Lovebirds are small parrots that are known for forming strong bonds with their mates. Their name comes from the affectionate, monogamous relationships they form. While lovebirds can make fun, interactive pets, they do require more specialized care than some other pet birds. Taking the time to understand their needs and properly setup their housing can help ensure a loving relationship between owner and bird.
Lovebird Personality and Behavior
Lovebirds are energetic, playful birds that bond strongly with their owners when handled regularly. They are active and curious, and love exploring and shredding toys. Most lovebird species are quite vocal, and will chatter, chirp, and squawk frequently. Their vocalizations can be loud and shrill at times. Lovebirds have big personalities packed into a small body, ranging from 4 to 7 inches long. Some characteristics of lovebird personalities include:
- Active and playful
- Bond closely with owners
- Love to climb and chew
- Very vocal
- Can be territorial and aggressive
- Require a lot of interaction
- Prone to bonding too strongly to one person
- Intelligent and social
Lovebirds thrive on frequent interaction and play time with their owners. A single lovebird will bond very strongly to its human companion, and may become overprotective or aggressive with others. Getting two lovebirds can help address this issue, as they will bond to each other. Lovebirds still require daily interactive play sessions with their owners to stay tame and well-socialized.
Lovebird Diet and Nutrition
Ensuring lovebirds receive proper nutrition is key to their health. In the wild, lovebirds eat a diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, berries, seeds, nuts, and some proteins. As pets, they should be fed a high quality pelleted diet formulated specifically for parrots as their dietary staple. This provides balanced nutrition. Their diet can be supplemented with:
- Chopped fruits and veggies: apples, oranges, melon, kale, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, etc.
- Sprouted or germinated seeds
- Cooked whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, oats
- Nut and seed mixes
- Some cooked egg
- Cuttlebone for calcium
Fresh water should always be available. Avoid feeding lovebirds avocado, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol as these can be toxic to them. A vitamin supplement specifically for birds is recommended.
Lovebird Housing
Lovebirds are active birds that need space to fly and play daily. There are several housing options that can work well:
- Cage: Get the largest cage possible – minimum 30 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 18 inches high for one lovebird. Bigger is even better. Make sure bar spacing is no more than 1/2 inch. Line the bottom with paper, corn cob or pellet bedding. Include multiple perches, toys, food/water bowls.
- Indoor aviary: A large, tall flight enclosure where your lovebird(s) can fly freely in a room during the day. Close it off at night.
- Parrot play stand: A small indoor play gym they can spend time on outside their cage.
- Outdoor aviary/enclosure: A secure screened-in outdoor area they can spend warm days in. Supervise closely.
Make sure any housing includes:
- Varied perches and toys
- Foraging/shredding opportunities
- Areas to hide/sleep
Keep any outdoor housing or flight enclosures safe from predators and parasites. Bring lovebirds in at night.
Interacting with Lovebirds
Lovebirds require a lot of interactive play and quality time with owners to stay tame, engaged and mentally healthy. Plan to spend at least an hour a day playing, training and socializing with your lovebird(s).
Some activities lovebirds enjoy include:
- Playing with bird-safe toys
- Foraging for treats in crinkle paper, boxes
- Chewing wood, leaves, mineral blocks
- Trying new fruits and veggies
- Perching on their owner and preening
- Bird-safe mirrors
- Learning tricks
- Showering in a gentle spray of water
Supervise young children and guide safe interactions to avoid plucking feathers or injury. Training lovebirds through positive reinforcement builds trust and mental stimulation.
Potential Health Problems
When cared for properly, lovebirds can live 10-15 years. Some health issues to be aware of include:
- Obesity: From excess seeds/nuts and lack of exercise. Maintain healthy diet and activity level.
- Respiratory infections: Use proper hygiene and avoid drafts.
- feathers: From poor diet or chewing out of boredom/stress. Address diet and environment.
- Egg binding: Can occur in breeding hens. See an avian vet if egg bound.
- Diarrhea: Bacteria and parasites can cause loose droppings. Have stool cultured.
- Tumors: Lovebirds prone to some benign and cancerous tumors. Surgery may remove benign growths.
- Cataracts: Lens whitening that leads to blindness, seen in aging lovebirds.
Take unwell lovebirds to an avian vet promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment. Annual wellness checkups are recommended even when birds seem healthy to catch issues early.
Finding a Lovebird
There are 9 species of lovebirds. Some commonly kept types include:
- Peach-faced lovebird: Most popular pet lovebird. Green body, peach face/beak, blue rump.
- Fischer’s lovebird: Small, active lovebirds with bright yellow and blue-green coloring.
- Black-masked lovebird: Yellow body with black mask. Highly social.
- Madagascar/rose-headed lovebird: Bright green with distinctive red beak.
Look for lovebirds from reputable breeders, specialty stores or bird rescues. Reputable sellers will:
- Allow you to handle and interact with birds before purchasing
- Provide veterinary records and health guarantee
- Offer guidance on care and nutrition
- Answer questions openly
- Have clean facilities
Avoid buying lovebirds from flea markets, auctions or pet stores with poor conditions. Also be cautious adopting from strangers online, as you don’t know a bird’s background.
Cost of Lovebirds
Common pet lovebird species range from $25 to $100 for juveniles hand-raised and socialized. Rarer lovebird mutations can cost a few hundred dollars. Adult lovebirds are often cheaper. Rescue birds or those with unknown histories tend to cost $15 to $50.
In addition to the upfront cost of the bird, expect to spend around $300 to $500 for a proper setup including:
- Spacious cage
- Perches, dishes, toys
- Play gym
- Food, supplements
- Vet exam, wellness visits
Annual costs for food, supplies and medical care range from $300 to $500. Emergency vet visits for illness or injury can be $200 or more.
Are Lovebirds Good Pets?
When their needs for interactive play and companionship are met, lovebirds can make very fun, affectionate pets. Key considerations include:
- Need 1-2 hours play and bonding time daily
- Very vocal – frequent loud chirps, squawks
- Require large cage and play area
- Can bond too strongly to one person
- Prone to feather damaging behavior if stressed
- Messy – produce a lot of bird droppings
- Can be nippy and territorial
- Require specialized avian vet care
Lovebirds are best suited for bird lovers who have time to interact with them extensively each day. They can be challenging pets for first-time bird owners or families with young children. With proper care and handling though, lovebirds can be amazingly engaging, affectionate companions.
Tips for Keeping Lovebirds
Follow these tips for a happy, healthy lovebird:
- Select a hand-raised baby bird that enjoys human interaction.
- Get at least a 30 inch wide cage filled with toys, perches and foraging activities.
- Let them fly freely in a proofed room each day.
- Feed pelleted diet with fresh chopped produce and healthy treats.
- Schedule an hour or more of daily play, training and bonding.
- Shower or mist them 1-2 times a week.
- Keep nails trimmed to avoid injury when landing on hands or shoulders.
- Discourage egg laying with limited daylight hours.
- Clean cage and dishes thoroughly each week.
- Use heavy stainless steel dishes – lovebirds fling lightweight plastic.
- Find an avian vet and take for annual exams.
- Watch for signs of illness and take to vet promptly.
- Give lovebirds attention and activities when leaving the house.
- Read up on lovebird body language to better understand their communications.
Are Lovebirds Right for You?
Before getting a lovebird, carefully consider if they are a good match for your lifestyle and experience level. Key questions to ask yourself include:
- Do I have at least an hour daily to devote to my bird?
- Can I accommodate a large, noisy cage in my home?
- Am I comfortable trimming nails, handling delicate birds?
- Can I identify signs of illness and meet vet care costs?
- Do I have an avian vet nearby to provide specialized care?
- Can I commit to caring for a bird that may live 10+ years?
- Am I prepared if my lovebird bonds to just one family member?
- Is my family’s activity level and noise compatible with an energetic, vocal bird?
If you can answer yes to most or all of these, a lovebird may be a great pet for you! Their animated personalities and strong bonds make lovebirds rewarding companions for the right owners. With attentive care, exercise and affection, lovebirds can make wonderfully engaging pets.
Conclusion
Lovebirds are active, vocal parrots that require specialized care and housing, but make delightful pets for bird enthusiasts. Their strong bonding instincts mean they need extensive daily interaction and playtime with owners to stay happy and healthy. Lovebirds are energetic, curious and very vocal. First-time bird owners may find their care challenging. But for experienced bird lovers, lovebirds can be amazingly endearing companions when provided attentive, hands-on care.
