/ Modified oct 8, 2013 8:22 a.m.

African Birds Thrive in Phoenix

Population for the rosy-faced lovebirds, also known as the peach-faced lovebirds, has grown during the past few decades, as has its popularity.

Phoenix is home to some of the world's hottest summers, below freezing winters, and little rainfall with only about eight inches a year.

These conditions may be challenging, but they don't stop a variety of birds from thriving in the area.

The population for the rosy-faced lovebirds, also known as the peach-faced lovebirds, has grown during the past few decades, as has its popularity. Native to southwest Africa, these birds have found a new home in the desert valley.

Diane Woods-Olvera lives in the city's midtown area with her husband. Originally, she thought the lovebirds were an urban legend, but after seeing them she started providing them with food and water to keep them coming back.

"I like the birds more than anything right now," Woods-Olvera said. "I like to feed them, I want to encourage them to thrive here."

The colorful lovebirds are popular cage birds. Troy Corman, Avian Monitoring Coordinator for the Arizona Game and Fish Department said they were probably released on purpose or escaped from their owners in the 1980s.

The birds are able to thrive here, in a habitat similar to that of their native land.

"They're able to deal with the extreme temperatures we have here, and they've got a constant source of food and water here in the Phoenix area," Corman said.

Birding Experts:

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona