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- Habitat |
- Feeding |
- Health |
- Should You Get a Lovebird? |
- Video |
- Expert Interview |
- Q&A |
- Tips |
- Warnings
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. They also tend to be healthier than other birds. Here's how to care for them.
Steps
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Purchase a cage . It should be at least twenty-four to thirty inches wide with two or more perches. The perches should to be small enough to hold the bird's feet.
- Prepare at least three perches of different widths.
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Include plenty of toys, for enrichment. Switch the toys every three or four days (use them in a rotation). [1] X Research source
- Ladders and swings are favorites as well as bamboo rings.
- Always make sure that any toys you add are especially made for birds, as many things are toxic to birds. Take note that lovebirds love to chew!
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Give nutritious foods. To stay healthy, for every meal, a lovebird needs something nutritional. Give it fresh food treats three to four times a week. Lovebirds enjoy fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, banana, papaya and melons. Wholegrain breads are okay, but avoid anything containing high levels of fat, salt and sugar. [3] X Research source
- Always get rid of any uneaten food from the cage, within 12 hours.
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Ask yourself these questions before getting a lovebird: [4] X Research source
- Do I have a safe space to keep this lovebird?
- Do I understand that I am able to provide a home for him at all times? Lovebirds can live for 10 to 20 years.
- Am I financially able to provide for this bird? Fortunately, lovebirds have modest related costs but you will still need to budget for the additional requirements, such as housing and seed.
- Do I have enough time to focus on playing, singing, and talking to this bird?
- Will the noise of this lovebird be bothersome to my family or neighbors? Most families adjust with ease to having a lovebird around. They are not difficult to live with.
- Who will take care of this bird while it lives in our household?
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If you have answered yes, or know the answer to these questions, you are ready to choose a lovebird. Find a reliable breeder or pet store. Check the health guarantee when you purchase your lovebird, in case an illness occurs.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionDo you feed them at night time or every three hours?Community AnswerThey sometimes feel hungry during the night and might wake up to eat. It is usually best for them to have a feeder so they can eat whenever they are hungry.
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QuestionHow do I get the lovebirds to fall asleep?Community AnswerCover the cage so they feel safe enough to sleep.
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QuestionIs it necessary to have two?Community AnswerNo, but if you're not going to be home a lot, it's the compassionate thing to do to have a companion for your bird.
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Video
Tips
- When the lovebird falls sick, take it to the vet immediately.Thanks
- When the lovebird is scared or stressed, try to figure out what is stressing it. Remove the source of stress (including people). It could be a hat, a certain colour, a pattern on a shirt, an odd object - the possibilities are endless.Thanks
- Always keep additional, new lovebirds in a separate cage until you are sure that they get along. Otherwise, you will have a lot of blood on your hands (literally).Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Potty training lovebirds while young is very doable with consistency. Remember they go often, so always be prepared with cage lining — maybe a cute "no poop on mama" reminder!
- Lovebirds are highly social, so pairs do far better than singles for mood and wellness. Loss of a companion can negatively impact them. Give yours bonded friends.
- Normal lovebird behaviors like fluffing up show emotion warnings, not always illness. Understand their body language to know when they simply need gentle space.
- Gradual diet changes allow picky lovebirds to adjust. Switching food constantly risks poor nutrition if they reject new mixes. Find one good primary brand.
- Add enriching cage elements — perches, toys, swings, hiding huts. Rotate new items to prevent boredom. A mentally stimulated lovebird is a happy one!
- Choose a safe, enclosed space for lovebird playtime, like a living room with covered windows and hazards removed. This prevents injuries and escapes.
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Warnings
- Lovebirds are very small so make sure you know where they are if they are on the floor or couch watch where you walk or sit also lovebirds on the floor become toe biters.Thanks
- Lovebirds 'love' to bite. Careful!Thanks
- Make sure you do not use Teflon pans in the house. Teflon fumes kill lovebirds.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about caring for birds, check out our in-depth interview with Roger J. Lederer, PhD .
References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To care for a lovebird, make sure you get a large cage with plenty of space for it to move around and play. Keep a few toys, like ladders, swings, and bamboo rings, in the cage to keep your bird entertained. Remember to clean its cage once a week to keep it fresh and hygienic. You should also change its water daily to keep it clean. In terms of diet, feed it a seed mix that’s recommended for lovebirds. 3 or 4 times a week, give it fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, broccoli, and banana, which contain extra nutrients they need. For more tips, including how to decide if a lovebird is right for you, read on!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 529,880 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I have a beautiful male lovebird who lost his mate who either thinks he is human or that I am a love bird. I recently got a young cockatiel and was pleased to hear that the lovebird and cockatiel in the video clip bonded. The food recommended was a help." ..." more
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"I have a beautiful male lovebird who lost his mate who either thinks he is human or that I am a love bird. I recently got a young cockatiel and was pleased to hear that the lovebird and cockatiel in the video clip bonded. The food recommended was a help."
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"I enjoy the highly informative and user friendly format here. It makes it easy to get to the most pressing issue quickly without having to read through the entire page. (Even though I did read everything, it's nice to know that I don't have to.)"
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"This article was so helpful because I was thinking about purchasing a single love bird that has been on its own for about a week in my local pet shop. So this helped tons. "
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"The posts on pet care have helped me tremendously in choosing a pet. They are so detailed and answer pretty much all of my questions. Thanks, wikiHow! "
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"Well now I know that I need to get a safe area. The other parts are fine. Thanks. This really helped. I will tell you when I have a safe place."
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