Love birds for a parrot newbie?

Hi there!
I’ve just joined this forum for some help on my first bird. I’ve only owned chickens previously so I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m in no rush and am happy to do as much reaserch as I need. I’ve done a little bit and loved the look of love birds. Time wise I can easily put in 4 hours a day to the bird on a week day and at least 6 hours on a weekend day. I had a little look at cages and prices and found the biggest cage I could afford at the moment is 30x21x35, this is with left over money for perches, toys and other things he or she would need. I do live with other people however so quite during the night would be important, otherwise bring on the noise! While I would be the primary owner there would be other people to interact with the bird. Would the bird be ok with this? Would they be able to hold the bird as well or would they just be able to look? I’m looking for a curious bird, lots of character and happy to hang out with me. Is there anything else I would need to take into consideration and anything else I need to know/ do?

Katej said:

Hi there!
I’ve done a little bit and loved the look of love birds.

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I also love the look of the wild type Masked Lovebird.

One of my dreams is to have a set up like this with just Wild type Maskeds in them

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nz3FOpMEcM"]Agapornis Personata 21 - YouTube[/ame]


But then looks are not everything. There are other things to consider. I find the high pitched squeaks of lovebirds a bit annoying especially if there are more than 6 birds.

Much prefer the soft chirps of Budgies and the sweeps of the Cockatiels.

And also lovebirds can be aggressive to each other. A lovebird quarrel can end in death, whereas a budgie squabble would probably just involve shedding 3 or 4 drops of blood.

Hi and welcome! Lovies can be quite cute, but, as a whole, aren’t very cuddly! They tend to be very skittish, and unless handled constantly, seem to loose trust! So I have been told!!

Katej said:

Hi there!
While I would be the primary owner there would be other people to interact with the bird. Would the bird be ok with this? Would they be able to hold the bird as well or would they just be able to look? I’m looking for a curious bird, lots of character and happy to hang out with me. Is there anything else I would need to take into consideration and anything else I need to know/ do?

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This is entirely up to the bird and how you and the people interact with it. Hopefully I'll be bringing home a lovebird this weekend, waiting for test results to come back. The two lovebirds that people own and I interact with are sweet and let me handle them. The one I am bringing home is very scared because he was left alone in a cage for 6 months, but he doesnt bite and eventually falls asleep in my hand. It'll take time but I think he will be a great buddy for me.

KateJ, I dont know if lovebirds would make the best bird for first time bird owners. But it could very well be if you find the right lovebird. I tend to think lovebirds are not great around kids as they bite very hard with their little beaks, a lot harder than a cockatiel.

I was supposed to be bringing home a baby violet *blue peachfaced but he tested positive for pbfd, so they are going to to have to put him down and i know longer trust that breeder. Here is what may be coming home with me.

The cage size you mentioned is a good size. Slightly smaller than mine, not including the stand.

Dont go hunting for a 'beginner bird'. Visit rescues, specialty stores, clubs etc and get a feel for a few different species. I had a list of three, and then when Henry came up for adoption he seemed to pick us as much as we did him and that's worked well.

Skittles, our lovie, is a cracker little parrot. He can handle his own if he's out with the big boys, he mimics a few different sounds, words and expressions, and he is super colourful! My daughter has had chronic health issues, and he's very good with her and netflix, usually choosing to hang out in the hood of her jersey. They are vibrant, feisty little birds that are well worth your consideration as you move forward with your journey

Welcome and be welcomed. I suggest that you get one, not 2 lovies. They will more likely bond with each other then you. Lovies also need to be handled daily so they remain tame. Some parrots are just like that, Indian ringnecks also have that reputation. But you sound like you've done some homework, and will be a loving parront.

Lovebirds are like no other.



But then, so are each and every individual bird.


I've had 2 lovebirds now in my life. They are funny, impish, very sweet, very loud, jealous.... They honestly are sort of similar to a very intense budgie. Sort of. They also don't generally live super long. A cockatiel will probably easily outlive a lovie. Of course genetics play a huge roll.



My current lovebird, Pistol, is such a funny little dude. They are not "easy", but imo they are well worth the effort. Pistol is currently trying to 187 (murder death kill) my phone, a longstanding rivalry because I sometimes pay attention to it and not him (how *dare* I??)


Pistol is a pretty friendly bird, he likes my boyfriend and tolerates the vet, etc, but I am his person. And I play second fiddle most days to Fatty Dingdong. I try to keep him and fatty apart because they both turn suuuper aggro to humans when they are together.



Imo lovebirds are stupidly underrated. They are fabulous amazing wonderful funny little troublemaker birds. They require ddaaiillyy attention. Seriously. If you cannot commit to daily bird time EVERY DAY, I vote you pick another species, especially for a first bird in a home with other people. But, if you can commit to daily attention for realsies and for truesies, and are willing to work on issues as they crop up, and socialize your lovie with the other people in the house, it could totally work. They really are wonderful little birds. A well socialized lovebird is really a wonderful companion. But they are loud, opinionated, needy, bitey. Also cuddly as heck.... Can you tell I am a fan of lovebirds?


From phone

wrench13 said:

Welcome and be welcomed. I suggest that you get one, not 2 lovies. They will more likely bond with each other then you. Lovies also need to be handled daily so they remain tame. Some parrots are just like that, Indian ringnecks also have that reputation. But you sound like you've done some homework, and will be a loving parront.

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Exactly! If you want a Lovebird, and you want it to be a very close, cuddly, loving pet that is closely bonded to you, this is very possible, BUT YOU CAN'T GET MORE THAN 1 LOVEBIRD! People often buy pairs of Lovebirds, I guess because they just think that they have to buy them in pairs. And I'm pretty sure that this is the reason that in-general Lovebirds are not thought of as being "cuddly" or loving birds towards humans. However, if you only have a single Lovebird, just like any other species of parrot, they will bond with their human if there isn't a "better" option, meaning another bird of their own species.

I highly suggest that not only do you get only 1 Lovebird, but that you only buy one from a private-breeder who hand-raises/hand-feeds their babies, and who pulls them from the nest-box and away from the parents between 2-3 weeks old (most breeders who hand-raise/hand-feed their babies do pull them either at 2 weeks old or 3 weeks old). Do not buy a parent-raised bird from a pet shop, not that they can't be hand-tamed over time, they can, but it since you have no prior parrot experience and you are looking for a loving, cuddly bird, a hand-raised/hand-fed baby from a private Lovebird breeder is definitely the way to go for you. And you shouldn't have a problem finding a Lovebird breeder locally to you, as they seem to be all over the place if you look on your local Craigslist and search outward locally to your hometown.

Once you are ready to bring a baby home (always buy the cage, toys, food, mineral block/cuttlebone, etc. BEFORE you buy the baby bird, and have it set-up and ready for him when you go to get him), and you have the cage, toys, food, etc. all ready and set-up for your baby, then start searching for a private breeder that has hand-raised/hand-fed babies, and contact them, asking if you can come and interact with the babies that they have available. You never want to just pick a baby from photos that the breeder has online, but rather make an appointment to come and see them and interact with them, so you can choose a baby that you connect with and who connects with you. This is why I suggest having the cage, toys, food, etc. set-up and ready to go before you go and interact with any available babies, because once you find one that you connect with, you'll want to bring him home, and you need to be ready to do so.

As long as you are spending the amount of time every single day that you say you can with your baby, it will bond closely with you, and there should be no issue with a hand-raised/hand-fed baby being friendly with other people in your home. As far as people who do not live with you, you can't anticipate how any bird/dog/cat or any pet is going to interact with them. The best thing you can do is to try to socialize your bird as a young baby, from day #1 when you bring him home. I always recommend that even though the bird is going to be your bird, that you locate his main-cage in the main room of the house you live in, where the people who live in the house spend most of their time when they're home. Usually this is the living room, family room, den, etc. This is very important to socializing the bird to people, being used to just being around people even if they are not directly interacting with them, being used to people walking past their cage and talking to them, and it also allows the bird to feel safe and comfortable enough that people are just in the same room as they are, they can see them as well as hear them, and they will then be happy entertaining themselves with their toys inside their cage, even when you're not home...If you were to locate your bird's main-cage in say your own bedroom, what is going to happen is that when you're not home and your bird is inside his cage and alone in your room, any time you're not home but anyone else is at home, and your bird can hear that someone is home but he can't also see them, your bird is going to most-likely not want to entertain himself but rather scream and cry all day long until you get home. This always happens, as any loving, tame bird who is bonded to a human will not be happy if they can hear someone at home but cannot also see them. The people in your house don't have to be directly interacting with them, they can do whatever they are doing, whether it be watching TV, playing video games, reading, cooking, etc., just as long as your bird's cage is located in the room where the people in your house spend their time. Then when you come home you can get your bird out of the main cage in the living room, family room, etc., and take him into your bedroom to spend one-on-one time with him (it's a good idea to buy or make a little bird-stand/play-gym for your room). This will ensure that your bird bonds closely with you, but still is friendly with the others in your house, and hopefully all people.

Also, don't worry about having his main cage in the main room of your home and "nighttime" or "sleeping", as all you need to do is when it's bedtime for your bird you put him in his cage in the living room, family room, etc. and cover it with a sheet/blanket/cover. He'll sleep soundly and the people in your house can still watch TV, read, listen to music, etc., and it won't bother him one bit...OR you can also buy a much cheaper, smaller cage to put in your room that will only be his "sleeping cage", and when it's bedtime you can move him from his main-cage in the living room/family room to his sleeping-cage in your bedroom and the cover it. A sleeping-cage for a Lovebird only needs to be a small, square cage that is the size of an average Budgie cage, like the ones you can buy at any Petco for around $30-$40. All that should be in his sleeping-cage is a perch, maybe a swing (only if your individual bird likes swings and sleeps on one), and a water dish. No toys in the sleeping cage...

itchyfeet said:

he mimics a few different sounds, words and expressions, and he is super colourful! )

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Wow! I would love to see a video. Never knew lovebirds could mimic, at least not human speech.

Lovebirds are great little creatures but they need a LOT of attention lol! They are so needy and demanding aha. I have noticed that there is a personality difference when it comes to the genders. Females are generally more outgoing, hormonal, and like to get into everything while males tend to be calmer and laid back. Most first-time Lovebird owners go for the males as they are generally easier to handle.

I also like to point out Lovebirds can be cuddly, and loving and all that good stuff. I would recommend getting one from either a shelter or a breeder that was handfed and used to human interaction.

I also wanted to say it is not 100% essential for you to get one if you want them to bond to you. If you get two untamed lovebirds or ones that have not been handled much they will bond to each other. However, if you get lovebirds from a breeder that has spent extensive time with them and have handfed them etc they will want to bond with you because that is what they are used to and want. I have four siblings living together for over a year now that I have raised and handfed and they always choose me every time over spending time with each other because I have spent so much time with them when they are young and still spend so much time with them now. And they keep each other company when I am not with them so they don't get lonely.

I won't necessarily say you have to get two but just know that you will have to spend a LOT of time with the little guy and they will want to be with you 24/7. They are very demanding! LOL

Also, remember when a breeder says handfed it doesn't always mean they are tame. You can handfed a bird all you want but by the time they are weaned, they can be just as untamed as a bird that was parent raised if they didn't spend much time with them outside of handfeeding.

Just wanted to throw my two cents. lol good luck on getting your new friend!

I can attest to how amazing lovies are. I have had 2- Obie, my first, and am working on gaining trust with Umbri, my second.

They are amazing little birds. So much personality. They never stop moving, and while every bird is different, my Obie was very much a cuddler. So happy to sit on me and preen and doze off.

They are incredible active, so the larger the cage the better. I have mine in a prevue cage with a playtop, and it's 57'' H x 18'' W x 18'' D. A playtop is ideal as they need to be entertained while they are out or they will get into EVERYTHING. A wrought-iron cage is best. They have deceptively powerful little beaks and would have no trouble bending a cage meant for canaries or finches.

Mine have always been quiet at night and until I uncover them in the mornings. They don't seem to get night frights like other birds, either, which is nice.

I wouldn't pen them a beginner bird, per se- they are very sassy and very hard-headed and man, can they bite. They are little but they're very willful and if they're angry they have no problem digging that little hookbill into you and drawing blood. Of course, all birds can bite, but lovie bites, I would say, are nasty for their small size. lol

If you have lots of patience and don't mind being nipped, I would say go for it. They're amazing little companions and their love is unparalleled. When I first got my Obie, he wouldn't touch me for the first week, and up until recently towards the end of his life he wouldn't leave me alone. They do seem to be velcro-birds, but they're the best kind. :heart:

EDIT: regarding other people handling your bird, yes! Socialize your bird! A well-socialized bird is a better bird. Your birdie will be a bit unsure at first, but the more human interaction he gets- from everyone- the better.

I have owned two lovebirds. They are the only parrots I have ever owned. Although I have known other parrots.Both lovebirds are rescue birds, both female.



In my experience:


They are afraid of human hands. Neither would ever perch on my finger.



They tend to get hormonal, and are often nesty. They are always looking for places to build a nest. They are always looking to shred anything they can get their beaks on to use as nesting material.



They are very fussy eaters. They will never eat anything they don't recognize as food. People constantly say to feed them vegetables, neither of mine would eat any vegetable other than corn. My current lovebird will not even eat fruit. My previous lovebird would eat apples, and bananas, but they had to be fresh.


Neither of my lovebirds were very playful, or affectionate. Especially my present one. They are much more interested in matters of procreation - nesting and laying eggs.


They do not talk, but will imitate sounds. They will imitate my tongue clicking, and whistling. They will also imitate other birds. My present bird imitates sea birds she hears on television.

Walterbyrd's lovies not liking hands is a reason I would not recommend a rescue for a beginner, unless you have visited the bird numerous times and gotten a feel for its behaviour. I have not had this problem with Obie- he was completely comfortable with hands and loved chewing fingernails, lol.

As a newbie to parrots you don't want to take on a bird with potential baggage and behavioural issues. I am always an advocate for adopting animals rather than purchasing, but sometimes this isn't the best idea if you're just starting out.

I also would start with one if you want a companion bird. You can have 2 birds as companion birds, but they will look less to you as a friend because they'll already have each other. If you do want 2, start with one, form a relationship with it, and then get another one down the road.