Black-winged Lovebird

The black-winged lovebird, with a length of about 16–16.5 cm (6.3–6.5 inches), is the largest species of lovebird. It is sexually dimorphic, as are the red-headed lovebird and grey-headed lovebird. The dimorphism becomes apparent in juvenile birds after their first molt at about eight or nine months of age. Both the male and female black-winged lovebird are mostly green, and only the adult male black-winged lovebird has a red forehead and a ring of red feathers around its eyes. The tail is black tipped and feathers below the tail show a yellowish colour. The rump and feathers above the tail are light green. In the male, feathers under the wing are typically black, and in the female the feathers under the wing are typically greenish or brownish black. Both sexes have a red beak and gray feet.

The natural distribution for the black-winged lovebird is typically from southern Eritrea to southwestern Ethiopia, and they normally live in either high plains or mountainous regions.

Sunflower seeds, corn, apples and mission figs are typical of an Abyssinian lovebird diet.

In aviculture the black-winged lovebird has not become well established as a breeding bird, although it can tolerate cold weather. Breeding in aviculture is on a small scale, so it is an uncommon pet.