are among the smallest parrots, characterized by a stocky build, a short blunt tail, and a relatively large, sharp beak. Wildtype lovebirds are mostly green with a variety of colours on their upper body, depending on the species. Most lovebird species are native to the continent of Africa; the exception is the Madagascar ((grey-headed)) lovebird, which is native to the island of Madagascar. If a mate dies or gets separated from the flock, its companion exhibits erratic behavior that some have likened to depression. Birds kept as pets often don't like being alone and will exhibit similar behavior in captivity. Although they are a type of parrot, and they do have the ability to mimic human speech, Lovebirds are not among those species that most would consider talking birds. This is because they very rarely decide to speak, and if they do choose to mimic a sound, more often than not they repeat simple noises such as whistles or household sounds such as doorbells and microwaves. It is not known why some Lovebirds are more prone to mimicking speech than others, but it is widely believed that those who do learn to talk are taught from a very young age.