Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Scientific Name: Agapornis nigrigenis

Range: Southwest Zambia

Habitat: Tropical dry forest, tropical grassland where permanent supplies of surface water exist.

Diet: Wild: Fruits and seeds

Gestation: Incubation: about 25 days

Litter: Clutch size: 4-5 eggs

Description: This small parrot is mainly green with an orange patch on the breast, brown head and black face, with a white ring around the eye. They are around 14 cm long, with a very short tail.

Behavior: Much of the day is spent feeding on grass seeds near the ground. Drinking water is important since their food is low in moisture. If threatened, they fly silently into the nearest tree. They sleep with their heads tucked under their wing. They are very noisy, uttering a variety of loud shrieks and calls in flight.

Reproduction: It breeds in holes in mature mopane trees near roosting sites from January to May. Breeding pairs probably use the same nest site year after year.

Did You Know?

• This is Africa's most endangered parrot due to habitat loss and over collection for the pet trade.
• It spends the day eating grass seeds and gathering at watering holes.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the African Elephant Crossing at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.