are love birds good pets

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With a name like “lovebird,” it seems that these lovely little parrots should be kept in pairs, right? There is a longstanding belief that a solitary lovebird left to its own devices in a cage will become depressed and wither away. However, like much of the information commonly believed about lovebirds, this sad singleton story is a myth, and most lovebirds survive very well on their own, thank you very much.

What are some other key facts about lovebirds? Weve tracked down an expert and lovebird owner to discover why lovebirds make such great pets for owners who are willing to shower them with love.

Meet Gregory, the Lovebird

It was close to Mother’s Day, 2011—a typical day. I arrived at the front door exhausted, and my youngest daughter forced me to close my eyes. That’s how I met Gregory. “You got me a bird!” I howled with surprise. There he was, all regal and colorful.

Gregory is a peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis). He has a 20-year lifespan and will always be small. Lovebirds are really small parrots. Although Gregory’s breed can speak, they are more adept at picking up tricks. Gregory can play basketball and open his own cage door. He mimics my taught kiss sounds to get my attention. It is a true love (bird) affair.

Actually, I’d never had a bird cuddle me until Gregory, a lovebird, did. He would crawl up my arms, onto my shoulder, and nestle under my hair.

1. Lovebirds Are Great Beginner Birds

Though lovebirds are less common as avian pets than budgies (parakeets), they are still a good choice for a committed beginner or intermediate birdkeeper who can devote a substantial amount of time and care to them.

Julia Scavicchio, a longtime bird enthusiast with a 4-year-old lovebird and experience with cockatiels and parakeet care, says in an email that people looking for a pet bird should consider lovebirds because they are affectionate, gregarious, and intelligent.

According to Scavicchio, “lovebirds are more akin to the demands of having a dog than having a small pet, such as a hamster.”

The key to building a solid relationship with a lovebird is to shower your feathered friend with affection from an early age. Adult lovebirds can be tough to tame and often refuse to learn tricks, but a young lovebird will thrive on daily social interaction with its human counterpart. Begin your lovebird relationship tenderly — move slowly and speak softly — then progress to hand-taming. Hand-taming involves gently pressing a dowel or hefty wooden stick to the birds chest while offering a treat to step onto the dowel. After the lovebird becomes comfortable with this arrangement, you can substitute your finger for the dowel, thus hand-taming your lovebird for close interaction.

3. Lovebirds Like to Be Active

Like their untamed friends, lovebirds get up early to eat, drink, and start a boisterous concerto. Usually, they will calm down by midmorning and start making noise again by late afternoon. These energetic birds should be released from their cages at least once a day (in a safe space with closed windows, of course) so they can investigate their surroundings. A revolving selection of toys is necessary to provide lovebirds with stimulation both inside and outside of their cages.

A variety of toys and trinkets can be very interesting for your bird to explore because lovebirds like to run back and forth and like to investigate different textures, according to Scavicchio.

Ideal lovebird toys include:

  • Dye-free paper for them to tear up
  • Playthings with sound effects, like cat toys with metal bells inside
  • Long, straight perches and rope

FAQ

What are the disadvantages of lovebirds?

Pet parents should provide their lovebirds with daily interaction and playtime outside their enclosed habitat. Without proper mental/physical stimulation, lovebirds will develop harmful habits, including feather plucking. Lovebirds are not known for their talking abilities, but they still sing, whistle, and chirp!

Is it good to have love birds at home?

Maintaining love birds in the home fosters mutual affection between husband and wife and sustains a joyful mood in the household. The visitors who come are enhanced by affection by placing Love Birds in the drawing room of the home in the south-west direction.

Do lovebirds like to be handled?

Lovebirds can be quite affectionate with the person who handles them. “A single lovebird will need much more daily attention compared to a pair of lovebirds,” Scavicchio said, “but will also be easier to train, as they are very focused on you.”

Are love birds high maintenance?

Attractive and loving, lovebirds make great pets. You’ll never be bored around these creatures, with their chirping skills and their wonderfully bubbly personality. These pets are preferred over many others because of their small size and easy maintenance.