Description: green, forehead, crown, cheeks and lores brownish-black; back of head olive; breast and broad band to nape yellow; upper breast in many birds has some washed orange to red; sides of body, abdomen and under tail-coverts yellowish-green; rump pale blue; under wing coverts greyish-blue and green; outer feathers with orange-yellow banded edged with black above and below; broad periophthalmic ring white; bill red; iris brown; feet grey.

Size: 6 inches (14.5 cm).

In The Wild Native to northern and central Tanzania, from districts of Mbeya and Njombe to Lake Manyara and Meru Mountains.

Diet: In the wild they enjoy seeds, berries fruits and buds.

As domestic birds

Breeding: These lovebirds do not always breed readily in captivity. Main breeding period spring but can breed all year in heated aviaries. Provide plenty of fresh branches for nest building; bark will be peeled off and carried into the nesting box. They have clutches of 3-6 eggs; incubation takes 20 days; fledging period 32 days; if there is any deficiency in minerals the adults will pluck the young. Could breed several times a year, but it is advisable only to allow 2 breedings.

Diet: Quality seed mix of various millets, canary seed, some sunflower kernels and hemp; millet spray, plenty of green food, vegetables and fruit. Give egg-food when rearing and provide young with regular vitamin C and minerals.

Accommodation: Inside aviary 6 x 3 x 6 feet (2 x 1 x 2 metres) or spacious bird-room cage; in communal aviary at least three pairs and 16 sq. feet (1.5 sq. metres) per pair.