Lovebird Pet Care

Lovebirds are quiet birds who can live in an apartment with you. They can also be friendly with all members of your family if they are hand-fed and socialized from a young age. Lovebirds are a favorite among pet birds.

About Lovebirds

Lovebird Pet Care: Cage Set-Up

• A Lovebird needs a cage about twice the size of its wingspan, but the bigger the cage, the better.
  • The Lovebird thrives in pairs or even in groups, but you’ll need a larger cage for more than one.
• Your lovebird’s cage should include at least two perches of different heights, thicknesses, and textures (including natural branches, if possible). These variations help keep your lovebird’s feet healthy. Your bird should be able to move between the perches easily.
  • Do not put perches over food or water dishes. The birds’ droppings will contaminate the food and water.
• Birds are sensitive to strong smells, smoke, and drafts. Keep your lovebird’s cage away from the kitchen and away from windows. 
• Cushion the cage floor with a corncob layer, aspen, wood pellet, or recycled paper bedding, or use a liner.
  • You’ll need to remove droppings frequently.
  • Spot-clean the bottom liner or bedding weekly and replace it once a month.

Lovebird Pet Care: Temperament

These birds are described as active, curious, feisty, and playful. They have big personalities and are very social birds. And as a result, they are likely to form deep bonds with their owners and can be very cuddly birds.

A Lovebird can also be very territorial, aggressive, and jealous if not correctly tamed and worked with from a young age.

Single lovebirds do fine without a mate as long as they receive enough attention and social interaction from their owners. If you are short on time, it is especially important to get him or her a companion. Lovebirds are flock animals, so they thrive when they feel that they are part of a flock.

Origin and History

Except for the Madagascar lovebird — a native to that island — all lovebird species call the African continent home. They tend to live in small flocks.

Speech and Vocalizations

While not as loud as some larger parrots, lovebirds can still produce a loud, high-pitched screech, especially when they’re seeking your attention. As a general rule, they are not known for their ability to mimic speech or sounds, but both sexes have the potential to chatter.

Lovebird Pet Care: Diet and Nutrition

• Lovebirds, like other parrots, should be fed a variety of foods. Seeds can be a nutritious part of the menu, but they are high in fat. Seeds should be no more than 25 percent of the bird’s diet.
• A good pelleted bird food should be the basis of the diet. Pelleted diets are often the right choice for birds as they are nutritionally balanced, and birds can’t pick out their favorite seeds and leave the rest.
• To make sure that your bird gets all the nutrients it needs, offer a variety of fresh fruit, grasses, seeds, and vegetables. Try to rotate the kinds of fresh foods you offer.
• Your lovebird should always have access to a cuttlebone or a mineral block to help keep its beaks healthy.
• Your lovebird must have fresh water at all times.

Exercise

Like all parrots, lovebirds are active and playful. They’ll do best with plenty of interaction and playtime.

It is a good idea to have lots of toys on hand and to rotate them throughout the cage to keep these birds occupied. Giving them attention every day, will also strengthen your bond and prevent unwanted behavior.

Lovebirds can be aggressive chewers, so keep this in mind when choosing toys. Safe toys include wood, sisal, leather, acrylic, and rawhide toys, as well as bells and ladders.

Healthcare

The vitamins and minerals found in fruits, vegetables, and a pellet-based diet are essential for maintaining your lovebird’s health. If you notice any of these signs of illness or distress, contact a veterinarian who treats birds:

• Decreased appetite or weight loss.
• Decreased activity or grooming.
• Feathers fluffed up for a long time.
• Long periods sitting at the bottom of the enclosure.
• Sneezing.
• Discharge from nose or mouth.
• Change in droppings for more than two days.

Pet Safety

• Use caution when handling pets, and remember they may bite or scratch (especially when stressed).
• Supervise children around pets.
• ALL ANIMALS can potentially carry viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases contagious to humans.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after contact with any pet or its habitat.
• Adults should assist children with handwashing after contact with a pet, its habitat, or aquarium water.

Related Searches

Bird Care

• Canary Care
• Cockatiel Care
• Lovebird Care
• Sun Conure Care
• Zebra Finch Care
• Parakeet Care