Lovebirds are captivating and affectionate birds, often considered suitable for beginner bird owners, though they do require dedicated attention. These small, stocky parrots, measuring between 5.1 to 6.7 inches, are best kept in pairs due to their strong need for companionship and affection. Their average lifespan is 10 to 12 years, with some individuals living even longer.
Diet and Feeding Essentials
In their natural habitat, lovebirds thrive on a diet of seeds, berries, fruits, grains, grasses, leaf buds, and agricultural crops like figs and maize. For a single lovebird in captivity, a daily intake of 1.5 to 2 ounces (45-60 grams) of feed is recommended. A balanced diet typically includes a small parrot mix, fortified with supplements and vitamins, or a formulated diet supplemented with fresh greens, fruits, and vegetables.
Essential supplements include a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits such as spinach, endive, berries, apples, and bananas. For added protein, offer unshelled nuts like peanuts, walnuts, and Brazil nuts. To ensure adequate calcium intake, provide a cuttlebone or a dish of gravel and oyster shell. Crucially, avoid feeding avocado, as it is toxic to birds.
Food and water dishes should be made of earthenware or porcelain to prevent chewing and potential ingestion of plastic, which can be lethal. Lovebirds are significant water drinkers, so it’s vital to change their water dishes multiple times throughout the day.
Creating the Ideal Lovebird Habitat
Lovebirds are highly active and require a spacious cage that accommodates their energetic nature. A minimum cage size of 32” x 20” x 20” (81 x 50 x 50 cm) is advised for a pair of birds. The cage should be equipped with approximately four perches, separate dishes for food and water, and a designated bathing area.
Position the cage on a stand or wall bracket at eye level, about 6 feet off the floor. The chosen location should offer good light and ventilation, while being protected from drafts. Placing the cage near a wall can enhance the bird’s sense of security. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause overheating, but ensure it’s not too far from a window to maintain natural light cycles.
Ideal daytime temperatures for lovebirds range from 60°F to 70°F (15.5°C to 21.1°C), with nighttime temperatures potentially dropping to 40°F (4.4°C). Generally, ambient temperatures comfortable for humans are suitable for these birds. Signs of temperature discomfort include fluffed-up feathers and prolonged eye closure when cold, or wings held away from the body and panting when overheated. Covering the cage at night can prevent drafts and disturbances. For optimal rest and to prevent aggression, provide multiple nest boxes of the same type and size (8″ x 8″ x 8″ or 10″ x 6″ x 6″) at the same height. Promptly remove any eggs to prevent overpopulation.
Daily and Weekly Maintenance
Consistent cage maintenance is key to preventing diseases and ensuring your lovebirds’ health. Daily tasks include cleaning and refilling food and water dishes. The cage bottom should be lined with plain newspaper, changed daily. Weekly, clean and disinfect the entire cage using warm, soapy water or an avian-specific disinfectant. Perches and toys should also be washed and thoroughly dried whenever they become soiled.
Understanding Lovebird Social Dynamics
Lovebirds are inherently social creatures, and it is widely believed that keeping them in pairs is essential for their well-being and happiness. If you own a single lovebird, it is crucial to provide ample social interaction to compensate for the lack of a feathered companion. These birds form strong loyalties to their owners or their mates.
While social with their chosen companions, lovebirds can exhibit extreme aggression towards other birds. It’s vital to ensure that all pairs are compatible and that they are true pairs, not mismatched individuals. Mixing different species of lovebirds is strongly discouraged as it often leads to fighting. Bonded pairs will engage in mutual grooming and feeding, especially during breeding seasons. These birds are vocal throughout the day and may retreat to their nest boxes if startled, sensing a potential predator, or experiencing cold, windy conditions.
Handling and Training Your Lovebird
To successfully tame a lovebird, it is recommended to choose a young, single bird. Young lovebirds possess a remarkable ability to learn tricks and become affectionate, whereas adult birds can be challenging to tame and may not readily imitate behaviors. Hand-raised youngsters are ideal as they are already socialized and tame, though they may not always be readily available.
Taming is a process that builds acceptance and trust between you and your bird. This involves spending significant time with your bird daily, starting with soft vocalizations and slow movements. Once your bird appears comfortable, begin hand-taming by gently encouraging it to step onto a dowel, offering a treat as a reward. This may require multiple attempts. When your bird is comfortable stepping onto a dowel, you can gradually substitute your finger for the dowel. While some lovebirds may learn a few words, they are not considered accomplished talkers.
Engaging Activities for Lovebirds
Lovebirds are diurnal, becoming active at dawn. Their day typically begins with drinking, eating, and chirping, often quieting down by mid-morning before resuming activity in the late afternoon. These birds are very active, enjoying flying, climbing, gnawing on wood or chew toys, and grooming themselves. Provide a variety of toys, including seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, shiny objects, and wooden gnaws. As natural paper shredders, offer them dye-free paper for enrichment.
When outside their cage, lovebirds are exploratory and may not stay within designated play areas. Ensure that any room used for out-of-cage time is free from open doors or windows, water sources like glasses or toilets, and hazards such as hot stoves. Constant supervision is essential whenever your lovebird is out of its cage.
Recognizing and Addressing Health Problems
Be vigilant for signs of illness in your lovebird. These may include withdrawal, ruffled and dull plumage, prolonged periods with eyes closed, watery or dull eyes, a runny nose, excessive sleeping, loss of interest in surroundings, and remaining at the feed dish. Changes in droppings, such as looseness or altered color (healthy droppings are grayish-white and not overly thin), can also indicate a problem. Other concerning signs include excessive tail bobbing, falling from perches, abnormal breathing, sneezing, and persistent scratching.
Common illnesses that lovebirds may contract include injuries from fighting, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, Polyoma Virus Infection, yeast infections (Candidiasis), Avian Pox Virus Infection, bacterial infections, internal parasites, mites, ticks, egg binding, intestinal influenza, coccidiosis, respiratory ailments, and diarrhea. Any bird exhibiting signs of illness should be immediately taken to an avian veterinarian for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Sources
Jack Hanna’s Ultimate Guide to Pets, 1996
www.Animal-World.com
