Black-Cheeked Adults

We no Longer Breed Black-Cheeked Lovebirds

     Black-Cheeked lovebirds are one of two lovebirds that are listed on "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species"

     Black-Cheeked have no common mutations like Peachfaced and other lovebirds.  Mutations that you generally see in the market are hybrids of Black-Cheeked and Masked lovebirds.  This should never be practiced.  We at Flying Gems do not believe in Hybrids.  If we find that there is proven mutations of the Black-Cheeked then we will obtain them, but we will not buy hybrids or breed our black cheeks to hybrids or masked lovebirds.
     In our search for a mate for Coal, we found a pair looking for a new home. They flew in from Seattle, WA.  After a very long flight with a lay over and a delay, they made it safely to our aviary. We bought the pair in June 04' and hope to begin breeding them in late Summer/ Early Fall.  We lost the Hen to egg binding in December 04'.
     In August of 04' we flew in 6 mutation Black-Cheeked Lovebirds.  They are not hybrids.
     After years of research and searching we found true Black-Cheeked Mutations.  We have found that there is 4 colors:  Blue, Cobalt, Mauve and Violet.  We are lucky enough to find and purchase 3 out of the 4 colors.  They are originally from Holland and have been imported to America by a breeder that deals with rare mutations.  While in his care some of the original imports bred and we were able to obtain 2 of their offspring.
     In further researching Black-Cheeked Mutations I have found several mutations mentioned: light green, dark green, olive green, blue, cobalt, mauve, fallow, pastel, violet, spangle/ pied and lutino.  I have not seen many pictures of mutations and most are found outside of the United States.  There is some doubt whether they are true mutations and not hybrids.

Here are links to the pictures of the different mutations.

• Agapornis Acres II, Inc.
  • Blue
  • Cobalt
  • Pied
• Chris' Zoo
  • Blue
• Agapornis
  • Olive
• Frans Mulder's
  • Blue
  • Lutino
  • Pastel
  • Mauve
  • Violet
  • Misty (Olive?)
• Pin Farm Lovebirds
  • Dark Green
  • Olive
  • Pastel
  • Lutino
  • Blue
  • Cobalt
  • Mauve
• Birds New York
  • Suffused Blue
• P4aviary's Exotic Feathered Friends
  • Olive
  • Mauve
  • Violet

     In October of 2005, I had to reduce my flock size.  I sold Coal and Onyx (to good homes).  Coal was my very first Black-cheeked lovebird.  It was a very hard decision but in the end the right one.
     In January of 2007, I reduced my flock again to only one pair of Black-Cheeked Lovebirds.
     In February 2008, I sold my remaining Black-Cheeked Lovebirds.