Peach faced lovebirds are the most popular lovebirds for breeders as well as pet owners.  This is probably due to several factors:  
    1.  They are fairly easy to breed: both willing to breed in captivity and having large, successful clutches.
    2.  They are less likely to suffer from shyness or timidness.
    3.  They boast the most number of color mutations, having more color combinations than all of the other lovebird species combined.

Peach faced lovebirds are naturally found in south-west Africa, concentrated mostly in Namibia and Angola.  They are the largest of the lovebirds, usually about six inches long and weighing between 50 - 60 grams.  These birds become sexually mature and ready to breed between 10 and 12 months old.  Normal clutch size is between 4 and 6 eggs, although females can lay anywhere between 2 and 8 eggs.  Males and females cannot be visually sexed, as all external characteristics are the same in both sexes.  The normal or "wild" colored peach faced lovebird has a dark peach face, green body, royal blue rump, and black flight feathers.  Breeding these birds in captivity has allowed many color mutations to of the peach faced lovebird to become established.

Peach faced lovebirds were named as such due to the fact that the wild color lovebird has a deep peach face.  However, many of the color mutations have changed this face color to something other than peach (orange, melon, white, etc.).  The easiest way to distinguish a peach faced lovebird from the another lovebird species is the lack of the white flesh eye-ring.   Most other species of lovebirds bred in the United States and sold in the pet trade are eye-ring lovebirds (masked, fischers, and sometimes blackcheeks).  An inexperienced person can identify a peach faced lovebird quickly by noting the size of the bird in question and the lack of the eye-ring.

As pets, peach faced lovebirds are delightful!  Words cannot describe fully the personality of a peach faced lovebird.  They are spunky and full of energy, curious and mischievous.  When handfed and well-socialized, they make great pets for beginning bird owners and children.  Their size is not intimidating for someone new to the bird world.  They aren't extremely sensitive to changes in environment, and they are willing to meet new people and make new friends.  Lovebirds have many of the characteristics of larger parrots (yes, they ARE part of the parrot family!) including intelligence, social intuitiveness, and individuality.  Even the seasoned bird owner will find themselves surprised by the complexity of these little birds.

When purchasing a peach faced lovebird for a pet, please make sure that the bird is already socialized and hand-tamed.  Lovebirds are very difficult to tame if they have not been socialized as babies.  Untamed birds can be quite nippy and territorial.  Find a place where you are able to handle the babies before purchasing one.  This will allow you the opportunity to find out how well socialized the babies are, as well as learn each little personality before matching one up with your own personality.  Lovebirds most often make better pets when kept as singles.  This allows them to bond more closely to their human companions rather than another lovebird.  Please keep in mind, however, that lovebirds thrive on social interaction, so if you are unable to devote time to your bird, you may want to consider not purchasing one, or purchasing two and enjoying them from afar.

Orange-faced Green Babies