5 Fast Facts About Lovebirds (2024)

Pet Bird Species

Small Bird Breeds

By

Alyson Kalhagen

Alyson Kalhagen

Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds andhas been featured in Bird Talk Magazine.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Editorial Process

Updated on 01/04/22

Reviewed by

Natasha Diehl

Reviewed byNatasha Diehl

Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Veterinary Review Board

5 Fast Facts About Lovebirds (2)

Lovebirds are one of the most popular pet parrot species, and for those who are familiar with them, it's no surprise. Beautiful and intelligent, these little birds have been one of the most beloved types of African parrot for more than 100 years. However, there are a lot of myths out there about lovebirds, their behavior, and what it's like to keep them as pets. If you're interested in learning more about what lovebirds are like, then you should read on to discover basic facts about these feisty little birds.

  • 01 of 05

    Lovebirds Normally Don't Talk

    5 Fast Facts About Lovebirds (3)

    Although they are a type of parrot, and they do have the ability to mimic human speech, lovebirds are not among those species that most would considertalking birds. This is because they very rarely decide to speak, and if they do choose to mimic a sound, more often than not they repeat simple noises such as whistles or household sounds such as doorbells and microwaves. It is not known why some lovebirds are more prone to mimicking speech than others, but it is widely believed that those who do learn to talk are taught from a very young age.

  • 02 of 05

    There Are Several Types of Lovebirds

    There are many different types of lovebirds. There are nine separate sub-species of these little parrots, each carrying their distinct traits and characteristics. These include the masked lovebird, the black-cheeked lovebird, the Fischer's lovebird, the Nyasa lovebird, the Swindern's lovebird, the red-faced Lovebird, the Abyssinian lovebird, the Madagascar lovebird, and the beloved peach-faced lovebird. The peach-faced lovebird, which is the most popular, can be identified by the rainbow of yellow, green, and blue on their bodies as well as their bright peachy-pink faces. While the different types of lovebirds have differences in looks and temperament, on average, all of the lovebirds will live for up to 20 years in captivity.

  • 03 of 05

    Lovebirds Are One of the Smallest Parrot Species

    While they are true parrots, lovebirds are one of the smallest members of the parrot family. On average, most lovebirds fall between 5 and 7 inches in length at maturity, when measured from the beak to the end of the tailfeathers. Their small size has worked to push their popularity among those who live in apartments and other small spaces. Many of these bird lovers have found it easier to house and care for these little birds instead of attempting to keep a larger parrot species such as a macaw or a co*ckatoo.

  • 04 of 05

    Lovebirds Are Not Always Best Kept in Pairs

    It is a widely purported myth that you should never own a solitary lovebirdand that if they are not kept in pairs, they will die of depression. While it is true that they are extremely social birds who thrive on interaction and must be socially stimulated, in many cases, bird owners should keep single lovebirds. This is because these birds breed readily in captivity, and most bird owners are not capable of caring for an entire family of parrots. It is also worth noting that birds kept in pairs tend to bond with each other and shun human interaction. Those who would like their bird to be affectionate and open to being handled by human hands have found that it's best to keep birds by themselvesand devote as much time as possible to playing and socializing with them so that their needs are met.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below

  • 05 of 05

    Lovebirds Are Very Active

    Like all parrots, lovebirds are extremely active birds that need quite a bit of exercise to stay in top physical condition. Those interested in adopting a lovebird must be willing and prepared to give their feathered friend a bird-safe place to play outside of its cage for several hours per day. This will allow the bird to exercise all of the muscle groups that it needs to stay healthy, as well as provide important mental stimulation that these very intelligent animals need.

FAQ

  • What do lovebirds eat?

    Lovebirds eat seeds, grasses, fruits, and vegetables.

  • How do lovebirds sleep?

    Lovebirds hang onto the sides of their cage when it's time for some shut-eye.

  • Why are lovebirds called lovebirds?

    Lovebirds are called lovebirds because of the strong bond they have with their monogamous mate.

5 Fast Facts About Lovebirds (2024)

FAQs

5 Fast Facts About Lovebirds? ›

Lovebirds Don't Require a Partner

Although these highly social birds travel in flocks in the wild and often are kept in pairs as pets, it is possible to have a single bird that will thrive. In fact, a solitary lovebird will bond deeply with a person who invests time and patience in its care and training.

What is a fun fact about lovebirds? ›

Lovebirds Don't Require a Partner

Although these highly social birds travel in flocks in the wild and often are kept in pairs as pets, it is possible to have a single bird that will thrive. In fact, a solitary lovebird will bond deeply with a person who invests time and patience in its care and training.

How far can lovebirds fly? ›

Lovebirds, being social birds, prefer to stay close to their owners and their cage. They are not strong fliers and typically fly short distances if they are allowed to fly freely. Lovebirds might fly a few meters from their cage, but they often return to the safety and comfort of their familiar surroundings.

What makes lovebirds unique? ›

Lovebirds are monogamous, meaning they bond with their mate for life. Some love birds are androgynous, meaning that it is very hard to tell whether they are male or female. They can live up to 15 years. They love to eat seeds, fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and berries.

What are lovebirds famous for? ›

Social and affectionate, the name comes from the parrots' strong, monogamous pair bonding and the long periods which paired birds spend sitting together. Lovebirds live in small flocks and eat fruit, vegetables, grasses, and seeds.

What happens if one lovebird dies? ›

Grieving Process After the Loss Of A Mate

The loss of their companion can leave them feeling lost and alone as they search for a new way to fill the void. The mourning period after the death of a mate may vary in length and intensity depending on the bird's personality and behavior.

Why do lovebirds always kiss? ›

Lovebirds have very strong pair-bonds, which are reinforced with a lot of allopreening (grooming each other). They're not kissing, but they are engaging in a social bond activity.

Can birds fly 10,000 feet? ›

Vultures sometimes rise over 10,000 feet in order to scan larger areas for food (and to watch the behavior of distant vultures for clues to the location of a feast).

How big can lovebirds get? ›

The lovebird is a small stocky parrot between 5.1-6.7 inches (13-17 cm). They have a large bill and a tail that is either round or square.

Are lovebirds smart? ›

Lovebirds are a popular type of parrot. They are beautiful and intelligent, and as pets, they make good companions. As their name suggests, they form loving bonds with their monogamous mate.

Do lovebirds dream? ›

Based on these observations, Behroozi suggests that birds may dream during REM sleep, possibly even reliving their flight experiences in their dreams. Another intriguing finding was the activation of the amygdala during REM sleep. This implies that birds, like humans, may experience emotional content in their dreams.

How do lovebirds sleep? ›

Lovebirds generally like to sleep on the highest perch in their cage. Like all parrots, they need at least 10 hours of quality dark sleep time every night. Please check if he is overfed or any new food is given. Otherwise pets like co*ckatiel are very active and carry out the orders by their caretakers immediately.

Are lovebirds loud? ›

Parakeets are only moderately noisy and will twitter away with one another. Lovebirds are quite a bit louder and much more shrill and piercing with their whistles. They are engaging little pets but they are noisy.

Are lovebirds endangered? ›

Described as Near Threatened by Birdlife International, the population of Fischer's lovebirds has declined by about 30% over just three generations since the 1970s and it has been estimated that there are between 200,000 and 1,000,000 remaining in the wild.

Do lovebirds love sun? ›

Lovebirds need exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light to produce vitamin D in their skin so they can absorb dietary calcium. Glass windows filter out UV light, so placing their habitat next to an indoor window is not enough. Birds get natural UV exposure by spending time outside in an escape-proof cage each day.

Why are they called lovebirds? ›

They belong to the genus Agap*rnis, which literally means “birds that love each other“. After a courtship ritual, in which the male shows his love by pecking, a pair of male and female is formed and will be linked for life.

Why are lovebirds called lovebirds? ›

As their name suggests, lovebirds are known for the loving, attentive bond they tend to form with their mates.

What do lovebirds love the most? ›

Some suggested food items include:
AppleCherries (not the pit)Pear
Beans (cooked) such as:CornPlum
chick peaCucumberPomegranate
kidneyDandelion leavesPotato
lentilsEndivePumpkin
15 more rows

How smart are lovebirds? ›

They are smart, sociable and very loving, and often want nothing more than to spend time with their owners or another bird they have bonded with. Though they need a lot of attention, owners will find lovebirds to be some of the most devoted pets.

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