LoveBirds ( breeding , cage , toys ,food)

 

 

General:
The loving lovebird is an adorable, stout little parrot with a short tail. They developed their name because of the way they sit in pairs very close grooming and preening one another. There are a variety of beautiful mutations available such as cinnamon, albino, lutino, pieds and variations of black and blue. Lovebirds are not talkers but they do enjoy chattering throughout the day.

They are easy to train to perform tricks such as giving kisses, waving a foot, and "stepping up" on a finger. Playful and entertaining, the lovebird is an affectionate companion parrot.


Environment:
Lovebird parrots originate from Africa. There are 9 different species that include the Peach Face, Fischer's, Masked or Black Masked, Black Collared, and the rarer species, the Lilian's (also called Nyasa), Black - Cheeked, Abyssinian, Red Faced, and Madagascar.


Diet:
A proper daily diet for lovebirds consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, a high quality cockatiel seed mix, and formulated parrot pellets. Sprouts are a favorite and are available at your supermarket in alfalfa, bean, or broccoli. Fresh water should be given twice daily, removing any contaminated water bowls and replenishing with fresh. Check out  the fresh foods you should be feeding your parrot on our fresh food list.

                          

Breeding:
Breeding lovebirds can bring happiness and joy when a proper foundation is set up correctly for these sometimes unpredictable birds. Lovebirds are not sexually dimorphic, meaning male and female cannot visually be determined. There are a few simple ways of trying to determine the sex, these methods are just basics and are not an accurate prediction of whether the lovebird is male or female.

A hen is usually a little broader and often perches with her legs a little further apart than a cock does. A females pelvic bones can be a little further apart and you may be able to feel the difference by gently feeling with your finger.

A DNA test is the more practical guaranteed procedure. This can be done through sending a blood sample through the mail to a lab or taking the bird to an avian veterinarian. Once pairs have bonded, the exciting journey can begin. When breeding more than one pair of lovebirds, it is recommended for these parrots to be able to hear each other but not see one another for effective breeding results.

Once the female starts to nest, she will lay four to six eggs, laying one every other day. Incubation is on average 24 days. Those that are choosing to handfeed these little bundles can pull them from the nest at 2 1/2 weeks. Lovebirds will wean at about 8 weeks of age, some a bit earlier or later.

Captivity:
Lovebirds are hardy, playful, and sweet!  Most birds love to take a bath and should be misted daily with a good spray bottle or mister from a reputable pet store. The bird cage should be placed where the family spends the most time, typically the living or dining room. We highly recommend purchasing an acrylic cage or your bird to be housed in.  


This species is known to become untame if kept in a cage for a majority of its life. It is best to give social and physical attention to them daily with frequent outings of the bird cage. A small parrot play gym is a nice place to have them perch while the family is doing daily activities. Lovebirds make great companion pets for those looking for a smaller parrot.