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Conservation implications of the drinking habits of Black-cheeked Lovebirds Agapornis nigrigenis in Zambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2006

LOUISE S. WARBURTON
Affiliation:
Research Centre for African Parrot Conservation, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa. E-mail: Perrin@ukzn.ac.za, Tel: +33 260 5118, Fax: +33 260 5105
MICHAEL R. PERRIN
Affiliation:
Research Centre for African Parrot Conservation, School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa. E-mail: Perrin@ukzn.ac.za, Tel: +33 260 5118, Fax: +33 260 5105
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Abstract

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Since 1950, the annual rainfall in the habitat of Black-cheeked Lovebirds Agapornis nigrigenis has decreased, increasing dependence on artificial water supplies. In this study, the seasonal water requirements and drinking behaviour of the lovebirds in their natural habitat were investigated. During the dry season, lovebirds drank at the same water-point in the early morning and late afternoon. Flock sizes of birds at drinking sites ranged from 1 to 175 individuals. Birds from one locale all drank at the same waterhole. Black-cheeked Lovebirds were vigilant and highly cautious drinkers that did not drink at waterholes when disturbed by humans or livestock. The implications for conservation of the species are discussed. Since water availability is a limiting factor for the Black-cheeked Lovebird, gradual desiccation of its habitat has caused the reduction of its small distributional range. Because of increasing dependence on artificial water supplies in a highly localized distribution the priority for conservation management of the species must be creating and maintaining water resources with minimal external disturbance.

Type
Articles
Copyright
BirdLife International 2005