What Can You Expect When You Adopt Lovebirds?
While you might not think about it all that much, there are many, many different pets that people can own. Most people own cats or dogs, but there are quite a few other options to choose from.
For example, some people choose to adopt aquatic animals, such as fish and crabs. Other people choose to adopt amphibians and reptiles, working throughout the day to make sure that their homes are as comfortable as possible. Then, there are some people who want to own birds. Birds can have surprisingly large personalities, making them an excellent companion for anyone who doesn’t want a traditional cat or dog. One of the most common and most beautiful breeds of bird that people choose to adopt is the lovebird.
Before you can adopt a lovebird, you will first want to make sure that you fully understand where the birds come from, how they behave, what they need, and what you will need to pay attention to health-wise. Just as with traditional pets, caring for a bird is a commitment that you will have to make. Like with dogs, you are going to need to schedule time for your bird to fly freely, and you are going to need to make sure that your bird stays happy and healthy. The first step to caring for lovebirds is going to be to learn everything about them.
Where Do Lovebirds Come From?
There are about nine species of lovebird around the world, although almost all of them live in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. This means that they are primarily located in Africa and the surrounding islands. They also have the tendency to group toward cities in Africa, as this is where people tend to be and that often means that there will be scraps of food lying around that the birds can eat.
The main way that people around the world get their hands on these vibrantly colored beauties is through export. With that being said, there have actually been sightings of wild lovebirds elsewhere. There is a very slim chance that these birds are just ones that escaped their homes, as their prevalence suggests that some birds have made themselves a home in other countries.
One of the other major places where you might be able to see a wild lovebird is in the North American Southwest. This includes states such as California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and so on. San Francisco is a common area where you might have the chance to see some wild lovebirds. Most people believe that the flocks of lovebirds outside of Africa are feral populations, birds that have escaped from an aviary somewhere, or are the last birds remaining in an aviary.
What Do Lovebirds Look Like?
Lovebirds are small, but vibrantly colored birds that have a loud personality. Of course, different species of lovebirds are going to look a little bit different than the others in terms of color, but most of them remain about the same size. Generally, these birds come in between five and seven inches tall from head to tail feather, making them one of the smallest species of parrot around. Lovebirds are stockier than their budgie cousins and they also have shorter, stubbier tail feathers than other birds do. They have a hooked beak and zygodactyl feet (two toes face forward, two toes face backward), coming from their parrot ancestry.
They can come in a large variety of bright colors, depending on the specific breed. Almost all of the lovebird species have their iconic white ring around their eyes. Many birds are yellow, red, orange, or somewhere between these colors. These can either be the color of the lovebird’s head and chest, or it could be the main color of their body. Other lovebirds will have black wings, black collars, or even just black cheeks. There are plenty of lovebirds that have different patterns of color across their front. Knowing which breed of lovebird you are working with is going to be important in making sure that it gets the care that it deserves.
How Do Lovebirds Behave?
Lovebirds get their name from their personality. These birds are very loving and very devoted to their partners. This is one of the many reasons why you should adopt a pair of lovebirds if you are planning to give them the most in life. They are smart, and will sometimes try to boss other animals and other birds with them. These birds mate for life and they are very affectionate with those that it forms a bond with. If you are able to form a bond with your lovebird, then you can rest assured knowing that you will have a lifelong companion.
As the name of the bird might suggest, these are birds that crave attention, specifically social attention. You will need to play with the bird, pet the bird, feet the bird, and hold the bird however it wants. This is just part of the big commitment you need to make when it comes to bringing a pet into the house. Do keep in mind that especially if you drive to work and work for the majority of the day away from home, getting your bird a mate is a must. It is not quite as much of an urgent must if you work from home, but it can improve this social bird’s life immensely.
These birds are also energetic and enjoy playing with you when you have the chance. Interactive toys and puzzles designed for intelligent birds is a good investment to make when you are planning on adopting a pair of lovebirds. If you have the space for it, you might even want to set up a room that is completely escape-free. This will allow the bird an area it can fly around joyfully in without making you worry about it escaping the home.
What Kind of Care Do Lovebirds Need?
There are a couple of things that you should keep in mind when you are planning to house lovebirds in your home. For one, you should invest in a cage that is capable of holding two lovebirds comfortably. There should be ample space for each bird to move and fly around as it pleases. The general guideline for a lovebird cage size is 18 inches in width, 18 inches in depth, and 24 inches in height. The metal bar spacing should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch apart from each other so that your lovebirds do not hurt themselves.
When you are placing the cage, you should place it off the floor and ensure that it remains in a well-lit area that is not exposed to drafts. When you are taking care of your lovebirds, it will be incredibly important for you to make sure that the lovebird is properly socialized. This ensures that your lovebird will remain yours forever.
How Is the Lovebird’s Health?
Lovebirds tend to be pretty healthy when it comes to a bird’s health. There aren’t too many conditions that you need to be wary of, but it is also important for you to know the signs when something bad does occur. Generally, these birds live between 12 and 15 years in captivity. Before you know it, you will have a pair of friendly lovebirds, and they will be more than ready to vocalize their feelings.
