Lovebird Care

Peachfaced Lovebirds are small parrots from west Africa. They are easy to keep as pets and are very easy to raise for breeding. Here is some information to help you care for your lovebird.

HOUSING: Lovebirds need a cage which has at least two to three places to perch, with room to fly from one to the other. A cage with a horizontal measurement of 24 inches to 30 inches is appropriate. Anything less than 18 inches would be too small and restrictive. Perches need to be a size which is comfortable for the birds feet, not too small or too large.

It is convenient to have two sets of food and water dishes so that they can be alternated and washed each day. Water must be changed and the dish washed every day. Food dishes can stay longer, with food added each day if preferred, but food dishes do need to be completely emptied, washed, and refilled at least once a week. Caution -- food dishes sometimes look full, but only have seed hulls and waste in them, with no good food for the bird!

Lovebirds need activity in the cage to stay healthy. Swings, ladders, and interlocked bamboo rings are favorites. The 6 inch cockatiel swings are the best size for lovebirds. Pet departments or stores have many choices in toys for pet birds. Avoid small toys designed for parakeets and budgies. Lovebirds have very strong beaks for chewing and can break these items. Toys designed for cockatiels and small parrots are the right size for lovebirds. Lovebirds love to play!

FOOD: All of our birds are on a mix of roudybush pellets & a good seed mix. Plus lots of fresh foods daily. We start our birds out on fresh food as soon as we can so the birds are willing to accept a wide varitty of foods.

Lovebirds need the same size food as cockatiels and other small parrots. If you plan to feed your birds a seed mix, choose one which contains nutritional supplements to assure a "total diet" to keep birds healthy. Other less expensive seed mixes, or seeds sold for wild birds will not have all the nutrients your bird needs, although they can also be used if you provide lots of fresh foods. I do not recommend a seed only diet. Note --pellet diets like Kaytee Exact or Pretty Bird are nutritionally complete and very good for birds, though some birds will be slow to accept them. Birds that are used to seeds will need to be given adequate time to adjust and learn to eat a pellet-only diet.

Try to give fresh foods at least 3 or 4 times a week. Our birds love apples, broccoli, cabbage, kale, carrots, parsley, and spinach. You can try other vegetables and fruits, too. Our birds also like corn tortillas (not salted tortilla chips) and whole grain breads. Don't feed anything with high fat, salt, or sugar content, like donuts, cake, or cookies. Caution -- remember to remove any uneaten fresh food from the cage before it spoils.

Try to keep cuttlebone in the cage all the time to provide calcium for the bird. Millet sprays, sometimes called "seed trees" are a good treat.

OTHER NOTES: Lovebirds are very hardy and do not need to be kept particularly warm all the time, but should not be exposed to freezing conditions.

Lovebirds like to bathe frequently. The will bathe in their water dishes if the dishes are large enough. If not you can sit a shallow dish of water in the cage occasionally for their use. They also like to be sprayed with water mist once in a while. This helps keep their feathers in good condition.

CAUTION! -- If your bird is to be kept in or near the kitchen be very careful not to over heat Teflon pans or appliances. When Teflon gets too hot it gives off fumes which are toxic to birds! The bird may die with respiratory distress. Teflon coated irons and other items can also be very dangerous. Use only stainless steel cookware or copper around birds.

Other household dangers can be:

Other pets, even other birds. Never house a lovebird with a large bird even if they get along outside the cage. I've seen lots of lovebirds in the same cage as a cockatiel & it's just not a good idea.

Scented Candles, & air freshners. They can be toxic to birds.

Smoke: Smoke from over cooked food, or cigaret smoke. Birds have very sensitive lungs, much more sensitive than humans. NEVER smoke around your bird (smoke outside) & if you do smoke wash your hands before handling your bird. Nicotine on your hands can be absorbed though their feet, and can kill your bird.

VETERINARY CARE: If your bird seems sick, or has been injured, seek the help of a qualified avian veterinarian. Most veterinarians see very few birds, and have little experience diagnosing and treating them. Ask for recommendations from your local bird club or pet store. It is best to find a good vet before any problems arise, so that you will know who to go to if there is an emergency.

Take your time when shopping for a bird cage. Shop around your local pet store or search for bird cages online. Try to get the biggest cage you can afford. The bigger the better!

More information can be found at The African Lovebird Society~CLICK HERE

1.) Lovebirds have to be kept in pairs
Thats false. I've heard this one over and over again. No one really knows where this myth came from but it's been around for years. It was more than likely thought up by a pet store that wanted to sale more birds. I've even heard a few people claim that lovebirds will died if housed alone. That is completely untrue.
Maybe it's the cuteness of a lovebird pair or the fact that they love to cuddle that fuels this myth. Lovebirds are very social birds and love attention. If you don't plan on holding your lovebird much than a pair can be ok. But there are issues that come a long with having a pair. The birds will normally bond with each other and forget about the owner. Birds don't always get along, two female lovebirds housed together may fight. What if the birds breed? Do you have a plan for the babies? Again a signal lovebird will make a great and loving pet for many years. So there is no need to get a pair but if you do want more than one sweet bird just house them in different cages.

2.) Lovebirds become mean and bitty
Not true. Now while all birds are different bonded hand-fed lovebirds don't normally become mean. I recommend playing with your lovebird (or any type of pet bird) for at least an hour a day.
Female lovebirds that are not handled can become cage protective. If a female is left a lone and allowed to lay eggs she can become protective of the eggs and then show signs of aggression.

Cooked Millet:

2 to 4- T red palm oil
1- Cup raw millet seeds
2- Cups water
1- T honey (optional)

Start by melting some red palm oil in a large pan (don't use non-stick around birds) Red palm oil is great for birds, especially their feathers!
Once the oil has coated the pan add millet seeds and toast for a few minutes. Raw millet seed can be found at many heath food stores. Boil 2 cups of water in a medium pot. Once your millet is toasted up add it and all the oil to the boiling water. Reduce the water to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes. Uncover and cook an additional 10 minutes or unlit water is absorbed (stir often so it does not burn to the bottom). Allow to cool and serve!

My birds love this, you can even add a little honey for something sweet. Refrigerate the leftovers and give to your birds daily.

Pinecone Treat:
Pinecone
Red Palm Oil or Peanut Putter (suger free peanut butter is better)
Healthy Seed Mix
Twine or bird safe rope for hanging

Using a normal pinecone, make sure it's from an area or yard that has not been treaded with pesticides or fertilizer. Or cleaned pinecones can be purchased online (Just make sure they are for birds not crafts)
If using your own pinecone wash it in hot water & let the pinecone soak for about 5 mins.
Pre-heat oven to 300 and place pinecone on backing sheet for about 10 mins or until pinecone re-opens. This removes any sap & kills any bugs on the pinecone.

Next warm up some Red Palm Oil or use soften peanut butter. Spread all over the pinecone leaving a space up top so you can wrap some twin or bird safe rope to hang it. Then roll the pinecone around in your seed mixture until it is nice & coated. We've found that dipping the pinecone in a bowl full of seeds works best. Next refrigerate for 10 mins & tie on twine or hanger.

Birds will have fun picking all the seeds off & destroying the pinecone!!