Black-collared lovebird agapornis swindernianus

At present very little is known about this species as it is the only one not kept in captivity, they are rearly seen in the wild because of their location and its belived their normal habitat of living in the upper canopy of the trees, we hope to update with more information as it is aquired, the following article was taken from an old edition of a society magazine

Field notes on the Black-colllared Lovebird agapornis swinderiana
in Western Uganda

by Dr. Jim Collins

EDITOR'S NOTE
The following article has never previously been published. Search your library of books on parrotlike birds and you will find very little on this species, and most of that you do find will be very old and often second-hand material. We are extremely fortunate to be able to add to the published scientific knowledge on the species, and are deeply grateful to Dr. Collins for providing this material.

The sub-species Agapornis swinderiana emini of the Black-collared Lovebird is found only in central and eastern regions of Zaire and the most western areas of Uganda. I undertook ten weeks of study in the western region of Uganda, bordering Zaire, basing myself in the town of Kabarole, which itself lies between Lake Edward and Lake Albert (the Zaire/Uganda border runs through both lakes). From this base town I ventured north, south and west {almost to the border itself) into areas that are largely unspoilt rainforest, albeit with ever increasing signs of agricultural encroachment at its periphery. Towards the Zaire border the terrain becomes distinctly more rugged with mountains, some very high, both sides of the border. My studies of the avian fauna of this region centred around the rainforests and cultivated lands at lower altitudes, with most work being done at less than 4,200 feet. The Black-collared Lovebird featured high on my agenda in terms of which species to particularly look out for.
As a species I got the impression that they were probably not unduly rare in Western Uganda, but are very easily overlooked since their colouration blends into the rainforest habitat remarkably well and flights tend to occur above the canopy level. This in turn means that the numbers of sighting are probably not a true reflection of their population status.
The birds were actually observed on a total of fifteen occasions and heard but not seen a further nine times (all these from small groups almost certainly flying just above the canopy level, since the call heard was a louder more shrill one that when the birds were observable, was only witnessed during flight). The soft, twittering voice is heard on almost every occasion that the birds were seen in trees.
Of the fifteen sighting all but two occurred with the birds located in the rainforest trees (eight) or flying above the canopy (five). On one occasion the birds were witnessed flying over semi-cuttivatcd land back towards the rainforest and on the remaining occasion were seen on degraded land that was reverting to dense undergrowth.
Of the six occasions that birds in flight were observed only that over semi-cultivated land was easily observable and at a relatively low level (approximately twelve feet) above the ground). Flight was observed to be fast and direct, with calling throughout, the flight. Black-collared appear to fly from one source of food to another within the rainforest not by flying at tree level, but rather above the trees. This presumably gives them a better chance to locate rich pickings both by watching out for other birds feeding and making better use of light and wider visibility than can be used in amongst the rainforest trees themselves. Group size in flight varied from two to nine, with an average of approximately six.
On the one occasion when birds were seen which were neither in flight nor among the rainforest trees, a group of six birds were observed for 55 minute's feeding among shrubs that had invaded a plot of formerly cultivated land abutting the rainforest proper. The feeding height of the birds above ground during this period varied from four to fourteen feet. The birds were very acrobatic in their movements, more tit-like than parrot-like, not infrequently hanging practically upside down to facilitate access to ripe berries. The items being ingested were small white berries and somewhat larger purple-black ones. It appeared that the soft pulp of these fruits was being discarded and only the internal seeds (in both cases about the size of white millet which I ascertained after the birds had flown off) were actually being consumed.
On no less than twenty-one occasions during this period of observation birds would go to a small group of large ferns, whose internal fronds had trapped considerable pools of water, and there proceed to bathe vigourously for between twenty seconds and one minute twelve seconds. Preening was however rather cursory and the birds were soon back feeding. It appeared to me that the birds were merely cleaning themselves of the very sticky pulp of these fruits, they presumably bathe and preen properly at more convenient times. This observational bout, although not typical, allowed more detailed analysis than did the more exacting environment of the rainforest itself.
Of the eight occasions that Black-collareds were located amongst rainforest trees all but once the birds were in excess of thirty feet above floor level (sometimes considerably in excess). The exception was a sighting lasting three minutes when the birds were roosting quietly at a height of approximately fifteen feet. On one other occasion the birds appeared to be in a resting phase, whilst on three occasions although actively moving amongst the branches, no feeding was observed. On a further three occasions feeding was observed. Twice on fruiting figs and once on both figs and a reddish-brown fruit, approximately two inches in diameter. The feeding seemed to invariably involve stripping the seeds from amongst the fruit itself; on no occasion was the pulp itself consumed as far as I could see. On several occasions individuals appeared to pick up items from tree branches and leaves. I would hazard a guess that they were taking insects or other forms of invertebrates, but of this I cannot be sure due to the distances involved between observed and observer. Group size in these eights periods of observation varied from three to fourteen, with a mean of almost seven. Intra-specific aggression, in the form of anti-social biting and/or chasing, was witness a total of three times. No overt sexual behavior was witnessed, nor were any nesting sites (surmised to be holes in trees or in arborial termitaria as in the Red-faced Lovebird (A.pullaria)) ever located. Bathing, invariably in pools of water in trees or amongst dew laden leaves, was seen on five occasions in total excluding the study period on overgrown cultivated land.

Prior to writing these brief field notes I had been contacted by the Rare Species Officer of the Lovebird (1990) Society (in 1994) in connection with, amongst other things, the question of why no photographs seem to exist of this species and if there was any possibility of obtaining and establishing this species in the future. I outline below the points I made to Mr Bradley since these may be of interest to readers.
The bird is very elusive indeed, tending to spend a much greater proportion of its time high in canopy trees than does any other Agapornis species. The distance between observer and bird is therefore usually rather large, which, combined with the foliage factor, (the birds are most frequently pure rainforest birds, unlike any other Lovebird) and the predominantly green plumage make observation problematical and neck-breaking !!! Furthermore, the birds frequently move 100 - 200 metres to another fruit bearing tree and in the forest getting ones bearings across even this kind of distance can be difficult for a mere human! Such factors explain the lack of study of this bird and the consequent lack of photographs. Any photo of quality that was obtained would undoubtedly be used in all books on parrot-like birds as well as photographic field guides. The very inhospitable environment inhabited by these birds (high temperatures, invariably oppressive humidity and insect and disease ridden) has hardly been an inducement for would-be field-workers and/or photographers. Likewise, many (almost all) of the countries were the Black-collared is resident have unsavoury regimes in power and/or have severe problems in respect of banditry, rebellion and civil war. Thus, all told, you can see that the problems to be overcome outweigh the possible benefits for all but the most fanatical (mad?) - I'm not sure which category I fall into, probably both!!
My belief is that the most probable way of securing a decent photograph of a Black-collared would be to mist net in rainforest areas where fig species predominate, the major problems here being that: a) the nets would have to be set at canopy height (very difficult, though not impossible), and b) the nets would need to have a wide coverage because of the typically small groupings of Black-collareds (again adding to the .complexity of the operation and even more so to its expense in terms of netting costs and native labour).
Finally study and photography is impeded by the fact that most, and probably all, Black-collared populations are migratory to make full use of a transient and unevenly spaced food resource. I would add here that when I use the term "migratory" I would be thinking along the lines of say less than 150 -200 kms, but that is one hell of a long way in the depths of a rainforest area.
It is my firm contention that western aviculturists have the expertise to now establish this species in captivity, albeit in an effort that would require firm determination, considerable outlay of capital and the backing or at least the acquiescence of the licensing authorities. In the case of the UK this would obviously be the Department of the Environment making the decision based on the recommendations emanating from the Wildlife Trade Section of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee headed by Dr. David H.W. Morgan. I have had many dealings with Dr. Morgan during negotiations on such matters as CITES and the impending directive on Trade and Possession of Wildlife, and feel sure that I could persuade him to recommend importation if this ever became feasible. The one problem would be in persuading the JNCC/D of E to accept the almost inevitable loss of a considerable percentage of the importation as a warranted sacrifice in order to establish the survivors as a captive gene pool. This issue is obviously an emotive one and cannot be taken lightly; personally I believe that the ends here justify the means, but I'm sure some equally committed aviculturists might disagree. Never the less, it must be said that it is somewhat incongruous that this species has yet to be established when other species long-considered difficult or impossible have become so established in the past decade or two. I would practically bet my life on the fact that the mortality figures from an importation would reach at least 50 to 60% and quite possibly higher (though the local governments in Africa would not bat an eyelid over this). All the evidence shows the Black-collared to be generally unreceptive to new dietary items, even to the extent of starving to death rather than partaking of alternative foods to figs. Nowadays this problem can certainly be alleviated by the use of tinned figs (which I use every day for many of my birds) along with fresh figs, which although now usually available throughout the year are exorbitantly expensive during a greater part of the year. Those Black-collareds living in Uganda certainly raid millet crops during the peak harvest season (independently told me without any prompting by several local farmers and peasants). There is no good reason to believe that populations elsewhere do not also exhibit this tendency. Thus, with the use of figs, aviculturists could undertake broad-ranging food trials in order to establish this species on a more balanced and cheaper captive diet. The judicious use of pro-biotics, additives and feeding stimulants would, I believe, be of major significance. Resort to nutritionally balanced, force fed liquidised food in the event of refusal to feed might well help in keeping the mortality figures to acceptable levels.