Nyasa Lovebirds

[Anna]

Also known as Lilian's Lovebirds (Agapornis lilianae). They look similar to the Fischer's. I was wondering what thier status is in the hobby? Has anyone heard of them? Are they common or rare? I ask because I have not seen them around before ever and have heard that they are rare. I have now found a breeder that breeds the 100% undiluted originals and if they are indeed rare I am thinking of getting in to breeding them. This would be the sort of situation where this hobby can do it's part for the various species by ensuring they are around.

Right now I am torn between breeding these or the Sun Conures and am in the research phase since I am still in the process of setting up my IRNs to breed and I only have enough money for one set-up at a time. They are a very pretty and interesting little creature in thier own right and I would love to breed them just for that reason it would just make me extra happy if I could be a help too. Knowing me I will probably end up breeding the lovebirds and the conures on top of the IRN's but for now Im pretending that I'm only allowing myself one more breeding pair. Lol.

 

[IolaniAviary]

Nyasa Lovebirds aren't typically considered their own sub species on most breeding websites. They are part of a group called the eye-ring Lovebirds. In this group are Nyasa, Fischers, Masked and Black Cheek. I don't believe birdbreeders even has a separate group for them.

 

[Anna]

Yeah, they are all under that heading in all the books. But they are a variation that doesn't exactly count as a mutation because there are the naturally occuring ones that kinda do form a section of thier own same as the masked and the fischer's. I was just wondering if they were common because it's kinda nice to have the pure original stock around. I'm thinking I'm hopeless and I will end up breeding both them and the Sunnies anyway since I gotta have something to keep me happy and occupied in this life. Besides, I hear they are hard to breed and I need a challenge.

 

[IolaniAviary]

A mutation is simply a color difference in a species, the Nyasa are an actual sub-species that comes in many different mutations. I would say it would be very difficult to find any sort of pure stock. You can tell if they're pure by the tail feather, you can read more here. Nyasa Lovebird - Brisbane Lovebirds