12 Important Aspects to Consider Before Deciding to Raise Lovebirds

Avatar of Ciaran Connolly
Updated on: Educator Review By: Michelle Connolly

Consider Your Lifestyle

Think about whether or not keeping lovebirds as pets are the best choice for you. I do everything I can to dissuade people from buying two or more lovebirds simultaneously. You and your lone bird have the potential to form a bond, whereas if you buy two baby birds, they are more likely to bond with each other.

Spend your money on a lovebird couple. If you have two lovebirds, the likelihood of them forming a bond is much higher than with you. You should get two if you do not have enough time to create a close relationship with a single bird.

You have the option of selecting a pair of birds that are of different sexes or a pair of birds that are of the same sex. Regardless of the gender makeup of either or both of them, their connection will be vital.

You are such a beautiful soul. I find it hard to believe that you are single-handedly caring for a baby lovebird. That is a lovely thing to do, and I admire you for doing it. I have no doubt that you will become a god to your Luka (Yes, in fact, I used to have 2 birds).

You are going to be extremely fortunate to find such distinctive work. On top of that, you will be teaching everyone else from your own experience. It is a great pleasure to note that you have provided a step-by-step guide for preparing their food and other related matters.

Lovebirds Facts for Kids
Beautiful bird, Lovebird, standing on the log, face and breast profile

Think About Lovebirds

Having just a few birds that are of a good size and quality, to begin with, will result in a better stock to build on. If you do not take precautions, you will end up with many unremarkable offspring, far too many to keep, and nothing of value.

Quality agricultural accomplishments are not short-term projects; the breeders you see with better-class birds have typically spent a significant amount of time and effort for many years to get to that point. Because seed on its own does not fulfil the requirements for a balanced diet in terms of the vitamins and minerals that must be consumed, other foods are required.

Calcium plays a significant role in maintaining the overall health of birds because it contributes to the development of strong bones and beaks in young and mature birds. It also helps hens produce healthy eggs when they are nesting.

Thankfully, lovebirds enjoy eating cuttlefish, an excellent calcium source. I also provide a continuous supply of shell grit, which is grit that I personally gathered while on vacation on the Southern California coast.

I do not wash the determination because it is believed that the salt in grit can boost fertility. Spirit also contains minerals, iodine, and salt. Sometimes birds make a big mess. Even the smallest species can scatter food and feathers over a large area.

Still, larger species are simply responsible for the most confusion. It will significantly help save time if you have a powerful vacuum that can pick up stray feathers and crumbs. Check that you won’t have trouble devoting the required amount of time and energy to this project.

Local Breeders of Lovebirds

Find a local veterinarian who specialises in birds of prey. You must have ready access to veterinary care if you decide to keep a lovebird. It’s possible that the pet store near you can recommend a qualified veterinarian to treat lovebirds.

Have a conversation with the other people who live in your home about getting a lovebird. If you share your home with others. You should consult them before deciding whether or not to get a lovebird. Check to see that everyone else in your household is on the same page.

Regarding whether or not lovebirds would be a good fit for you and your home, even if you are sure that having lovebirds would be a good option for both of you. Although it is likely that many more questions, some of which will be general and some of which will be specific, will come up from time to time.

I have tried to cover the more general ones that apply to newcomers and/or those that have been involved with the care and breeding of Lovebirds for some time. The responses provided and the experiences of other breeders may result in different answers.

Make Preparations

You should not anticipate that they will start breeding as soon as they arrive. The frenzy is a significant obstacle for new breeders. Breeders who have experience know that moving the birds to new homes, cages, or environments is the most effective way to prevent unwanted reproduction.

Therefore, if your bird has only recently arrived, you should not anticipate that it will start breeding soon. Relax; you’ll get there eventually. It is essential to provide birds with a wide selection of foods, including pelleted diets explicitly designed for them and fresh fruits and vegetables.

To encourage them to explore and experiment with their food. Hand-feeding may be stopped at certain times, typically beginning with the midday feedings, as introducing solid foods progresses further. As time goes on, the possibility exists that the morning feeding will be skipped.

Eventually, the evening feeding. Observing other birds or older babies eating can help some young birds learn how to feed themselves more quickly. After the first week, the number of greens can be increased. They can be given twice a day (in the morning and the evening).

That is if sufficient quantities are available and if the number of daylight hours permits it. Lovebirds will also eat minimal amounts of apples. In the early winter, when the berries of Cotoneaster, Hawthorn, and Privet are ripe, small bunches of these berries are eagerly accepted, primarily for the seeds contained within. Lovebirds will also eat tiny amounts of apples.

Raising The Birds Right!

Outside of their natural habitat, you should provide them with toys that encourage interaction and sing or play quiet music for them. Birds are known to enjoy listening to music and even have their own preferences in terms of specific songs.

Some married couples will even dance to their favourite songs while mimicking the melodies of the songs they are playing. Hanging a jar full of water from the underside of the nest box with holes into the nest chamber is one solution that can be tried.

Lovebirds LearningMole
Funny lovebird parrot at large cage on rooom with sunshine.

Check Supplies

This is not an article on how to feed a baby by hand, as I would like to make clear right off the bat. The information presented in this article is to acquaint the reader with the numerous options, factors to consider, and potential issues that may arise.

Note this article in your bookmarks for future reference and to use as additional reading material. I have made an effort to discuss topics that may not be fully covered or explained in most of the currently available information online.

The day you bring your bird home is the day that your world and its circumstances change forever. This is the big moment for you when all of your study and admiration of birds is suddenly going to pay off and become quite real.

The day you bring home your new bird can be a very nerve-wracking experience. It’s possible that the breeder’s house was the only other place he’s ever been in his life. Even if your bird was purchased from a pet store and is accustomed to a never-ending stream of new people.

Thus, you and your bird will experience new things in your new home. If you bought a budgie or cockatiel, his interactions with humans were limited to being netted out of a group of his friends and transported to a pet store, where he would wait to be netted again when he was purchased.

If you bought a canary, his interactions with humans were even more limited. Are you able to assist in making these birds into self-assured pets? Or perhaps you’ve decided to take on a real challenge by adopting a bird that has been bought and sold multiple times, handed down from one owner to the next.

It may have been mistreated at some point along the way. This character has a pessimistic and fearful outlook on the world, and they believe that you will inevitably prove to be yet another letdown for him. Is it possible for you to alter his perspective?

Patience, consistency, and knowledge are the keys to success in any circumstance. The process of getting your bird to feel at home in its new environment and establishing a relationship with it consists of two stages:

  • You first need to make sure that the physical environment that your bird is in is suitable, and
  • Only after that can you begin to work on changing his attitude toward you.

The cage is your bird’s castle, where they will spend most of their time (or all of it, in the case of finches or budgies). It is important to take the time to properly set it up. The powerful beak of your bird, particularly if it is a parrot, is more than capable of reducing prized antiques to toothpicks.

If it is not contained in a cage. A cage safeguards not only your bird but also your belongings. Pick a spot where your bird will be close to the activities your family enjoys doing together but not right in the thick of things.

Your bird will feel the most at ease in his environment if his cage is positioned against a wall. This will allow him to keep an eye on the goings-on without worrying about anyone approaching him from behind.

For the same reason, you should position the cage in a spot where your bird will not be startled, such as away from large pieces of furniture that could obstruct his view of the room and the comings and goings of family members and friends.

Both humans and birds despise the feeling of being taken by surprise. place the cage, so it is not in direct sunlight and not too close to a window. This will prevent the bird from becoming overheated. However, positioning the cage so that it is close to a window so that your bird can look outside is not a bad idea.

Your pet will have a good time playing with it. Although the kitchen might appear to be the perfect location for your bird’s cage, you should reconsider this option. It is not worth exposing your bird to potentially lethal fumes, such as those produced by burning nonstick cookware.

Because the likelihood of this happening is too high. Place the bird’s cage in your home, preferably close to where people congregate. Do not get overly excited about toys immediately; having two or three is acceptable, but having more than that could be overwhelming.

Make use of natural and commercially available perches, and arrange them, so they are not directly over the food and water bowls. You don’t want to give your bird any reason to defecate in his food or water, do you?

After you have prepared the bottom of the cage by lining it with newspaper or another non-hazardous material, you are ready to show your bird his new home. Travelling to their new home Larger parrots need not only a travelling cage but also a permanent one where they can live out their lives.

That is not the case with smaller birds; all that is necessary is a single cage of the appropriate size. It may be appealing to purchase a bird and a cage, place the bird in the cage, and then dash back to your house, but you should avoid giving in to this temptation.

Large or small, your bird will be more comfortable in a small box or carrier, with a towel draped over it to darken the space and relax him. Be sure to leave a few spaces open for air to circulate. Even if there is a perch available, it is still a good idea to place a towel in the bottom of the box or carrier so that the bird has a stable footing surface and is prevented from sliding around.

Place the carrier in a spot where it won’t be able to roll away or fall over. You can either secure it in the seat by placing it on the floorboard on the passenger side or thread the seat belt through the bag’s handle.

Make sure to not put the pet’s carrier in the car’s trunk because the exhaust fumes could be fatal to your new pet. And whatever you do, don’t put your small bird in a small carrying box and place it on the dashboard of your vehicle while you drive home.

That would be a terrible experience for both you and the bird. When you return to your house, place your pet bird in his cage and give him space to be himself. It will take some time for him to become accustomed to his new surroundings.

Let your bird be, regardless of how adorable he is, how much you want to show him off, or how much the kids want to have him perch on their fingers. Give him three days of peace to adjust to the new circumstances.

Because you will spend the rest of your lives together, asking you to put your plans on hold for a mere three days is not an unreasonable request. This does not mean that you should not talk to your bird; you should communicate with your new family member.

However, you should do so delicately and with the utmost respect for how terrified they may be. Sing to them. Give them reading from the newspaper. Make eye contact with them and tell them they are gorgeous while also telling them that you love them.

But as far as actual contact goes, keep your hands to yourself for the time being. You need to remove and replace fresh foods, change the cage liner, clean and refill the food and water containers, and do all of these things slowly, calmly, and deliberately.

You should not take it personally if they decide to move as far away from you as possible because, eventually, it will be your turn. Although purchasing a bird and providing it with a new, happy home can be a significant financial investment, most of the equipment some retailers recommend is not strictly necessary.

Some of the products currently on the market are not only pointless, but they also pose a health risk. There is one thing that you should never skimp on when it comes to providing for your bird, regardless of how many essential and non-essential items you purchase for it.

Lovebirds Facts for Kids
Funny lovebird parrot at large cage on rooom with sunshine.

Must Have

Begin with a bird in good health and well-acclimatised bird, and buy it from a reputable breeder or bird shop. Have an avian veterinarian examine the bird (and include a baseline laboratory workup). Here is a list of items that you must have to properly care for your bird:

  • A cage that is both well-designed and secure and is of a size that is suitable for the species. A good rule of thumb is to select a size that is one size larger than what is recommended on the packaging, like a small parrot cage for a cockatiel.
  • A diet that is suitable for the species in question.
  • A diet of pellets, supplemented with fresh vegetables and fruit. It is recommended for most birds.
  • Bowls are made of stainless steel or pottery with a glaze that is safe for consumption.
  • Wood, rope, natural branches; such as manzanita or citrus, and cement are some materials that can be used as perches.
  • Sturdy playthings for both entertainment and physical activity.
  • A squirt bottle to mist your bird.
  • Nail clippers are designed for animals, either dogs or cats.
  • A Dremel tool for blunting the nails.
  • A styptic powder to stop any bleeding.
  • First aid kit; buy one ready-made or put together your own
  • Travel cage or carrier.
  • Cleaning supplies.
Lovebirds LearningMole
Closeup of adorable little lovebird chicks playing together biting each other with beaks while sitting in nest among green potted plants

Don’t Need

Here are some things that you shouldn’t purchase. Still, you might be pressured into doing so anyway:

  • Medications that can be bought without a prescription, such as antibiotics, so-called “cures” for feather-picking, vitamins, and parasite controls.
  • Sandpaper is positioned on perches.
  • Seed-exclusive diets.
  • Toys that are made of plastic or that are small enough to be swallowed.
  • Grit Nesting boxes, except for a breeding bird.

Worth Trying

And finally, some things would be beneficial to have, both for you and your bird, including;

  • Air filter and humidifier
  • Handheld vacuum
  • Play gym
  • A cage skirt designed to collect food and any other messes that may occur
  • Identification, either through a microchip or a leg band

Many wonderful birds find themselves needing rescue, possibly because their caretaker passed away or someone in the home developed an allergy to feather dander. Sometimes a person will simply get too many birds, and because of a move or a lifestyle change, they will need to reduce the size of the flock.

Sometimes a person’s new spouse, partner, or baby cannot tolerate the bird for whatever reason. This can happen in several different scenarios. Even a bird that has been hand-fed and is extremely tame can become a problem for its owner if its living situation changes.

Not every bird that needs rescuing has health problems. RNA parrot rescue organisation will not provide free birds to anyone who asks for them. You will be required to pay an adoption fee covering the previous housing, feeding, and medical care your new bird received.

A rescue organisation is not the place to go if you are looking for an inexpensive bird; however, the bird will come with its own cage, and supplies are a helpful perk. Wouldn’t it be simpler to just buy a bird? Yes. On the other hand, you might discover that adopting a child is more rewarding.

Adopting a bird makes room in the rescue organisation for another bird to come in if one of them is adopted. Before they can take in a bird, some rescue organisations have up to a year’s worth of people on their waiting list.

If you are looking for a specific species of parrot, you might have to wait a while before you can adopt one, but if you are willing to be patient, the majority of the more common species become available for adoption on a fairly regular basis. It is important to be aware of which birds are up for adoption.

If you are considering getting a parrot as a pet, you should research the different kinds of birds on the market. Even though a parrot of any species, size, or age can end up without a home, larger cockatoos, Amazons.

A pair of wild Amazon parrots were given a new home, and their new owner adores the male Amazon parrot despite his plucked breast and other characteristics. When parrots reach adulthood, they can become destructive, noisy, and even chronic pluckers or biters.

That is if they are not provided with the appropriate housing, nutrition, and social interaction. Some people are not equipped to deal with any of these behaviours, so they choose not to own parrots. Used birds have the potential to develop into loving and joyful companions.

Only if they are allowed to be themselves and are encouraged to mature into the parrots they were designed to be. You can find virtually every parrot species in a rescue organisation. From the tiniest prattled to the largest umbrella cockatoo, as well as everything in between.

Lovebirds LearningMole
A Colourful Parrot Standing on a Tree Bush

Adopting From A Rescue Organisation

You can be sure that your new bird has been to the veterinarian and has been given a clean bill of health if you adopt it from a rescue organisation; If they haven’t, you’ll be made aware of any health issues they may have.

This is one of the many great reasons to adopt a rescue organisation. You may not receive this assurance from a pet store or breeder, so you must inquire as to whether or not the parrot you are considering purchasing has undergone a veterinary checkup or been vaccinated.

There are so many parrots needing homes that local shelters are at capacity. You have the potential to save the life of a bird that is looking for nothing more than a warm, safe place to call home and a companion to love.

Because there are so many different bird rescues, your best bet is to look for them online rather than in a single location. Because they frequently have a network of foster families who temporarily take in birds, you might have to talk to several different people before you find the bird that is best suited to you.

You might also be required to wait and maintain regular contact with the rescue organisation. Because parrots can live for such a long time when given the proper care, so adopting a bird that is 10 or even 20 years old is still the same as adopting a child.

Don’t let a bird’s age deter you. Fill out the application for emergency assistance. Before allowing you to adopt a bird, a reputable rescue organisation will want to learn as much as possible about your living situation and routines.

Application Questions

Along with submitting an adoption application, you might be required to complete an online tutorial, watch some videos, or even attend a class on how to care for birds. The following is a list of questions that might appear on the application:

  • Are you 18 (or 21) or older?
  • Why do you want a bird?
  • Do you own the home you live in, or do you rent it?
  • Does your landlord permit you to keep a pet bird if you live in rented accommodations?
  • Who is going to take primary responsibility for the bird’s well-being?
  • How many hours will the bird have to spend by itself each day?
  • I was wondering if anyone in the house was a smoker.
  • Do you ever use cookware that won’t stick to the pan?
  • I was wondering if anyone in your household suffers from asthma or allergies.
  • I was wondering if any young children were living in your home.
  • Does everyone residing in the house want the bird?
  • Do you have any prior experience working with birds in any capacity?
  • Do you have access to a veterinary specialist who treats birds?
  • If you cannot provide the necessary care for the bird, what will happen to it?
  • Are you aware that birds can be noisy, messy, and may even bite?
  • Where exactly will the bird make its home?
  • Do you also take care of any other animals as pets, such as cats, dogs, snakes, or fish?
  • All of your other animals have received the most recent vaccinations, right?

Don’t bother looking too far away because many shelters won’t adopt an animal from someone who lives in another state. Some animal shelters only adopt within their own region. Because most rescue organisations do not ship birds, you must arrange to pick up the bird yourself.

Get ready for the home visit from the rescue organisation. If your application is successful, the rescue organisation will arrange to come to your house. The entire process may take a few weeks.

It is common for the person who comes to visit you to be a volunteer who is giving up some of their time to assess both the environment in which the bird will be housed and your capacity to provide proper care for a parrot.

Evaluation Considerations

The person doing the evaluation might consider some of the following:

  • Do you appear knowledgeable about bird guardianship, or are you willing to learn more about the topic?
  • Do you have screens installed in your window openings?
  • Are there any quick ways to get out of here?
  • Do you have other pets that could be dangerous to the bird?
  • Do you have any close neighbours who might be bothered by the parrot’s constant chirping?
  • Is there clutter in your house?
  • Do you have any plants in your house that could harm your parrot?
  • How long will it take you to get from your house to the avian emergency veterinarian closest to you?
  • Do any of your other animals appear to be in good health?
  • Is there a significant quantity of alcohol and/or drug paraphernalia in the area?
  • Does the house smell like cigarette smoke or other types of smoked products?

If you are successful in the home visit, most rescue organisations will allow you to foster the bird for a few months. This will allow you and the bird to become acquainted with one another and determine whether or not you are a good match.

In that case, the bird will be returned to the rescue organisation. If at first you try it and it is unsuccessful, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. Rescues want to ensure that you and your bird will be a long-term match, and they know that not all birds will be suitable in all homes.

Introductions

They want to make sure that you and your bird are going to get along well. Suppose the rescue organisation decides you would be a good candidate to adopt a bird. In that case, they will likely ask you to sign a contract outlining the care you intend to provide for the animal.

If for any reason, you decide you no longer want the bird, most rescue organisations will take it back. If you find a new home for the bird on your own, you risk incurring a fine. Walking around the neighbourhood or going for rides in the car are both great opportunities for introductions.

Still, throwing a party is not another fun and effective way to familiarise your pet with a wide variety of people. Invite a number of your close friends over for snacks and to watch them interact with your new pet.

This does not imply that you should simply let your friends pet your adopted bird whenever they want. Keep in mind that all of your pet’s first encounters with people need to be calm and positive for the best results.

Give your friends some treats so that they can give them to your bird. Ask each of them to come up to them one at a time to pet and play with them. Your bird will get the impression that people are lovely to be around and that they are worth trying to please.

As long as they continue to receive focused and happy attention from everyone. Before you begin the process of socialising your bird, you should make sure that they do not have any fear or aggression issues, such as becoming anxious around specific types of people or snapping to protect food.

Putting your bird in situations in which they feel nervous, cornered, or surrounded by too many people before they are ready can actually make them more fearful or anxious than they already was. If you aren’t sure, try inviting friends over one at a time for a while to see how your bird reacts each time a new person comes over. And don’t stop bringing the tasty treats!

Choosing The One – Lovebirds!

Expand your horizons and think about other birds that could make beautiful pets before you purchase if the only types of parrots on your must-have list are the largest and most colourful of the species. The world of birds is quite extensive, with more than 300 species of parrots alone.

However, it is essential to remember that not all parrots are suitable for keeping as pets. In various ways, some of these species are ideal choices for first-time pet owners. Some are good because they do not require or even want to be handled, while others are good for the opposite reason: feathered love sponges.

Some of which are well-known, and some of which are not. They might be reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and just plain reasonable to live with. This list is admittedly subjective, but it includes birds that are reasonable to live with.

When looking for a new pet, doing business with a breeder or store with a good reputation is essential. If you don’t, all the beautiful qualities we associate with birds might not be present in the animals you find. Some pet stores view birds as the merchandise that should be bred, transported, and sold as quickly and effectively as possible.

While a high stock turnover may be a successful strategy for merchandising widgets, it is not the best strategy for dealing with pets. If you work with people who sell happy, well-adjusted birds, you can be sure that your pet will get off to the best possible start.

In our recommendations for novices, you may have observed that we do not include any of the larger parrot species, such as macaws and cockatoos. It is probably best to hold off on becoming the owner of one of these large, loud, powerful, and long-lived species of birds until you have a good understanding of what it means to share your life with a bird.

You should try to develop a relationship with a local avian veterinarian. Because birds are so different from other animals, they should be treated and cared for by an expert familiar with their specific requirements.

Vets & Birds

Make sure your bird is both healthy and content with its life. Suppose your bird exhibits any of concerning symptoms. In that case, you must take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Before something urgent happens.

If you can’t get the bird to the vet right away, keep it warm in the meantime (a room temperature of at least 85 degrees). The temperature can be maintained effectively by using a regular heating pad and wrapping it around the cage. To prevent draughts from entering, cover the enclosure.

Healthy behaviours concerning eating and drinking. Your bird needs to show interest in food and water and keep a consistent schedule for eating and drinking to thrive. Any deviation from this pattern may indicate that the bird is ill.

However, a sick bird may spend more time than usual at its food dish, even though he may not be eating during that time.

Lovebirds LearningMole
Closeup of little adorable gray lovebird chick sitting on crop hand of anonymous male owner and eating from syringe

Bonding With Your Bird

It is essential to remove your bird from its natural environment before attempting to form a bond with it. This time away from their usual environment is beneficial.

It gives them the stimuli they need to be happy and healthy. While they are out of their cage and exploring the room, you should try to take them into another room separate from their habitat. This will ensure that if they need to seek refuge in their safe home.

They will most likely retreat to you rather than their habitat. They consider their house or cage to be a secure environment; however, it is essential that you also make them feel at ease. This establishes you as a safe space for your pet, which fosters a closer relationship.

Good Luck!

We hope that we have successfully helped you come to a choice. Let us know in the comments down below what you concluded from the article and if it had helped in any way. In the end, which bird did you choose?

You can also check our articles about Waterfowl, Great Auk, Goose, Crows, Ostrich and Peacock.

If you enjoyed learning about this fascinating animal why not check out more fantastic facts about other animals: Koalas, Land Animals, Sharks, Raccoons, Moon and Sun Bears, Rats, Chickens, Cats, Pandas, Monkeys and Whales.

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