Lovebirds as Pets ( Pros and Cons)
Last Updated on April 30, 2022 by Ali Shahid
In case you’re planning on adding a bird to your home, chances are that a Lovebird is the first bird that pops into your mind. This adorable little bird loves to hang out with other birds and to preen each other, which makes them one of the best creatures to watch. Although lovebirds are adorable, that doesn’t mean that a lovebird as a pet would be a good choice for you.
Their social nature makes them very close to their owners, resulting in them being very cuddly birds. In addition, lovebirds can be very aggressive, jealous, and territorial if improperly raised and tamed. What are the pros and cons of owning a Lovebird, and are they good pets in general? Find out everything about them.
Lovebirds as Pets
Pros of having a lovebird as a Pet
- Personality
Talking to their owners is a lovebird’s favorite pastime. They do love talking to their owners, even though they cannot communicate like parrots. They are also among the most active birds. When they are around fun and activity, they love to be part of it.
Although they may be shy, lovebirds love to relax on their owners’ shoulders while they wander around the house. Some lovebirds may still be wary, but they can’t resist the temptation of riding on their owner’s shoulders, which builds trust between them.
- Space Savers
A lovebird is a suitable pet for those who lack space in their apartments or houses due to its small size. If you are on a tight budget, then these lovebirds will also require a small amount of food and a small number of toys, so they will be ideal for you.
Small toys and foods can be stored without the need for bulky containers, so they are very convenient to store. You can think of a lovebird cage as a piece of furniture inside your house, even though it is large.
Although they make a little bit of a mess, it isn’t as bad as from big animals, so it is easier to clean up.
- The initial costs
The size and resources required to breed this bird make it a cost-effective bird. Depending on the coloration and species, their prices are only likely to vary. If you decide to get a lovebird, you will not need lots of money, but you will need to invest in a sturdy and long-lasting cage.
Lovebirds require less food than larger species of birds since they do not consume much food. Due to this, you will have a lower initial cost when purchasing lovebirds as opposed to big birds.
- Nutrition
A lovebird has a high level of energy and is very active. As picky eaters, they will need a good diet to remain energetic and full of energy at all times. They will stick to the food that they know, which are seeds if they are not exposed to other varieties of foods during their weaning.
A lovebird’s diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables, pellets, and seeds. When it comes to the lovebird diet, you don’t have to worry about finding it as this is a common household item.
- Toys
To ensure the well-being of these lovebirds, bird toys are very important. They are very clever and, in addition to that, they tend to get bored quite easily. As a result of being left alone for a long time, the lovebirds will have some behavioral issues, and it may not be easy to establish a relationship with them.
It is important to make sure that you buy durable toys for them because bird toys are somewhat expensive. You must replace the toys from time to time to keep your lovebirds interested in their toys once you have bought some durable ones for them.
The lovebirds will become bored and uninterested in the cage if it contains only the same old toy every time. To maintain a good relationship with your birds, it’s important to keep them busy and entertained.
- Cage litter
It is not necessary to have a cage litter. However, it is not necessary to purchase that, but it does make cleaning the cage easier. Using old newspapers, magazines, and phone books as litter or liners can be a good budget option.
- Grooming
The maintenance of lovebirds is extremely important. The feathers, nails, and beaks of these birds require maintenance. They can be kept in good condition with good durable toys. Owners are also free to clip their lovebirds’ wings if they wish.
Depending upon your personal preference, you may opt to clip them or leave them alone. If you choose to clip their wings, this is also a way to tame the birds. In the untamed state, lovebirds will tend to bite at each other and will become aggressive.
Cons of Having Lovebird as a Pet
- Biting
In the case where they are not properly socialized, they will develop a habit of biting with their beaks. When these animals are not familiar with other animals (including birds), or the humans around them, they can become very aggressive.
They may produce vicious behavior toward other animals, as well as against humans.
- Noise
The cries of lovebirds can be very distracting to neighbors, especially since their cries are usually high-pitched and very loud. The cries of a lovebird are particularly loud during specific periods of the day.
- Chewing
The Lovebird, among other things, is also a very active species of bird that enjoys chewing on objects, among other things.
I recommend watching them carefully as soon as they are let out of their cage, and protecting anything they may chew on, such as furniture, electrical wiring, and anything else that they may chew on.
As the preferred medium for chewing them is “paper,” they don’t chew much.
- Can tear up Important Paper
In contrast with their outdoor counterparts, birds kept indoors (unaffected by the seasons) are known to love to tear up paper all year round when they are in the mood for mating, which happens all year round. My lovebird has taught me not to keep important documents around.
What Species of Lovebirds are Good as Pets?
The best pets are generally well-socialized lovebirds. As a breeder and raiser of both masked and eye-rings, as well as peach-faced lovebirds, I have found that the eye-rings are much more difficult to tame. Although my baby eye-ring lovebirds were incredibly beautiful and adorable as babies, I was not able to keep any of them tame even after spending long periods with them.
Although I have heard about several people with black-masked and fisher’s lovebirds as pets as well as insisting that they are wonderful and happy to have them as pets.
During those early years of breeding, I did not have access to the genetics and family traits of a breeding pair which contributed to my difficulty keeping masked lovebirds tame.
That theory appears to be supported by the obvious dedication of owners of masked lovebirds.
Can lovebirds be housed with Other birds?
The belief that lovebirds should be kept in pairs is popular among many people, but it is not necessary – so long as you can spend quality time with your pet.
There is a good chance that a pet lovebird will be a better pet than two lovebirds living together since the lovebird is bonded with you.
The only thing you may want to consider is getting your lovebird a mate if you are only able to spend limited time with him or her. Lovebirds are social birds that need other living things for interaction.
As far as I know, if you manage to pair them up with another species, they behave well with you. Using my lovebird and cockatiel, I have successfully paired the two.
It took some time to get the two animals to interact outside of their cages after keeping them in adjoining cages for some time. I was able to bond with them for a couple of months. They remained friendly to me throughout the entire process!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lovebirds a good choice for beginners?
A Lovebird is one of the most intelligent and affectionate birds that you will ever meet. The lovebird is a species of bird that can be adopted as a pet, although it does require a great deal of work compared to some other species of birds. It is best to keep them as a pair because they require a great deal of attention and affection.
Do love birds like to be pets?
Typically, lovebirds are affectionate and easy to bond with, but they can take a little time to warm up to you. Let your bird settle in and get comfortable for a week or two before handling it. This will allow it to adjust to its surroundings. You can still speak calmly and lovingly to it during this time.
Can I keep a single lovebird?
While lovebirds are highly social birds that thrive on interaction, some bird owners should keep only one lovebird at home.
Conclusion
When you have some extra time to spend with a pet, a lovebird makes an ideal choice for a pet with you to bond with. It’s just a matter of keeping an eye on them every day to ensure they do not become needy pets.
You are not making a short-term investment by getting a lovebird that lives anywhere from 10 to 15 years. The good news is that a Lovebird can be a great addition to your home if you have the patience and the time to dedicate to it.
