Lovebirds are a type of small Parrot that originate from Africa. Their name refers
to the strong bond between two mating Lovebirds. They are monogamous, meaning they will mate for life. There are many different species of Lovebirds, the Peach-Faced Lovebird is the species more commonly seen in pet stores and can be found in a wide variety of color variations.
One of the common myths about Lovebirds is that they should be kept in pairs.
Keeping a single Lovebird is absolutely fine, and they even tend to have better
relationships with their owners. If you do keep a single Lovebird, it is important
to spend time with them daily. Otherwise, it is recommended that you keep a pair.
Lovebirds can be very chatty and will often let out loud shrieks as many larger
Parrots will do. It is important to note this when shopping for a pet bird if you
feel a loud bird is not right for your home. They can, however, be very
entertaining to watch as they play and interact. Although they can look alike, each
Lovebird can have a very distinct and sometimes silly personality. They are also
very curious and enjoy chewing on things, so keeping a watchful eye on them when
outside of the cage is important to keep them safe.
Lovebirds can be trained to do simple tricks and can even be taught to talk. Their
ability to vocalize words is not as good as other birds but if you spend enough
time with them you will begin to hear them attempt to mimic your words.
Growth
With good care a healthy Lovebird can live between 10-15 years. One well known
fact about Lovebirds is that it is very difficult to determine their sex. Once they
reach about a year old they may begin to exhibit behaviors that can help determine
their sex but only DNA testing from certain companies can give you certainty.
When you have a mating pair of Lovebirds it is important to provide them with a
roost, nesting box or nesting material. You can purchase these items at Pets N You.
Lovebirds will lay eggs even if there is no nest available but will probably not be
cared for properly. You can expect 4 to 6 eggs in a clutch but each egg is layed 1
-2 days apart.
Diet
Like other Parrots, these birds require a variety in their diet. Along with a
standard seed and pellet mix, you need to provide your Lovebird with a daily source
of fruits and vegetables for a healthy happy life. You can also feed your Lovebird
a variety of pastas and beans. A treat Lovebirds will devour is "Spray Millet"
which can be bought at Pets N You. You should only give them "Spray Millet" as an
occasional treat as they will avoid their other nutritious food if you only give
them treats.
Some specific foods you can offer your Lovebird are; Whole Cereals & Whole Grains
(sugar and salt-free), Leaves from Broccoli, Cauliflower, Dandelions, Mustard, All
non-citrus fruits are safe without their seeds. Some citrus like Oranges are safe
without their seeds. Berries with tiny seeds such as Strawberries, Blueberries and
Raspberries are okay for them to eat with the seeds in them.
Some foods you should completely avoid because they are bad for birds are
Avocado, Chocolate, Milk, Onions, Appleseeds, Mushrooms, Cabbage, Rhubarb or
any processed or dried fruits. Although many blossoms and flowers are healthy for
your Lovebird to eat, many of their leaves can be toxic. It is best to not allow
your Lovebird to visit any houseplants you may have.
Because a Lovebird's beak is continuously growing they will find the need to
constantly chew on things. Providing them with an inxpensive Cuttlebone, which you
can purchase at Pets N You, will give them something to keep their beak sharpened
and it also provides them with a source of Calcium.
Drinking water for all birds should always be free of Chlorine. Many sources of tap-water still contain chlorine you should use unflavored bottled water or spring water. Do not use "Distilled" water as it lacks very important minerals your bird needs and can be harmful over time.
Habitat
Lovebirds require lots of space to move about in their cage. At Pets N You we can
help you choose a cage that will be right for you depending on the number of
Lovebirds you have.
Lovebirds have very active personalities and love to play. To help keep them
entertained provide their enclosure with several toys and perches. Lovebirds love
to roost so its helpful to give them a nesting box or roost to sit in, even if you
don't intend for them to mate.
Some people will leave a radio or a television on for their Lovebirds when they
leave the house for long periods of time. Lovebirds are intelligent and are always
listening, so this is a good way to keep them stimulated. You should
Health Care
There are several opinions on wether or not to clip the wings of Lovebirds. When
clipping their wings, it is only the "Flight Feathers" that should be clipped. This
provides them with enough flying ability to move around naturally but can keep them
from flying into harms way throughout your home and from escaping into the
outdoors. Nails of Lovebirds do not usually need trimmed as long as they are active
enough that they wear down naturally.
Although you typically should disinfect their entire cage weekly, you should still
change their droppings pan/paper daily if you wish to keep your Lovebird healthy.
Keeping their cage clean will also prevent health problems to their owner.
Something you should be aware of while having any pet birds is that Teflon is very toxic to them. If you plan on keeping your bird in or near a kitchen, you should not use any teflon coated cookware. When this cookware is overheated, the Teflon chemical can be breathed in by the bird. This causes a respiratory condition that can be fatal to your bird.